Hello all in the nursing world. I am considering quitting nursing school.
I am absolutely struggling to pass my Med Surg class. Majority of my classmates are in the same boat as I am. I really studied my butt off for this exam today. I studied my notes, books, and practice questions from the ATI, NCLEX books, and our required text book - for almost 6 days, religiously mind you.
When I was taking the test today, I was so sure I had a handle on these questions. I can see the answer pop out of the test paper. Nevertheless, I was still careful - eliminating answers until i can get the final answer. It felt good after turning in my test paper and scantron. I was almost sure I would only 4 questions.
After an hour later, my instructor came back with our scantrons -- full of red marks. I CANT BELIEVE IT. WHAT THE HECK WENT WRONG? I dont know what to do anymore to pass the class.
If I dont pass this class, I am out of the program. Maybe it will be less painful if I just accept the fact that GOD has not intended for me to become a nurse and quit.
So, I have to get 40/50 and 80/100, to pass this class. Please tell me nursing universe -- is it possible? If yes, how?
Even though it isnt going to be topics that are on tests again it really is imperative that you look to see how you answered tests to look at how you are taking tests. I know with a lot of the people in my class they simply selected an answer that was correct, not thinking about the most correct. Look to see how you did and pick your testing skills apart.
"Don't give up, don't give in" became my mantra after I failed my first nursing school exam. I had never gotten less than an A in any class before I started nursing school, so I had quite a shock....lots of tears and feeling like an absolute failure for about a week. Then I figured out how to take exams and it's been much easier to pass them...the secret is to figure out what the condition, disease process, procedure, etc looks like and what you, as the nurse, are going to to about it. If the patient has HTN, what are you going to about it, if the patient is post-op heart transplant what are you going to do about it, if the patient is at risk for aspiration what are you going to do about it? Sometimes I actually visualize a patient in front of me with all of the equipment I would expect them to have bedside so that I can get a visual and work from there. Keep on plugging away, and good luck on your next exam.:heartbeat
Specializes in Med Surge, Rehab, Urgent Care, Pysche.
To the Nursing Universe: Thank you all for all your encouragements and advices that you all have posted.
Here is an updated - today, per advice of cuteinpinkNS, I met with my advisor to see what were my options - quit or stay. My advisor suggested that I should withdraw from the class so I have another shot of staying in the program that I am in now. My advisor doesnt know when I will have a chance to come back and retake the class. I have expressed to her all that I have studied and the possibilities of what could have gone wrong - may be as long as 2 semesters before I can get back to retake the class. Thats a long time. Anyway, after my long story, my advisor tells me that I have have studied way over the what is needed and perhaps over rationalizing while I take the test. Maybe I did, maybe I didnt. Still dont know what went wrong until I meet with my instructor on monday. Perhaps at that time, my instructor can show me more clarity if I should withdraw from the class or FIGHT FIGHT until the end. My instructor's advice will help me make a final decision.
Oh by the way... I had my clinical midterm evaluations today and my score is through the roof. Its weird to me that I can do so well in clinicals but I suck in theory.
As of quitting the nursing profession, I really dont want to. I really like it. After considering all the Nursing Universe, my mentor (RN), and wife's (another RN) suggestion to stay and become an RN -- I am thinking of applying to another program who will accept all my transferable classes, if the best option for me is to withdraw from my current program. I have the whole weekend to think and pray about this.
Thank you all once again. God bless. I will keep you all updated. Again - any thoughts or advices is truly appreciated.
It's a good sign that you find your nursing instructors a little intimidating...that means you have respect for their position and you don't see them as buddies. Suck up the intimidation and set up an appt with the instructor in question and ask him/her what he/she thinks you are doing wrong and what you need to do to improve.
I keep reading stories here about nursing programs that (seem to) have a goal of seeing how many students will drop or flunk out. But I don't believe I'm in the only "success-oriented" nursing school in the nation! Maybe your instructors really do have your best interests in mind and want to help you do well...go find out for yourself before you make an expensiv, life-altering decision.
I am currently in Med/SurgI and yes it is alot of material but, what I do is I utilize the CD that came with my book and my book also has a website that works with my med/surg book and I utilize that. I try to devote an hour daily strictly to the NCLEX style questioning for the section that we are going over. The ones I get wrong I review the rationale to see why the answer that I picked is NOT the best one because usually there a 2-3 pretty good choices and just be sure that you take the time to understand what the question is asking and which is the BEST answer for the scenario presented in the question. Don't give up!!! You didn't get this far on good looks alone! LOL I hope this helps and I will pray that you continue to make it through.
40/50 and 80/100.... that is TOTALLY possable. Don't give up unless God audibly tells you to or you are forced to quit by the school. Stick with it, that is a very attainable goal. If it were 48/50 and 95/100... that would be much more grave but, no, your cituation is not that bad, you've got it just refine your study habits... maybe you are focusing on the wrong thing. You can study for 30 hours for one test but if it is not refined correctly it won't matter.
jcpenados
25 Posts
Dont give up dude! everything will be fine. Just be patient and turn to Him. He will provide. ^_^