Struggling in nursing school..

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I'm doing so-so in one course but horribly failing in another course. The classes are a bit too accelerated for me, and combined with clinicals I feel like I don't have enough time to memorize and master the material in order to ace my exams. I'm tested every week, in both classes, and I cannot find a balance at all. I just don't understand why nursing is all about cramming, what is so wrong with giving students enough time to digest the material? Why can't the exams and quizzes be spaced out a bit more? I really only have one or two days to study for two classes. One instructor barely teaches anything or tells you what is going to be on the exam. The other instructor is a lot better but I just don't have enough time to study what she offers...I dont know what to do. Maybe nursing isn't for me at all

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Before you fail, go talk to the professors! Ask them to review what you're getting wrong and ask them what you need to be focusing on so you can study smarter, not harder. It might just be something simple, like you're focusing on one thing when you should be focusing on another. Plus, if you've put some legwork in to let them know you're trying your best to master this, it shows them that you're really trying and they might work with you to make sure you pass. Good luck!

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one professor is just not helpful at all. she's stingy with the powerpoints, and doesn't give us any useful information to pass the test. she doesn't even do a review. i have no idea how the other students are getting by

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Specializes in NICU.

Next week I have 4 tests: One Monday and 3 on Wednesday. You are only taking 2 classes, try taking 4. I have a test practically every week and some weeks 2-3 tests (couple times 2-3 on the same day) . That is not including 2 different clinicals (med/surg. and Mental Health), 2 term papers, weekly journal entries for 2 classes, assessment lab with a ton of homework. It is just part of nursing school.

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Specializes in Oncology.

Why don't you study with other people to help you learn (read: not merely memorize) the material?

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Next week I have 4 tests: One Monday and 3 on Wednesday. You are only taking 2 classes, try taking 4. I have a test practically every week and some weeks 2-3 tests (couple times 2-3 on the same day) . That is not including 2 different clinicals (med/surg. and Mental Health), 2 term papers, weekly journal entries for 2 classes, assessment lab with a ton of homework. It is just part of nursing school.

how do you do all of this and actually pass? I cannot handle that much of a workload. It's overwhelming for me

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Why don't you study with other people to help you learn (read: not merely memorize) the material?

there's no time to meet up outside of lecture and clinicals.

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Specializes in ICU / Urgent Care.

Where theres a will, theres a way.

Others have done it, so can you.

Stop.complaining and do it.

Its not meant to be easy, and frankly im glad it isnt.

I sure dont want to be treated by limp wristed nurses when i get older.

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Specializes in Oncology.
there's no time to meet up outside of lecture and clinicals.

Yes there is. You just have to make the time is it's important to you.

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So what are your options and plan accordingly. It actually sounds very typical of a nursing program to be honest

How are you planning your time? I work FT and go to school so I've told all my friends I'm unavailable, I schedule study time and I hunker down. It's HARD if nursing school were easy we wouldn't hae this forum to vent in :)

There IS time to meet up outside of clinicals and lectures, you just have to MAKE the time.

I never really memorized things, I read the material, went to lecture and learned application of what I learned. there's too much material to outright memorize anything (outside of lab values) so think about how you're studying... have you reviewed your exams, how are you making mistakes? I think I make the same kinds of mistakes on exams, so when I evaluated that I started doing better.

You can do it. I don't know how far you are into the program but for me it was 2 years of not-so-fun fun

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Specializes in NICU.
how do you do all of this and actually pass? I cannot handle that much of a workload. It's overwhelming for me

You don't procrastinate and get the papers done as early in the semester as possible before the end of the semester test overload. I am in an accelerated BSN and we are united to help everyone pass so we compile test questions from book, NCLEX book/cd, ATI book and online questions and then distribute it to the cohort to help everyone study. It is kind of like the military in which "no man is left behind". If someone is struggling then others help them study for tests. We have 29 in our cohort and we expect 29 to graduate in August or the cohort has failed to get them to the finish line. Nursing is a team profession and we using that concept in nursing school. We use social media to remind each other of things that are due or upcoming tests, any websites that can help with care plans or homework. We don't all get along 100% of the time, but we are one "dysfunctional" family.

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I suggest to go to the dollar store and pick up a planner. Write down all your assignment due days and times and test days then everyday before that day PEN in what you are going to study what time and for how long. And STICK TO IT! study the material you learned that day on the same day and build on it everyday. Seems like all you need is a little time management. Also determine your learning style and use it to your advantage. For example I am a visual learner and a hands on learner.. youtube has some great material with visual aids and use clinical time to really make the connection from things in the book.

Hope this helps. Good luck

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