Im not passing my 4th semester Nursing exams, I need some advice..

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I don't know where to post this. I'm new here. I needed to vent.

I don't know what else to do, I don't know how to study anymore. I am currently taking Adv Med Surg 2 (last Med surg for nursing) and I haven't passed any test yet. We only have 5 exams (including final) and 2 of my exams were D's. I also have a tutor (because of failing the 1st test).

I admit when taking the test I freak out like crazy. I use earplugs, I sit in the corner, I hi-light my test questions, I also use-up the entire time of testing they'd given us.

My last Med Surg I got a strong B, but for some reason taking 4th sem test is just so hard for me. I even forget most of the test questions after testing. I totally sit, take the exam and barely understood the entire question and managed to answer some correctly. I read notes, powerpoints and books (NCLEX,MedSurgs) to help me. :(

I'm sooo desperate to pass my next 3 exam, what else should I do? And worst part is I always fail my final exam. :(

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For me it always helps to make my own study guides using key points from the chapters that the book mentions. Takes a huge amount of time, but the writing(by hand, not typing) really helps my memory. Also answer questions from the book's website if it has one. Don't give up! Talk to your teacher, too. Remember that worrying only wastes time and energy, use that test anxiety to fuel better studying habits. I wish you the best, hang in there!

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Have you always had testing anxiety? Your school should have some resources available to help you with that (taking your test in the library or a testing center or someplace else for example), as well as tips and suggestions to help you work through it. Maybe speak with a counselor, too, to see what advice they have to help you deal with the anxiety.

If your tutor isn't helping (could be the way he/she is teaching), try someone else. Sometimes you just need someone to present the information in a different way before things click. Have you spoken with your teacher, asked for their advice? Perhaps they can recommend some other books that might present the information in a better way for you.

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Specializes in Pediatric, ED.

It seems like almost all professors I've had had a little phrases, like "you may be seeing this again" or "this would be fantastic for you to know". Do your professor have any phrases he/she uses to emphasize you will want to know certain concept in lecture? Are you an auditory learner or a visual learner? Because I am a visual learner and definitely not an auditory person, I use a digital recorder for lectures and have the lecture handy just in case I am missing some information. I also have a small circle of friends that I exchange notes, quizzes from our book/online resources. We also use ATI in our program and believe it or not, those little paperback books have helped with exam prep. Try to focus on the "cardinal signs", nursing assessment and interventions. For our program, Saunders Nclex book has been a life saver for Med-surg. It's a school/professors favorite and we found lots of questions from that on our Med-surg exams. :)

I wish you the best of luck for your next exam!!!

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I have test anxiety myself. #1 advice-->take a breath and remain positive. #2-->have a piece of gum/candy during test (relaxes your nerves). I prepare by reading chapters in advance along with taking handwritten notes as I read (main points) also there should be an outline at the end of each chapter (very helpful), I write out flash cards (carry them with me) and whenever I have a moment I go over them. Also, I try not to cram. Study for an hour then do laundry or go for a walk, study for another hour, etc. Best of luck!

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Have you considered making flash cards? I see that someone else mentioned this and I know that for Med Surg flash cards were very helpful! Break the cards down by section for each test, for example Cardiac ... labs, procedures, ECG, etc. and go over them a lot. You learn by writing them out the first time and again by quizzing yourself. It also makes it easy to study with others if you have your cards on you and you can reinforce again by going over concepts with classmates!

You can do it.... the final Med Surg content is daunting, but you'll get there, just take it on in chunks so you don't get overwhelmed! Good Luck!

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Thanks all for the comments. Just an update, i'm an RN now.. I'm so thankful I didnot quit back then.... :)

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Thanks all for the comments. Just an update i'm an RN now.. I'm so thankful I didnot quit back then.... :)[/quote']

Wow, that was fast....congrats!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Emergency, CEN.

Wow, that was fast....congrats!

The first post was a year ago, silly. You made me do a double take too. Ha ha! :-D

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