Struggling And Unsure ... Temporarily

[brown eyed girl]

Ok. So we are ending our 5th week of a 12 week quarter. I have officially (as of today) failed my 2nd mother-baby test (score increased ) and failed my first med-surg test (8 points below minimum passing) with the next one this coming week. For both of the first tests, I made the same mistake twice; which was trying to write all the "important" information to the point of, not covering all the required chapters and left with only 1 day to study. Trust me, I know better but unconsciously fell into it.

Now, I'm just at a loss at how to study, what to study, and how long to study. To add insult to injury, both of my instructors (one more than the other) lecture word for word out of the book instead of introducing and elaborating each concept which isn't helping me. I do the homework but, it doesn't count until you have an average of minimum passing for exams.

With all that said, I'm seriously considering dropping OB (2 exams left not including specialty) or, dropping all together and walking away. I really want my RN but I don't want to fail (can only fail 2 nursing classes then dismissed from the program) and I most definitely don't want to drop temporarily only to return to THE SAME INSTRUCTORS who I'm not really learning from. Plus, I don't want to be potentially placed on financial aid probation.

I'm upset, highly frustrated, and confused.

[brown eyed girl]

I found the Mary Hogan series of books really helpful. She has one for almost any topic. On amazon, I found the Maternal-Newborn, 2nd ed for $7

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_pg_2?rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3Ahogan+nursing+books&page=2&keywords=hogan+nursing+books&ie=UTF8&qid=1414584696

I used this series to pass school and the NCLEX.

Thanks. I'm willing to try it. I just have to confirm that there is/isn't a way to come back from this.

[brown eyed girl]

There are 2 things to focus on. Vocabulary and the "goal" of the chapter.

If there is tutoring available at the school, use their services.

Good luck!

The school started tutoring last week or the week before but I've been going on the days I can due to clinical or work.

[EKRN2014]

I used the "Made Incredibly Easy" books in school and it really made a difference. I HIGHLY recommend them because I found my nursing text to be too dense (when I tried to sit through and read it without knowing anything about the topic, I probably only absorbed 50%). So, I would first read the Made Incredibly Easy book (before lecture), then study my notes and then read parts of my nursing text. The important thing is to UNDERSTAND the topics, not know everything in the book (which surprisingly isn't the same thing). Also, I did lots of practice questions. I used the Success series mostly (Medsurg Success-Davis' Q&A series, which is also available for maternity, peds, etc).

Most importantly, you have to find what works for you. I like to be super organized, so I made a list of all of the topics for a test. I would go through and make a second list of the ones that I was shaky one. I would then go and find additional resources for that topic. I found a lot of YouTube videos that were invaluable in understanding the material. For me, things like watching the YouTube videos, practicing questions and making my own drawings/notes was a lot more helpful than the textbook.

The key to succeeding in nursing school is figuring out how YOU learn.

There was one semester, when I had a teacher like yours. Lecture was so boring and I didn't learn anything from her. However, I made myself responsible for my own learning (not saying that you're not) and sought out ways to learn the material.

Hope some of my advice helps you. Good luck! If you still have the option of dropping one of the classes so that you can pull up your grade in the other class, that would probably be the option that I would take. Don't give up! It sounds like you just need to make changes in how you study that will work better for you.

[brown eyed girl]

I used the "Made Incredibly Easy" books in school and it really made a difference. I HIGHLY recommend them because I found my nursing text to be too dense (when I tried to sit through and read it without knowing anything about the topic, I probably only absorbed 50%). So, I would first read the Made Incredibly Easy book (before lecture), then study my notes and then read parts of my nursing text. The important thing is to UNDERSTAND the topics, not know everything in the book (which surprisingly isn't the same thing). Also, I did lots of practice questions. I used the Success series mostly (Medsurg Success-Davis' Q&A series, which is also available for maternity, peds, etc).

Most importantly, you have to find what works for you. I like to be super organized, so I made a list of all of the topics for a test. I would go through and make a second list of the ones that I was shaky one. I would then go and find additional resources for that topic. I found a lot of YouTube videos that were invaluable in understanding the material. For me, things like watching the YouTube videos, practicing questions and making my own drawings/notes was a lot more helpful than the textbook.

The key to succeeding in nursing school is figuring out how YOU learn.

There was one semester, when I had a teacher like yours. Lecture was so boring and I didn't learn anything from her. However, I made myself responsible for my own learning (not saying that you're not) and sought out ways to learn the material.

Hope some of my advice helps you. Good luck! If you still have the option of dropping one of the classes so that you can pull up your grade in the other class, that would probably be the option that I would take. Don't give up! It sounds like you just need to make changes in how you study that will work better for you.

YES! I'm very big on UNDERSTANDING THE INFORMATION! LOL! It's not enough for me to just read it; I want to understand it fully to be able to answer questions about the topic. What I'm trying to convey is that the test is over "random" information covered in x amount of chapters; it's not 8 questions on this disorder, 5 questions on x specialty exam during pregnancy. One questions was over an "elaboration" that ISN'T in the text. It's odd because the instructor most often DOESN'T ELABORATE. SMH. Trust me, it's frustrating and weird.

[brown eyed girl]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I really appreciate it. Today, I officially dropped my med surg class. I'm really really upset. It was my plan to take the next test, get my score, and then make a definitive decision. However, I didn't because the next test is AFTER the final drop date and not before like I thought. This hurts so bad right now and I'm so embarrassed. I just can't understand why or how this is happening. I don't understand how I had a great head start with already being a "nurse with plenty of experience, and I couldn't pass a test. Now, I can't finish until next September...3 months before I was originally supposed to graduate before I went ft. So it will be 2 years instead of 18 months. Right now, I feel like I should've stayed pt.

[Wave Watcher]

Don't be embarrassed! My 2nd semester I failed out of my math calculations tests. I had to drop Med surg and take it again the next semester. I watched my classmates go on without me but guess what......I graduated with my RN degree. It may not have been with my original class but it doesn't matter. What matters is I went back and gave it my 100% (not saying you are not...sounds like you are really doing all you can) and passed all my classes. It put me behind 6 months also. I took the opportunity to keep studying my calculations so I was prepared the next semester. :-) No worries....hang in there.....you are worthy and deserving of all good things. Hugs.

[caliotter3]

It is better to graduate later than you had planned, than to not graduate at all. Take a deep breath and put everything you have into your efforts. Best wishes.

[brown eyed girl]

Thanks. As the day progressed, I started slowly becoming comfortable with my decision. It's kinda odd but, I realized what I need to be successful in learning and critical thinking; I'm a visual and hands on learner, so listening to a lecture over a body system and it's common disorders does absolutely nothing for me. I need to know what's different about them, are the labs the same, and MY 5 PRIMARY NURSING ACTIONS. I need to know what to do and why; and what to possibly look for....period. I need to know the MAIN S.E. OR ADVERSE REACTION to look for in a particular med, not 4; I need my instructor to explain what your looking for and why so, doing nclex questions won't be so difficult. A LOT OF TIME could be saved for more nclex questions or even better, an interactive review for the class for the info to stick!