NVCC Nur Program-Withdraw, No Way!!

U.S.A. Virginia

Published

I want to share with anyone in similar situation.

I did not do well on my first exam. I got a 68 :( My advisor told me if I don't do well on my 2nd exam I should think about withdrawing from the Nursing Program and reapply in the Fall. Needless to say I was very disappointed. I spoke with everyone I know in the Program and those familair with the Program. I learned different test taking strategies and will join study groups. I also found out from faculty from another college that advisors are instructed to "suggest" to students to withdraw due to bad grades so that Program stats are not affected. Did you get that part? My advior was not concerned about me, my learning process or GPA. She is concerned about the Nursing Program Stats! My second test is tomorrow. Even if I don't do well, I am NOT withdrawing from the program! Even if I did, I wouldn't be getting my money back! I am going to continue to work and study hard to learn through the end of the semester. If I have to reapply in the Fall, then I reapply. What I don't get the 1st time around, I might get the 2nd time around.

I have wanted to be a nurse for a long time and I'm not about to quit now. To those taking the Test 2 this week- Good Luck!

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Specializes in Oncology.

I'm sorry to hear you did so poorly. One test definitely doesn't make your grade, so I would not W/D. I would keep working at it. It took me some time to get used to the nursing exams. Remember though if you get less than a C it will bring down your GPA, that's probably the worse thing.

Make sure you focus on nursing interventions. What the nurse would do not the doctor. Also, you can usually eliminate 2 of the answers. Sometimes ALL the answers are right, but you have to pick the priorty. Always think of your ABC's and safety first. Then of course know the meds they put on the power point and focus on the topics on the power point. What really works for me is the reviews and rationales and the nclex review books. I do the cd's and do the questions on the particular subject and that really helps. Plus, it will get you used to the types of questions you will see. Also, it will give you the rationale if you get it wrong. Good luck!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

I think it's great that you're not giving up! Good luck to you.

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Sorry to hear you didn't fair all that well on exam 1, I'm sure exam 2 will be better. I know some of the students in the past that have not done well have not completed all the reading, they rely too much on the power point slides. Ensure you go over the tables and boxes in the reading, they summarize everything up and key in on the "really" good to know stuff!! As well ensure the Saunders NCLEX books are good and the reviews & rationales series (there are many of them) As well I belive there are Nursing students that act as tutors (free) down in the tutor centre on the 1st floor!!

68 isnt the end of the world! I got a 72 on one exam in the second semester and stiil almost managed to get an "A" that semester,lol It is only 1 test, learn from your mistakes and get back in the saddle, you can do it. When I'm doing the test, I look for WRONG answers as i go down the answer list, and 99.9% of the time I easily get it narrowed down to two choices,sometimes it a gut feeling,lol othertimes in one key word that sets it apart. And keep in mind, we are Nurses, not doctors!! Best of luck

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Specializes in Neurosurgical ICU.

I am sorry you didn't do well. I think there is a trial and error system in figuring out how to study and what works and what doesn't, and you're in that process. I hope the new study skills worked for you.

I don't know whether it would impact your chances of re-enrolling in the program to withdraw or not - be sure and ask because they might actually be more likely to let you bakc in if you withdraw. You never know.

You have until the end of this month before you absolutely have to - so see where you are then, and what you think is possible. It might be better to withdraw then if you are not in a good place grade-wise, after the midterm, etc. especially if it impacts your chances of getting back in the program or not. But that's definitely not a decision to make right now, you have nearly 4 more weeks before you really need to consider it.

I have found my mouse hovering around the "drop" area of the site a few times this semester, and what I keep telling myself is that I can stick it out until late October and see where I am, and if I am really in a bad spot it will be apparent then, and I wouldn't have to have a bad grade on my transcript.

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http://www2.nvcc.edu/news/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=4&Itemid=29

Yep, one has to Oct 31 to withdraw! Not saying that you should, BUT one should be aware how a "W" (withdrawal) and a "F" (failure) affects you. Keep in mind its only 1 exam!! and the final is worth more, so that can be a good thing!! Throw in some high 80's, 90's and ur laughing!

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Bpeaceful2All, hang in there.:icon_hug: I hope you did better today on that second test.

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I got a 76 on the first test...I hope I did better on the second one though, i think i did but got no idea.

But I got a U for one day of clinical for being a few mins late.....how does this affect my grades?

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A "U" in clinical wont affect ur grades, BUT if you get to many "U's' (not sure how many) you FAIL clinical, thus fail the semester!! It is listed in your student handbook. If ur late again next week your in "jeopardy" of failing. Hard to say what that truly means,lol A few profs if ur late, wil just send you home and u have to make up the clinical, or do the computer lab which is at the school.

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Specializes in ICU & IV Therapy.

I would :no: NOT :no: withdraw! It is hard enough getting into a nursing program to just withdraw over that. I know the program that I am "trying" to get into, they have rules where if you fail certain tests, you cant go further, you either get kicked out or have to wait until the class gets offered again...which could be a year or so. You have to pass the class the second time or you are for sure out. Good luck with the second test!:D

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I am sorry to hear about your first test. I hope you had better luck today.

I am not in the nursing program and am curious how you, and everyone else in the nursing program, would compare the nursing classes to the pre-reqs (such as NAS 161, 162) The reason I ask is because I worry about experiencing what you are experiencing, it seems like it can happen to anyone with any GPA. My NAS 161 teacher and now my NAS 162 teacher have both given the class a huge lecture after the first test about how nursing isn't for everyone and if you get a bad grade on your tests how you better pull it together and if you don't do better throughout the term they suggest you pick a new goal. I thought it was both true and harsh. It wasn't hard for me to hear these lectures though because I get really good grades but it seems as though NUR classes are nothing like the pre-reqs and that even if you are a 4.0 student, you can easily fail nursing school based simply on the fact that the nursing tests are so different. It scares me when I hear that all the answers are right but one answer is more right than the others.

:confused:

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In nursing exams--more so 2nd semester and on--- the answer is not always clear, as you have to put a few equations together--or as they say--Critical thinking!! Some questions, it is very clear what the correct answer is, some it comes down to maybe 2 or 3 choices, lot of times their is a key word that sets the correct answer apart. As well ensure you do ALL of the reading, some students don't, they rely only on the powerpoint slides. Some profs put all the info on them, but majority do not, they should only be used as a reference!

to sum thing sup----I found in the non-nursing classes, the questions and answers were a lot more straight forward, in the nursing classes, not so much,one has to know a few more pieces of the puzzle to come up with the answer. As well one has to keep up with the reading.

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