struggling in last semester

[careforme11]

I'm in my last semester, I go to 7 day adventist college where 86 is a B- I've been doing fine. But, I'm having alot of difficulty this semester. I'm just not grasping the critical thinking at a higher level. This last semester is strictly ICU and ER information and for whatever reason I'm not doing well. I don't wanna fail, I want to graduate. So far, my grade is 74,80 and 78 we have two more exams and a final. I don't know if I should drop the class or continue to struggle, and see what happen?

[racing-mom4, BSN, RN]

I too struggled my last semester. Some how I went into the semester thinking "they are going to fail us our last semester" I was wrong. When midterm came I was just a few percent points above passing. I had never gone into midterm that low before.

My advice....study-study-study and then study some more. Find a study partner and meet wtih them at least once a week if not twice. Target your Saunders/Davis or what ever Nclex disk you have to the topic your working on in class and do practice Nclex questions on those topics.

What ever topic your studying, use multiple resources to study from, text books are great, but they are dry to read, so key in those topics into Google/Yahoo and read other sources of information, maybe something you read on line will sink in and will make more sence of your text book readings.

If you work, you may need to cut back. Look at this semester as your job. Keep thinking you only have so many weeks left till your done, and then you will be an RN and making more money, so sacrafice now, to gain later.

You can do it. It is tough, but it will make you stronger.

I dont envy you. My last semester was a bear. I still have evil thoughts towards my teacher and my clinical instructor.

And if you dont understand the topic during lecture, raise your hand and ask questions, that is what your paying for. Nursing school is too expensive to have to repeat a class. You can do it, now go study!!!!!

[careforme11]

Thank you so much for your advice. I'm having the same thoughts that you described about my teachers. I think they are out to fail me or something...I have two more exams and a final. So we'll see.

[GingerSue]

keep studying

and all the best to you

[careforme11]

thank You!

[BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN]

Thank you so much for your advice. I'm having the same thoughts that you described about my teachers. I think they are out to fail me or something...I have two more exams and a final. So we'll see.

While I don't know your instructors personally, my guess is they are not out to fail you. They are out to get you to answer higher level questions successfully, to prepare you for NCLEX. So, what to do? Study NCLEX questions. Do the questions that are related to what your theory lectures are on. And buy some "critical thinking" books, ones with scenarios, where you need to prioritize and look at more complex patients. Forget about memorizing, just think, think, think. What would you do as the nurse in practice? While 2 or 3 of your choices may be correct, which one is the best, primary, or most important intervention or action?

Don't give up now... you are so close.