Looks Like the End of the Line for Me

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Well, I think the title says it all. I have done great on my first semester exams and check offs, not a worry at all. The Dosage Test, however, is about to become my achilles heel. I understand how to convert measurements and set up the problems, I just make too many silly mistakes with *Basic* Math. Anyways, I'm down to my last test, which will be next Friday. In the meantime, I have an exam tomorrow, which I've barely studied for. At this point, the wind is totally out of my sails, I just feel that it's a waste of time to do well for something, only to fail again at Math. I know this sounds like a bad attitude, but I just feel its better to be ready for the inevitable next week. In fact, I've contemplated dropping out and thinking long and hard before reapplying for admission next Fall.

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Well you're not alone. I am in MedSurg2 at the moment and failed my math/pharmacology test twice. I get one more chance on monday...and after that who knows. Don't you love basic math? Remember death by decimal point is bad... I wish you the best of luck on your math test retakes, and maybe we will both make through.

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Why defeat yourself before u even try? Just do your best and hope for the best. Hopefully things will go well. If they don't - then take a math course (or 2 or 3) during your time off. If nursing is what you want to do then that will be your chance to come back stronger.

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I wish you luck and success on your third try. You have already gotten through one semester so it would be a shame to give up with so much already invested. Now maybe there is another way. Is there any classmates that are willing to quiz you and help you prepare for this next test. Some people have trouble in certain areas and maybe preparing in a different way will shake things up and get you over the hump. I know that we have lost several classmates and I absolutely don't want to lose any more. I bet your classmates feel the same.

Best wishes,

Jean

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Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.

Way to talk yourself into failure!

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Well, I don't think I ever past a math test given by a hospital on the first try yet! And I've taken a few over the years. Don't give up and don't turn it in too soon. Go over your answers after relaxing a bit. Its weird cuz I don't have a problem in the clinical area and also pharmacy has most of us spoiled now with the unit dosed meds sent up prepared. Hang in there! It gets better.

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Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.

Nursing math is not difficult, if it was, I never would have passed.

It does, however, take a lot of practice. Math is one of those subjects that other than the formulas, you can't really study for them..either you know how to do the problem or you don't.

We are approaching the weekend and you can easily master this...but you must do practice problems over and over again.

Nursing Math is something that I tutor for at our school. The #1 mistake I see students make is that when they set up a problem, they set their work up sloppy...sloppyness leads to errors. I tell them to use as much room on the paper that they feel that they need.

The #2 mistake (and the easiest to fix)...is that they don't do the calculations twice!!! I always do the calculations twice on my calculator, then do it again...if i get the same answer, then chances are I didn't hit the wrong key.

Then take one last couple of seconds to look at your answer...does it even make sense? For example, if you had a question regarding how many pills someone should take in the morning and your answer was 18 pills...does that make sense with the question?

Sometimes that can clue you in that you have made a mistake in the setup of the problem.

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Way to talk yourself into failure!

Man, I don't want to feel this way. I've spent every night, and I mean every night, studying my butt off for lecture exams and lab exams. I've practiced my skills non stop on the weekends. I take practice dosage tests, and always do well, and then I fail the real deal...twice. Sure it's easy to say "don't give up yet," or "try harder," but when someone has prepared themselves and still falls short, I think its human nature for a little bit of defeatism to sneak in.

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ORtech,

We do understand how you feel. Imagine this....I was taking Statistics. Because I was recently married, my school (online) name had changed, but the school email name had not. My teacher thought there were 2 different students....neither of whom had met "attendance" requirements for this online class. She dropped me from the course. I got in touch with her and the dean and got the mess straightened out. Now I am a full week behind everyone else.

Worse, right after re-instatement, I had to take test 1. I was NOT confident. I had to take it and I simply hoped that I could pull myself up afterwards if I did poorly. I left the test knowing I did well enough to pass, but did not feel I did well at all. I started into some negative thinking.... I watched BB (Blackboard) as the grades were starting to be posted (you get to see YOUR grade and class average). I was shocked to see the class average was around 72 on a 120 pt test! I got myself prepared for a really BAD grade. If everyone else did so poorly and they did the HW and quizzes, how could *I* have expected to do well. :o

Yesterday I got an email from the teacher that all test grades were posted. Ok....time to get this over with. :bugeyes:

Logged in. Could NOT believe my eyes! 114/120! (aka: 95%). :lol2: :yeah:

There is another poster on this board says in their siggy that this process is half mental. You need to NOT study for the 3rd attempt the day before. Take calming breaths before you start. Take your time! RECHECK every problem only looking for those SILLY mistakes you mentioned and you will pass.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

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