LPN Student, Cried and cried...

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Sep 27, 2009

Just relax. The tricks are things like they slip in the word "not" and completely throw you off.

:)

Txstarr972 · Sep 27, 2009

Like the others said, do not over think those. It's so easy to do that, and I know a lot failed our first one too. Now that you know what you did wrong, you should be ok.

Do you have a workbook or study guide? Use it and practice those NCLEX style questions.

Circejane · Sep 27, 2009

One thing I saw in LPN school was that a great many people have trouble thinking critically. It's absolutely key in nursing, and in nursing tests. You need to learn critical thinking just as much as you need to learn Pharm and Med Surg, because it's critical thinking that allows you to properly evaluate situations and make judgment calls.

Does your school use ATI or MedsPub? There are good tutorials on critical thinking in there, and on how to understand and answer the NCLEX-type questions.

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Sep 27, 2009

I wouldn't put too much into that exam. This is something new to you and you haven't taught how to tackle a question yet using critical thinking skills. You have to prioritize. Think ABC's 1. Airway 2. Breathing 3. Circulation/Cardio and if none of those are the answer, then look at safety. What's going to keep the patient safe. Think Maslows. Keep practicing those critical thinking questions, you will get it. Good Luck

missy--kay · Sep 28, 2009

I think it's important to get with your instructor early and figure out what you are doing wrong. Do not wait until it's too late. I did fine in FON, but OB I failed an exam with a 65 and cried and cried! I went to my instructors office and she went over each question with me... and I could see where I went wrong.

I'm not sure how your school tests, but in every subject, for every test/quiz ours are NCLEX style. When you are not used to those, they really take you by surprise.

Good luck! I'm sure you'll do fine!!!

pagandeva2000, LPN · Sep 28, 2009

I also believe that this is because it was your first nursing exam, which is far different from the others. Nursing disguises their questions in ways to make you critically think. It is not always easy to look at the question and take a quick stab at the answer. What you can try doing is purchase an NCLEX-PN Comprehensive Study Guide. What they do is sort of teach you WHY answers are right and wrong, giving you a hint of how to answer test questions. Sure, you can bounce back...why not? And, also, as suggested, speak to your instructors for hints.

NuNurse<3 · Sep 29, 2009

I too am new to nursing school and taking FON right now. At orientation they pretty much told us that yes while most of us are used to getting A's, we are on a new playing field. Until we learn to think critically we are not going to get As, period, they also told us flat out it's almost impossible to get an A on an exam, and that we WILL fail a test at some point in time, and it's usually the first one. They have also told us that until that little light flips on and we start thinking like nurses thos NCLEX style questions will be hard for us. Well, my little light hasn't really flipped on yet, but I have faith that it will. I also failed my first exam, I got a 67 and the class avg was 70, in our classes we have to have a passing grade of 74, so pretty much the whole class failed, both FON classes did actually. I was really upset until I realized that I was right there with the class avg, so then I didn't feel quite as bad since I could see I wasn't the only one. I would say to just stick it out whatever you do, don't fall behind, keep up with the reading, and just hang in there, our instructors are awesome and they are constantly telling us to calm down because we'll get there, eventually it will all just click~ is what they keep reassuring us, so good luck, I'm right there with you. You can do it, shrug off this first test, don't fall behind and do alot of practice NCLEX type things to prepare yourself. :)

KayDubb · Sep 30, 2009

I too am new to nursing school and taking FON right now. At orientation they pretty much told us that yes while most of us are used to getting A's, we are on a new playing field. Until we learn to think critically we are not going to get As, period, they also told us flat out it's almost impossible to get an A on an exam, and that we WILL fail a test at some point in time, and it's usually the first one. They have also told us that until that little light flips on and we start thinking like nurses thos NCLEX style questions will be hard for us. Well, my little light hasn't really flipped on yet, but I have faith that it will. I also failed my first exam, I got a 67 and the class avg was 70, in our classes we have to have a passing grade of 74, so pretty much the whole class failed, both FON classes did actually. I was really upset until I realized that I was right there with the class avg, so then I didn't feel quite as bad since I could see I wasn't the only one. I would say to just stick it out whatever you do, don't fall behind, keep up with the reading, and just hang in there, our instructors are awesome and they are constantly telling us to calm down because we'll get there, eventually it will all just click~ is what they keep reassuring us, so good luck, I'm right there with you. You can do it, shrug off this first test, don't fall behind and do alot of practice NCLEX type things to prepare yourself. :)

Wow, thanks for your reply..it really helped me..the majority of my class failed it as well, im really kind of looking forward to our next fon test this week..im hoping to redeem myself and pull my confidence back up,,i wish you well!!

NuNurse<3 · Sep 30, 2009

You're welcome, I'm glad I could help you a little. Good luck on your next test, I also have another one on monday. Good luck to us both!

KayDubb · Oct 3, 2009

You're welcome, I'm glad I could help you a little. Good luck on your next test, I also have another one on monday. Good luck to us both!

Had 3 tests this week..I passed them all!! very nicely I might add..So life does go on after a failed quiz..I guess we all can have a bad day now and then..How did you do?

NuNurse<3 · Oct 3, 2009

Had 3 tests this week..I passed them all!! very nicely I might add..So life does go on after a failed quiz..I guess we all can have a bad day now and then..How did you do?

Well, we had our 1st pharmocology exam on thursday and I failed, but so did the whole class, the class avg was 62%~~! I have another fundamentals test on monday though and I feel pretty good about that one. There are 60 of us in my program and we're all failing, they're just being tough, but it will be ok, even though we're failing, we're all failing together and they can't fail the whole group of us, lol. Theyr'e just trying to wean out the weak right now I think. But we'll get there.

Congrats on doing great on your tests!

coralreefRN · Oct 3, 2009

If anyone can give me advice, I could really use it now..I'm in my first month of LPN school and I've been averaging an A im math, B in A/P but then FON hit...and I got an F. It's not because I don't study, it was those critical thinking questions that got me..I have the greatest Instructors, great class great everything but me! I feel like such a failure...I know now where I went wrong...but how do I get my confidence back? Now I'm fearful of every test. I literally cried and cried. Has anyone ever been through this? Did you bounce back? Did you graduate? Now I doubt everything about me...sorry about the pity me story, but it's just being honest...I'm afraid.
Can anyone offer encouragement?? thanks for reading and responding...

Hang in there!!!!! You were doing well and then hit a rough patch in the road. I would suggest study aides to help you with the crtical thinking questions. It is difficult but the fact that you did well in Math and A&P says you have the ability to do it. Every discipline has there own unique way of testing and the nursing question format is really different. So consider the method of testing, as something you have to study, as well as content in FON. GOOD LUCK. It is normal to have doubts but you CAN do this.