Need Advice!!!

[nhodge20]

So, I'm in my first semester of clinicals, and there are nine other girls with me. Every day before class or after class I hear how nervous everyone is, and how they are scared they will fail our first exam. I had the idea of putting together a group page for us on facebook to send out reminder to all of us on term words to study, what assignments are due when. Last night I posted the opportunity to get a study group together over the next two days since one of my other classes were cancelled and I had the free time and a sitter in line for my kids. All I get is excuses. Everyone is so worried about failing yet no one wants to study. What could I do to get these girls more interested in their future? Or do I just let them bomb their first exam in order to wake them up? I would love to graduate with the same girls I started with, but if they don't get their act together, they won't be able to keep their grade above the 80 % that is needed to stay in Clinicals. Any ideas? And please, no rude or derogatory remarks. Thank you!

[DiscGolfNurse, BSN]

It could be true personal reasons as to why they cannot get together. Other times, people study better alone than in groups yet don't say so because they do not want to offend anyone. You are also all new to nursing school and the program (I assume since this is your first time in clinicals?) so sometimes it takes a while to find your groove and how you study best. Don't take it personally. Focus on your studies for now and hopefully your classmates will come around! :)

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

My advice? Spend your time studying, not worrying about their study habits. Their success or failure doesn't depend on you, and study groups aren't essential to passing.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

You may not like my answer, but I NEVER used dedicated study groups while in nursing school; I studied alone and once and a while I would have someone approach me and bounce off concepts and ideas related to the school work or getting read for a test, but never had a group.

I understand the bonds you have established with the nine classmates, however you have your own desire to understand the material and be successful, so the best thing for you to do is be prepared for success even if it means doing this by studying solo.

[windsurfer8, BSN, RN]

Lots of assuming in your post. In nursing assuming things can really hurt you. You are assuming they are lazy and don't care about their future. You assume they will "bomb" their first exam. You assume they need to "get their act together".

Here is the deal...you are basing all that on how YOU perceive school and the way to study. So will you do this with your patients? Will you tell them it is your way or the highway? I didn't study in groups and I did very well in nursing school. Does that mean MY way is the only way?

And what do you mean no "rude" remarks? Does that mean anything that doesn't say you are great? This is a message board and once again only YOU can decide what is "rude" thus the person posting can only assume what you feel is "rude". Many thin skinned people are easily offended been off being told the truth. I think it is "rude and derogatory" to tell someone else they don't care about their future if they don't study with you. Just think about your words.

[KyRN😉]

You can't force someone to study.. Plus idk if I'd want someone to come to study group half-heartedly or bc they were guilted into it. I studied with friends when I could but a lot I did on my own; plus have you considered that they might already be in a study group but are making excuses to be polite? Based on your post I get the impression that you might be a little domineering or condescending; I could be wrong though. Anyway it's more likely that they are politely avoiding forming a study group with you.

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

Everyone is so worried about failing yet no one wants to study. What could I do to get these girls more interested in their future? Or do I just let them bomb their first exam in order to wake them up? but if they don't get their act together, they won't be able to keep their grade above the 80 % that is needed to stay in Clinicals.

I assume when you said that you got a sitter for your kids that you are older than the other students. Are you assuming the "mom" role and trying to get your "kids" to study and pass nursing school? Your sole responsibility is to pass nursing school and provide a better life for your biological kids. Your "school" kids are adults and they alone are responsible for their studying and passing nursing school. You made quite a few assumptions that they are not studying and taking school seriously. Could it be possible that they are studying, but not including you in the group or studying on their own at home? Just because they are not jumping at the idea of your facebook page or YOUR study group idea does not mean that they are not studying or taking it seriously.

[Tashbun]

Only on pre-reqs but when I've suggested to get together with ppl that same has happened to me. Then it wasn't till after a exam some showed up and some didn't. Then again in some other classes study groups haven't helped me either.

I would say keep it open if someone would like to study with you, but if not it never helped me worrying about someone else's grades

[Leonardsmom,LPN]

As others have said focus on you, these girls are responsible for how well they do in nursing school. If you do study well with a group, keep an eye out for people in your class who you feel you might study well with. However, until then focus on what you need to do to be successful. If you guys are in fundamentals more than likely most will do well on the first test, which tends sometimes to be more similar to the tests that students have had in the past. It tends to Bettelheim tests later on that start to give some more problems, especially when you start getting questions that involve in application of the information, prioritizing and critical thinking.

I myself have done some study groups with one or two other people, however I so far I have done better on my own. Good luck.

[pmabraham, BSN, RN]

Last night I posted the opportunity to get a study group together over the next two days since one of my other classes were cancelled and I had the free time and a sitter in line for my kids. All I get is excuses. Everyone is so worried about failing yet no one wants to study.

How do you know they are not studying by themselves? Not all study groups are successful, and some people are better at studying by themselves.

[springchick1, ADN, RN]

How do you know they are going to fail? I studied with two other girls and that was it. I knew they were dedicated to school and working hard. I wouldn't worry so much about everyone else. Concentrate on your school work and passing your clinicals.

[bugya90, ASN, BSN, LVN, RN]

I mostly studied alone. The class ended up dividing into two cliques. One clique studied as a group all the time and the rest of us studied alone and only did group sessions occasionally (like right before the first pharmacology exam). Everyone learns differently and you shouldn't fault them for it. I also had to drive almost 45 minutes one way and gas prices were sky high at the time. I couldn't afford to go to school on my off days for study group just because of my gas guzzler truck.

You need to just focus on you. In the end it will be only you taking exam, only you taking care of the patient, and only you taking the NCLEX, not the group.