Nursing School Question

Published

I failed a nursing course this past fall semester and I will retake the course next fall. My question is it stupid to consider looking and applying to other nursing programs that also begin in the fall? There are a few schools I can apply to but I am torn on whether or not to apply there. Please if anyone has any advice on what to do let me know.

Thanks very much Jeff

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Women’s Health.

It depends, why do you want to transfer to another program? Also, if you don't mind me asking, what type of nursing program are you in and which class are you going to have to retake?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I don't plan on transferring I was just looking at other programs for the hell of it. I am in a RN program and the course I have to retake is cradiac/respiratory. The material that hurt me and ultimately made me fail the course was the ABG's and fluid and electrolytes. I have to wait until next Fall to start and retake the class. I was wondering if you had any tips or different study techniques that could help me?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

Here's a start:

https://allnurses.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=13171&d=1386484368

Get started on studying these concepts and reviewing questions and rationales; keep reviewing your coursework while you are on break as well; if there were "recommended reading" that you did not obtain, try to get those supplemental readings and don't forget to review through the nursing process, and "think like a nurse".

Best wishes.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Women’s Health.
I don't plan on transferring I was just looking at other programs for the hell of it. I am in a RN program and the course I have to retake is cradiac/respiratory. The material that hurt me and ultimately made me fail the course was the ABG's and fluid and electrolytes. I have to wait until next Fall to start and retake the class. I was wondering if you had any tips or different study techniques that could help me?

Ok, I see. I would just stick it out at the program you're already at unless you have a real concern about the program that could affect your future in nursing.

We don't have a class called cardiac/respiratory in my program but we did cover ABG's and fluids and electrolytes in pathopharm. I would say the first step is to learn the normal ranges for pH, Co2, bicarb, Na, and so on. Once you know the normal ranges you'll know what's abnormal. Once you can spot what's abnormal, begin learning the signs and symptoms of imbalances (hypocalcemia, metabolic acidosis, and so on).

For the normal ranges, I found writing them down a few times helped me remember the numbers and I made flashcards for the signs and symptoms. Also, YouTube can be a great resource, there are some really informative videos on there that are easy to understand.

The above posters suggestion to do practice questions and read the rationales is spot on. As well as their advice to study during break. I start back this week and I think I'm going to review some of my pathopharm notes before Monday.

I wish you the best of luck, hang in there. This is only a minor setback.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you. I am just very nervous and very upse over this. I know it is only a minor setback but it feels bmuch greater than that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I know how awful it is to retake a class. We have ati's that we have to pass after each class and if we fail we have to retake the class even if we had an A in the class. I just had to retake one and while it sucks I did learn more and my new cohort is awesome! Good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

Well you state the material "made me fail"...the "material" isn't going anywhere so I would put your energy into figuring out how to pass this course next time around. I state this because perception is reality. You are essentialy blaming the "materia"l..which is an inanimate object and has nothing to do with whether you pass or fail. The material doesn't "hurt you." It is still going to be there no matter where you go. Focus less on different schools etc..and put more energy into passing the course. When you don't do well instead of instantly looking at quitting or alternate schools, try to learn from and develop better study habits. It is not the program, it is how you navigate it and how hard you work. Good luck man.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Can you give me some new or different ways to study the material or how to organize it better? Or what did you while you were in school

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Stop focusing on memorization and start focusing on meanings, rationales, understanding the WHY of every fact you see.

NCLEX (and nursing) expects you'll have some level of baseline fact knowledge, of course, but is much more concerned that you know how to think about using them when you have them.

Do you need to get more information? Why?

Do you understand what's important in a scenario or question, and what's not? Why?

Do you know what's expected? Why?

Do you know the effect of a drug? Why do we care?

Do you know what a lab value means? Why do we care?

So many more whys...

Why, why, why... it's the basis of everything we do, it's the foundation of critical thinking in three little letters. It's not something you have to do just to pass nursing school and NCLEX, it's something every nurse has to do every day of a professional life.

Anyway, that's my advice. There are loads of threads here on "how to study" and "how to get organized," and you can go to the yellow bar at the top of the page, hit the search icon (the little magnifying glass) and spend days and days reading them. Something will resonate. But it won't mean a thing if you can't close the book and explain the concept you just read, and why we care.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

duplicate

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion