Nursing Student needing advice... What am I doing wrong?

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Hello everyone,

I am kind of in a bind. I am trying to keep a positive outlook on this nursing school thing, but it is so hard! I am in my first year, and I am already down to a 3.2 GPA, which I am not happy with. And its not that I'm being a brat about it, but with the classes I am taking now, (med-surge and pharm) I don't see an increase in my GPA in the near future. I study, I get tutored for one hour a week on med surge, and I go to class regularly. Its just when I get to the test, I FREAK! I look at the first question, and my eyes begin to swell instantly with tears (if I feel defeated by it). Its tough because I love nursing. I'm always that student wanting to be in the middle of something at clinical...and when I'm at clinical I can apply the things that I've learned!... I just can't seem to apply it on my test. I've recently just started simplenursing.com, and bought some extra book resources from amazon to help. But my main concern is my GPA. In the future, I want to eventually go back for my masters... and a low GPA will not help! I just feel like its way to early for my GPA and grades to be suffering as much as they are. I mean I pass, but I am either barely passing, or keeping my head above water. Here and there a couple of high B's, but barely...

I'm just seeking out advice and encouragement. I DO NOT want to give up, because I KNOW it is doable! So if anyone has any good study habits, or success stories they don't mind sharing, that would be greatly appreciated. =)

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.

OK, breathe! A 3.2 isn't the end of the world. You have PLENTY of school left and you will (yes, you will!) bring your GPA back up. Not every class is excruciatingly difficult.

You mentioned that you start getting tears in your eyes on the first question. I think you might be psyching yourself out. If you've studied and prepared, then you can get through the exam if you take your time and logically think through your responses. I give this advice to the nursing students I tutor in the classes behind me:

1. Read the question completely & thoroughly. Then read it again. Make sure you didn't skip anything. It's so easy to miss a key word when you're frantically trying to race through an exam. Underline the key words in the question. Think in your head what you feel the answer might be before you look at the multiple choice options.

2. Read each multiple choice answer. Write a "yes", "no" or "maybe" next to each one as it applies to the question. Anything with a "no", you can rule out. If you only have one "yes", then you've got your answer. If you have more than one "yes" or have a "maybe", look at each one. Does it EXACTLY answer the question being asked?

3. This ties in to #2: do NOT read in extra info in your answers. If you have to say "well, this answer would apply if the patient had XYZ..." then it's the wrong answers. Only choose an answer that applies to what is given in your scenario.

4. Be positive with yourself on the way to the exam. I know it sounds silly, but actually saying out loud "I'm going to do GREAT on this test!" really does make you feel more calm. I do this in my car on the way to my exam. I know it sounds cheesy but it really does help :)

5. Don't change your answers. Usually, your gut instinct is correct. When you review your answers, only make a change if you realize you read the question wrong or missed a key word. If you're undecided between 2 answers, stick with your original answer.

6. Don't beat yourself up during the exam. It's easy for us to say "I feel like an idiot. I don't remember anything" and get down on ourselves. Stay positive. Keep telling yourself "I've prepared for this. I know the material. I can think through the question".

Best of luck as you continue on your journey! Nursing school exams are unlike anything you've ever had before. It really requires you to think and synthesize the information you've learned. You'll start getting the hang of it the further along you get. :)

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Great advice Sopranokris! I wil start taking health assessment and funds in Jan and I will use your advice!

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Thanks for the advice sopranokris! Those are all great things that I should try. My tutor always tells me I read to far into the question and I always second guess myself... I'll be sure to stay away from that next test! I really appreciate you taking your time out to share that with me =)

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Specializes in ICU/ER, Maternal, Psych.

SO... 3.2 in nursing school is really good and at some point you need to be confidant that if your at least passing... you doing great!

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Specializes in Cardiac, Home Health, Primary Care.

In high school I had over a 4.0 (considering AP classes) and graduated valedictorian and wound up with a free ride (room and board plus a stipend too) at a nice state school. In my pre-nursing classes had A's and B's (only in chemistry). Nursing school is a different story. I have had B's in almost EVERY nursing class in my undergrad and graduate nursing career. An occasional A. Mostly B's though (high B's so it's aggravating). But with your GPA a B is a B whether it's high or low.

Nursing school is tough. Don't expect the grades you made pre-nursing school. My main objective was to get done and keep my scholarship (which I did).

With my midterm that I just took I studied and studied and did hundreds of practice questions. I still only got a 76. Have an 86 for the class so far though so still have hope for an A but I'm fine with a B.

Hate to be the tough love here but GET USED TO IT. There's a reason some say "in nursing school a C = RN"

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You all are right. Maybe I was just having a moment. It's just crazy seeing all these A's and I'm barely making. And everyone is different, I know, but it still hurts. But you all are right I need to suck it up and make it happen!

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Specializes in Cardiac, Home Health, Primary Care.

That's all any of us can do! I finished my undergrad with 3.5 (made A's in pretty much all non-nursing classes). It is a bit of a shock (all the B's!) but, hey, we all wind up with the same initials after our name :)

And I can promise you your grades have nothing to do with what kind of nurse you will be! And some of my classmates had closer to 4.0 and still failed NCLEX first try!

Just keep trudging

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.
Thanks for the advice sopranokris! Those are all great things that I should try. My tutor always tells me I read to far into the question and I always second guess myself... I'll be sure to stay away from that next test! I really appreciate you taking your time out to share that with me =)

You're welcome! I really hope you knock it out of the park on your next exam :)

I know, it's really hard going from being a 4.0 student to not always getting an A. I'm a total perfectionist when it comes to grades and it really kills me when I work so hard and miss that A by a few tenths of a point (we have a no-rounding policy :(). However, when it's all said and done, a B really doesn't kill your GPA too bad. I've managed to get all 4.0 and one 3.5 so far. We have our Peds final on Friday and I would have to pull off a miracle of only missing 3 questions to get enough points to pull off a 4.0 in that course. It kills me to be this/close to achieving it and to fall short. However, I'm confident that I know the material, I understand it, I'm able to apply it in clinicals and that's what matters most.

I'm also trying to get into a graduate program when I'm done with the BSN, so I totally understand being worried about GPA. Many of my classmates are just trying to pass. I need to know the material and get the grade to prove it :)

Good luck and please let us know how you did on your exam (if you feel like sharing)!!! :D :up:

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

If you search it, I posted in a thread called "test anxiety" some more techniques about destressing during an exam. Soprano gave you some really good advice.

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You're welcome! I really hope you knock it out of the park on your next exam :)

I know, it's really hard going from being a 4.0 student to not always getting an A. I'm a total perfectionist when it comes to grades and it really kills me when I work so hard and miss that A by a few tenths of a point (we have a no-rounding policy :(). However, when it's all said and done, a B really doesn't kill your GPA too bad. I've managed to get all 4.0 and one 3.5 so far. We have our Peds final on Friday and I would have to pull off a miracle of only missing 3 questions to get enough points to pull off a 4.0 in that course. It kills me to be this/close to achieving it and to fall short. However, I'm confident that I know the material, I understand it, I'm able to apply it in clinicals and that's what matters most.

I'm also trying to get into a graduate program when I'm done with the BSN, so I totally understand being worried about GPA. Many of my classmates are just trying to pass. I need to know the material and get the grade to prove it :)

Good luck and please let us know how you did on your exam (if you feel like sharing)!!! :D :up:

I took my med surge test yesterday... Got the grade back today.... And I got a 90!!!! Omg. Thanks soooo much for your advice. I woke up with a totally positive attitude, said positive affirmations on my way to the test, TOOK MY TIME (I literally sat in the test until 6 mins was left), and I am so happy! I also read the question and tried answering it before looking at the choices! I knew I could do it... I'm just so grateful for everyone and their positive words. Thanks.

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.

Way to go!!! :) Being positive goes a long way, doesn't it? So happy for you!

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