Junior Year Stress. Anxiety. Heartache.

ruralnurse84 · Sep 21, 2013

You just have to remember that nursing school tests are different than other tests and it is just one test. It isn't your entire grade for the semester. Figure out what you got wrong and maybe find a new way to study. It isn't going to help next time to panic. My 2nd quarter I got a 72 and then a 78 on my first two tests. I am an A student as well. I just realized I had to find a new way to study and my next two tests were in the 90s.

camelbakhi, BSN, RN · Sep 21, 2013

Thank you for your comment. I have such a hard time with the tests, and now I just keep replaying the ones I got wrong in my head and I cannot believe I chose the answer I did for them. I am really upset with myself and it is hard to just swallow and accept. When you say find a new way to study, what do you suggest? I read the chapters many times over, review the notes a million times and make flashcards. The hardest part is that this test was 25 questions each worth 2 points. I only got 4.5 wrong which is insane because that is a C, but that's the way it is.

allnurses Guide · Sep 21, 2013

Nursing school tests are a different beast.

Until you understand how approach them and pick "the best" answer (even though all answers may be correct) then you will struggle.

I know this first hand.

Go to an academic counselor and seek some guidance.

I was able to get a quick instruction and many good references.

By doing this, I had an "a-ha!" moment and no further problems.

I also had to break myself of the habit of merely trying to memorize.

That won't work, because you will not be asked to spew out information that you memorized... you must understand it and apply it.

Here's a trick I found worked for me:

Go over your material and try to teach it back to an imaginary class.

I even put a big whiteboard up in my kitchen and I would spend much time "talking to myself" and writing and drawing.

When the kids heard me talking, they would sometimes sit in and then it was even better because they would ask questions (yes, I have peculiar children).

When I couldn't explain something properly or when I couldn't answer a question, I knew I needed to back-track and talk myself through it until I got it.

This was a beautiful thing I had stumbled upon and this is the advice I always give.

But seek an academic counselor ASAP, because you want to fix this before you get in too deep.

I learned the hard way.

P.S:

Get an NCLEX book and find questions relevant to what you are studying.

Learn how to attack those puppies, but most of all, read the rationales.

Don't despair at getting the questions wrong, but focus on why by reading those rationales!

It will better prepare you for your exams... and the NCLEX.

ruralnurse84 · Sep 21, 2013

I agree with getting an NCLEX book. What I started doing is taking the objectives for each test section and essentially making a study guide out of it. I don't know if you have that option. That's what they gave us in our syllabus at the start of each quarter. It is harder when the tests are smaller and each question is worth more points but all you can do from here on out is just remember it is one test and you have the ability to do better next time. An 82% is not bad. Good luck on your future tests.

RN9012, BSN · Oct 1, 2013

I'm sorry, but if you can't cope with getting a 'C' grade you really need to sit down and learn some coping skills. What about the time you make your first med error? Unknowingly execute an order you should have questioned? Accidently miscommunicate something to a doc? People aren't perfect and nurses certainly aren't perfect, you will need to learn to accept and deal with less than perfection if you are going to tolerate being a nurse...worry less about the C (it's in the past), and more about how you are going to deal with that C and improve next time. There's a reason we are taught self-reflection in nursing school.

swansonplace · Oct 1, 2013

Know that you are not your grade.

When you finish nursing school, you will need to take an exit exam, the NCLEX. So keep your eyes on the big picture, and your goal.

I would go through the testing skills software. That is software to walk you through how to take a nursing test. My school had this software on the computers, and they also gave us access to ATI which had testing tutorials available. This brought my scores up by 10 points.

Also, I would assess each area that you study by taking a self test. I liked the Davis books. My fellow students use to use Saunders, Reviews and Rationales or ATI. Some text books also have student tests you can take to find your weak points.

I learned to save time when studying by investing in the appropriate tools. Software, books, tutors, youtube, online lecture videos, Feuer, Judith Miller, and Hurst. These also help: Study buddies, Clinical professor guidance, Advisor guidance, support from fellow students, family, and exercise for stress management or some other kind of stress outlet.

The first "C" hurts the most. Go for understanding, and it will pay off in the long run. Persistence is key.