I tried so hard.

aerorunner80, ADN, BSN, MSN, APRN · Feb 19, 2009

I don't have any good words of wisdom or anything like that.

I just wanted to let you know that you're not alone. I'm normally an A student and have made B's on our two exams and am so frustrated for the same reasons you state. I work my butt off and put a lot of time and I still get a B.

oldfashionedlove · Feb 19, 2009

:heartbeatHonestly, it is really very hard. I really want to go into nursing but I am so worried about the 75 being passing that I am afraid to try. I am a B or B+ student but I got two C's and I had to leave. I am looking for school that accepts C's. It is really less stress for me. I am wondering if I get into Seton Hall I was told that 2 C's are passing. I am very worried myself because nursing is very hard. I really feel like maybe some area of health care i less stress for me but I really want to go into another area. I graduated college 15 years ago with a B average. I feel like if a person passes all of the cliicals (the really important issue as far as I am concerned) then stupid, insignificant things like names of first nurses or anything that is not such a big deal should not be an issue. Be proud of yourself, it is not an easy program. I am proud of you. :heartbeat

missjennmb · Feb 19, 2009

My first tests are always my worst barring unforseen problems (not getting the review due to absence/too many finals that week or whatever) Its the test that you never know what to expect on...do you study specifics or read the entire material or what? How do you know what your teacher focuses most on? Do they love the meds? or love the side notes and tables? Are they hyperfocused on patho or side effects or those tiny details that are always overlooked?

Just takes this opportunity to analyze the test and your study technique and see what you can do to get more in line with what they are asking. We can always improve. :)

amers_here · Feb 19, 2009

They told us in the beginning to expect lower grades than we're used to. The best you can do is hope your normal pattern follows suit in this case. It will probably just take you some time to get used to the style of test.

allnurses Guide · Feb 19, 2009

If the class average is 74, I'd say you did fine. :up:

Nursing exams are just plain different than the exams you are used to. NCLEX style questions, which we are supposed to get you used to, fall into various categories: analysis, comprehension, knowledge, application, etc.

Most exams you have had are mostly knowledge, did you learn the facts? Now you have to bring other knowledge into the mix, how do you apply what you have learned? What does it mean in terms of the patient, or what to expect or assess for?

I bombed my first nursing exam, in a 5 credit hour class, major portion of my grade. Thought I had studied it well, did everything that got me A's in my prereqs. I got into a study group, informal, where we just pitched questions at each other. That was 28 years ago, and no one has ever cared that I got a C on a test in nursing school, because I'm a dang good nurse and it shows in what I do every time I walk into the ER.

On your test questions, look carefully at what is being asked, don't read more into it than is really there. Look for "qualifying" words, like "best, first, most important". There is one right answer, and three distractors. You can generally toss out at least two right off. Sometimes two answers are reasonable sounding, so go with the "best" answer.

Take heart, and keep on going.:redbeathe

Renald · Feb 19, 2009

I know its really hard right now, but you just got to keep trying. You can do it...

Bortaz, MSN, RN · Feb 19, 2009

I always just compare my grades to the really smart kids in my classes, and if we're close, I figure I did as well as I could have expected to do.

stasis_DC5 · Feb 19, 2009

relax. this happens to me too. it's just like how a classmate of mine gets a higher grade than me when he and i both know that i know more than he does. sometimes it's just that particular test or a particular question/questions. from the looks of it you're doing pretty well. so, just keep it up and try your best everytime you take a test.

DDRN4me · Feb 19, 2009

Hang in there,,, the first test is always the most difficult as you have no idea what to expect from the instructor. if you were within 2 points of the class average, then you ae fine. Use the experience to help you study for the next test but dont dwell on the possibliltiy of failure; look at it as a learning experience on test taking! good luck!!

oreo84 · Feb 19, 2009

you'll be able to improve! at least you know what kind of questions to expect on the test now. I know at first I had a tough time with application type questions.... but as I got used to answering them in practice books, etc.. that my test grades started to improve.