Nursing Theory Exams :(

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I'm doing just fine in clinical so far, but exams on nursing theory --I'm stuck at a B/C range (83.5).

Some of the questions seem ambiguous, and when I have approached a professor for clarification on my missed exam questions, I'm told there is no review for the exam. :( Other times, it seems as if the questions had nothing to do with what I've studied for (ethics, law, spirituality, etc.) and are related to the profession's image (i.e., "What would you tell a girl if she said nursing was 'x'...?). I'm pretty sure I've gotten these questions right, but who knows!

I'm in an accelerated BSN program (at 30k/year...yikes), having transferred from a traditional program. My traditional program did offer 1 review session about a week after the exam took place. One shot for an answer per question. Is it a normal thing for nursing schools to not offer exam review for theory classes? Have I been coddled up until now?

What books can I purchase to help me understand these questions a bit more?

I really appreciate your help! Thank you!

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I am currently in an ADN RN program (4th semester) in Alabama, and it is the same just FYI. Some instructors review some don't, couldn't really tell you why, but gave up trying to figure that out a while back. And your grade is fine, don't worry about that. The day may come when your over the moon to have a 75.1 in a class. As for other books something I do is try to use a couple of different texts, Lewis, Iggy, Potter, whatever. I find seeing the material presented in different ways by different authors gives me a little better grasp of the material.

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Specializes in ICU.

I am in an ASN program. If everyone is present for the exam, we will review it in class as soon as the exam is over. Just so we know the answers. Some allow us to ask the rationale, some don't, for time purposes. If we score below a 78%, we have to fill out a test audit so we can figure out why we did poorly. If you got a question wrong and do not agree with the answer you can fill out a form with your proof from one of your books, not the internet, and your rationale, the instructor will look at it and consider it. It must be filled out within 48 hours of the exam. If you just want to go over your individual test, you can schedule and appointment with your instructor. And that is just to go over the test, not to go in and argue your point, that is what the clarification form is for.

Honestly, your grade is not bad at all in theory. And pretty much after a year of taking these darn tests, it's really pointless to argue anymore. Even when I know I am completely right, it gets me nowhere and I end up wasting my time on the clarification form. Especially with some instructors. There was one about a kidney stone that still gets me going to this day. It was a SATA question on a test and her answer was just outright wrong. She refused to change it or acknowledge that she was mistaken. So that's when I realized that questioning was just useless. As long as I am passing the class, that's all that matters to me anymore.

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I am currently in an ADN RN program (4th semester) in Alabama, and it is the same just FYI. Some instructors review some don't, couldn't really tell you why, but gave up trying to figure that out a while back. And your grade is fine, don't worry about that. The day may come when your over the moon to have a 75.1 in a class. As for other books something I do is try to use a couple of different texts, Lewis, Iggy, Potter, whatever. I find seeing the material presented in different ways by different authors gives me a little better grasp of the material.

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