Need advice on passing second year.

dishes, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2015

First of all believe that passing the courses is an achievable goal (because it is). Sucess in nursing school is a matter of perserverance, so keep on studying and doing homework. When you feel stressed, try to find ways to relieve the tension, maybe alternate periods of studying with short periods of activity, find a healthy balance, you can do it.

catnessk · Mar 15, 2015

First of all believe that passing the courses is an achievable goal (because it is). Sucess in nursing school is a matter of perserverance, so keep on studying and doing homework. When you feel stressed, try to find ways to relieve the tension, maybe alternate periods of studying with short periods of activity, find a healthy balance, you can do it.

Thank you for the comment. I received my test that was worth 20% and I got a 66. I was aiming for 80 and higher. I studied so hard for this test but it is very upsetting that I only have 30% of course content left and I need to get at least an 80 to be safe. My question is should I withdraw from the program and come back next year?

Regards,

CatnessK

msbookish · Mar 15, 2015

I'm a second year student at the Ryerson site of your program. It is your choice whether or not you stay in the program, based on your assessment of the risks.

I'm curious to know what your current strategies are. I've noticed that practicing NCLEX questions have been helpful in patho and nursing practice. You can easily find NCLEX questions by googling them or going to nurseslabs.com

In patho, have you tried using a study tool? There is a lot of content in patho and it can be overwhelming. Organizing the information through a structure that includes (etiology, pathophysiology, nursing interventions, collaborative care and pharmacology) helps. For example, with acute kidney injury, what is the disease process (pathophysiology) behind it? And how do we treat it? (collaborative care).

Passing is possible! A healthy balance can happen. There are several students out there with numerous responsibilities, but have found strategies to succeed in the program. Feel free to ask for more advice!

dishes, BSN, RN · Mar 15, 2015

Thank you for the comment. I received my test that was worth 20% and I got a 66. I was aiming for 80 and higher. I studied so hard for this test but it is very upsetting that I only have 30% of course content left and I need to get at least an 80 to be safe. My question is should I withdraw from the program and come back next year?
Regards,
CatnessK

I recommend you make an appointment with your academic advisor to discuss the risks and benefits of withdrawing from the program, they can help you make a full informed decision.

It is not unusual for students to struggle with patho and theory, sometimes there is lag between studying the course content before it is clicks in the brain, speak to your instructors about your concerns.

I like msbookish's suggestion to study for the patho exam with NCLEX type of questions, using a multiple choice format to study for a multiple choice exam is a good strategy for most students.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Mar 16, 2015

You will need to commit to a study schedule and block out everything else except the course work if you want to succeed with those grades. It IS possible, if you're willing to put the effort in.

I would suggest approaching the profs for assistance and outline your plan prior to doing so. Otherwise, if they don't think you're serious, you'll repeat the year.

Good luck!

catnessk · Mar 16, 2015

Thank you for the response. I actually have the NCLEX review book and have been using that more for practice and I don't seem to think it worked too well for patho, but I will see how it works out again. I feel like the quizzes are the main reason that I am doing poorly. What are your strategies for studying for that. I actually have the simple nursing subscription and it came with quick notes of specific breakdowns. For example hepatitis, it started with the pathophys, then the signs and symptoms, nursing assessment, intervention, rationale, and goal. I just don't know how much info I need to know that I end up just brushing a whole bunch of info that I find irrelevant some times. I read the textbook chapters and people tell me that it is pretty useless.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks!

joanna73, BSN, RN · Mar 16, 2015

My thoughts are that you should be paying close attention to the lectures and approaching your profs for assistance instead of focusing on the NCLEX questions. The instructors will guide your studying.

You may also want to ask academic advising about a peer tutor. I know Ryerson/ George Brown has them.

dishes, BSN, RN · Mar 16, 2015

Some of the reasons people do poorly on quizzes are:

an incomplete understanding of the course content
problems coping with the stress of the exam
difficulty with multiple choice exams

Think about the difficulties you experienced writing the quiz, do you think your difficulty is one of the above reasons or a combination of a reasons, there are different study strategies depending on the problem you experienced.

catnessk · Mar 17, 2015

Thank you all for the replies. I would say its the anxiety and always second guessing myself. When I look over my exams the answer I picked first usually is the right one.

Toaster · Mar 23, 2015

Hey catnessk, I think you're the same person from Studentawards!

Anyways, I was in GBC-Ryerson in 2013 (first year) and withdrew from the program due to psychological burnt out. At the time, I was working on weekends part-time. Honestly, it was so hard. I felt like I was drowning and even with counselor, it didn't really help me at all. I have learned my lessons and I think I have matured from this.

You should really consider your options before you withdraw. I have re-applied to the program again and the process will be different from other applicants because you were in the program in previous year. The admissions will factor your high school marks and GPA (Minimum B GPA is needed to be competitive) and the fact that you were in the program before. Let me tell you, the averages have gone up, high 80's for GBC site and you cannot transfer sites either.

Also, have you tried patho study group? I am sure Ryerson has it and maybe you can join in!

Best of luck!

catnessk · Mar 23, 2015

Hello Toaster,

Thank you for the reply. I have actually decided to stay for the year and see where it takes me. I have a quiz and the final that I need for patho. If I get 100% (which I will definitely work my butt off to get) all I would need on my final exam is a 66%, which I have been getting for most of my tests (not saying that is a good thing at all). I talked to an academic advisor as well and I just came to the conclusion that I really don't want to disappoint my family. I have 4 younger siblings and for them to know that their eldest child failed a whole year of school is going to be a turmoil to explain on their actions for school. I really want to embark on doing well and failing is not an option for me anymore.

I also worked at the beginning of the school year and was happy it was a seasonal employment because I would have definitely failed and I truly hope everything works out for you. Keep in contact with me and I can give you some notes if you would like!

Thank you all for the comments once again, really appreciate it .

CatnessK