Maybe nursing isn't for me

Sunshine0425 · Feb 16, 2006

Keep your head up....if nursing is your dream, don't give up. Just realize that this was the first test, you'll know probably more what to expect next time. Just use this as fuel for your fire!!!! Good Luck:mad:

Angelsamongus · Feb 16, 2006

Keep going. Don't give up, and try to relax. I had a friend that failed more than one test in A+P and she made it through. You can do it. I think you just need to work on controlling the test anxiety that you get. Try to keep it in check, don't forget to take some deep breaths and work one question at a time. Good luck to you.

Sunshine0425 · Feb 16, 2006

Ohhh...one more thing, in all my pre req's my first test has always been my worst, hands down!!! I can also sympathize w/you because I work full time as well, and I am a mommy, wife and full time student taking Micro:eek: I think stuff like this makes me try harder, b/c I want this sooo bad!!!

snuggy · Feb 16, 2006

It sounds to me like you have a problem with test anxiety, not the subject material. Personally, I always find the first exam in ANY class to be the worst, simply because you don't know what to expect. Keep your chin up! :)

BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN · Feb 16, 2006

i'd hardly call you a nursing school dropout at this point. let's assess:

your first pre-nursing class? was this your first college class? even if it isn't, this material is prob. like nothing you've ever tackled before.

don't say there's no excuse (b/c you're only taking one class). you work, right? the material is difficult, right? i stopped working altogether when i was doing not-so-hot in nursing school (i was 18, so i could, living w/ mom and dad). point is, my grades did not improve that much. it was still hard!!

did you understand the material?? in hindsight, did you know the answer to the questions on the exam? if you answered yes, then you can choke it up to test anxiety.

anyway, you still have a chance to redeem yourself. now you know what to expect. you know what the q's are like, and what the prof. is looking for. but please, please, please, keep this in mind: you mat not be the a student you would like to be. and you're going to make yourself ill if you will accept nothing more than an a (as you started thinking to yourself during the exam). i'm not saying you should shoot for a b-, but try to accept that you may not get straight a's. and you know what...that's okay.

hbncns35 · Feb 16, 2006

Welcome to BST---

BST stands for blood, sweat and tears.........................

You feel your blood pressure drop when you get your score back, you sweat through the test and alas you turn on the water buckets.....

Believe me as a senior, I still don't know my anatomy completely, I still have to look things up just to remember all that stuff.

When I did anatomy, I remember using my body to remember all the different parts. I would look at myself and say there's the tibia, femur, phalanges, etc. Practice on yourself and latch on to other good students who can show you a thing or too but whatever you do Don't give up....It's not gonna happen............You will get through this - mentally tell yourself that. Half the battle is convincing yourself to do it..........

You'll be fine and a Great Nurse at that!!!!!! HB

Fun2, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2006

I recommend never to drop any class until the end of the drop period. That way you can get more of the class in, and next time around more of it is review.

However, as others have stated, it's only the first test. See what happens next time.

See if your school has a tutoring center for A&P. Study groups may help as well.

Are you recording your lectures? I did and took notes as well. I then typed out the notes while listening to the lecture to make sure I didn't miss anything.

Then I recorded myself reading the notes & burned the recordings on CDRs. I listened to them everytime I got in my truck. I studied for hours & hours & hours.

I made powerpoint quizzes to study the anatomy part with & took pictures in lab of everything.

I also went to open lab times a few times.

Don't give up on this class yet, and definitely don't give up on nursing yet!

Keep trying, you can get it!!!

LAAngelsFan · Feb 17, 2006

Keely,

It sounds to me like you really know your stuff (you studied way more than I ever have) but you just had major test anxiety, which I'm sure everyone has experienced. Just keep in mind that this was only the first test and a lot of people usually do the worst on the first test. Now you know what to expect on future tests and you can focus your studying. Trying relaxing (I know, it's easier said than done) before you take a test. I never wait until the last minute to study, so right before the test, when everyone is stressing out and looking over their notes, I just sit there and relax usually listening to my iPod or something. Also, please do not reconsider a career in nursing based on this one test. Judging by all the time you seemed to spend studying, I would say that any patient would be happy to have a nurse that was so hardworking and dedicated. Good luck and remember, RELAX!!!

Kathyz · Feb 17, 2006

Don't worry about it. Hang in there. A&P is not an easy class. Next time get up early, maybe look over your cards and give yourself plenty of time. I'm sure flying to class didn't make you feel comfortable!!

I have a friend who is very smart and received a 66% on her first micro test. She gets anxious and makes dumb mistakes and blanks out. If you know the material you should take a deep breath and go in feeling confident. By the way, that same friend got a B in anatomy and I got a C.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2006

Keely, I understand it must be devasting to fail after so studying so hard.

It does sound like you defeated yourself by freaking out with test anxiety.

Hang in there. Good luck.

NaomieRN · Feb 17, 2006

One failed test is not proof nursing is not for you. In my early years, I failed the first A&P 1 and got a D+ on A&P 2. Last semester, I got an A- for A&P 1 and on my way to an A on A&P 2. I started right out of High school and did not focus. I studied the wrong way. You can study for 50 hours and still not able to pass. What I have learned, to understand the materials, understand the functions and talk about them with people are the best ways for me. I dont kill myself studying anymore. I prefer to spend time understanding, making connections from lab to lecture. Good luck