The famous "I failed" thread

breezy7, BSN, RN · Mar 6, 2014

All I can say is that I completely understand. I think most of us have been there. But, you know what? You've got two more tests, and you're GOING to pass.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Mar 6, 2014

I agree that family should always trump any other part of your life. But it may be time to re-frame. Instead of seeking the comfort that comes with identifying with the "more than half" that failed, it's time to figure out what the other (successful) group is doing and emulate them. Nursing isn't about doing 'just enough' or settling for less than your best effort. Our patients deserve this.

There is a 'thing' in education theory called "causal attribution". This is how people explain things that happen to them. If someone tends to justify poor performance due to external factors -- "it wasn't my fault"; "bad teachers"; " too much work", "bad weather made me late" etc.... they believe that they have very little control over the outcome and therefore don't feel that anything they do will make a difference - it's fate, right? On the other hand, some people believe that they can always influence/exert control on the world around them to change outcomes... they have an internal locus of control. When they don't achieve a goal, they modify their own behavior and try again.

Food for thought . . .

kgh31386, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 6, 2014

THIS!

I agree that family should always trump any other part of your life. But it may be time to re-frame. Instead of seeking the comfort that comes with identifying with the "more than half" that failed, it's time to figure out what the other (successful) group is doing and emulate them. Nursing isn't about doing 'just enough' or settling for less than your best effort. Our patients deserve this.
There is a 'thing' in education theory called "causal attribution". This is how people explain things that happen to them. If someone tends to justify poor performance due to external factors -- "it wasn't my fault"; "bad teachers"; " too much work", "bad weather made me late" etc.... they believe that they have very little control over the outcome and therefore don't feel that anything they do will make a difference - it's fate, right? On the other hand, some people believe that they can always influence/exert control on the world around them to change outcomes... they have an internal locus of control. When they don't achieve a goal, they modify their own behavior and try again.
Food for thought . . .

kgh31386, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 6, 2014

Start looking at what those who were successful did. No excuses...pick yourself up and find out what it will take to do better next time. And nursing school doesn't expect you to quit those other things. Many people work and have a family, yet they're still successful. Find out what went wrong and stop focusing on the half that failed.

RNtobe556 · Mar 6, 2014

I got to share this. This past summer I started Nursing 1. I completely failed. I was working on sundays which was STUPID of me knowing that my tests were mostly Mondays... On the first test I made an D, then an F on the second test. I was not happy at all. I was studying not as much as I should have. I was also going through a lot with my grandmother in and out of the hospital. This time its not much different except for the grades. I made a B on both first and third tests and an C on the second test. I have decided to only work on Saturdays. But besides work, I have a dad who just had an amputation on his foot. anyways I know what it is like needed to pay bills, and take care of family. I wasn't trying to put my life out there, but wanted to encourage people. It is doable. Stay focused and stay Positive. If you really want to do this you can :)

-P.S.: Im talking to myself as well :)

Mommy_RN1211 · Mar 7, 2014

I am definitely not placing blame. I literally didn't have time to finish the reading. My only complaint was that if the majority of the class failed then we are the majority vs the ones who barely passed are the minority. Not everyone is a terrible student who didn't study enough. If so then our program must be a joke. Most felt inadequately prepared. I personally just have so many obligations that I simply didn't have time to get through the reading. I dont think an A makes a good nurse. I would rather make C's all the way through but thoroughly understand vs cram to get an A and forget it all. Definitely staying positive..just venting.

mrsboots87 · Mar 7, 2014

Students with As aren't cramming. Nursing school tests are comprehensive and build on all prev material. I would actually make the assumption that C students and failing students are more likely the ones cramming and then forgetting. Your attitude about not allowing nursing school to take over your life and blaming the test and school is what's holding you back. I have a family, and help runs my husbands bussiness and I har a solid A currently. I spend plenty of time with my kids. I devote an entire weekend day to family time. Sometimes the whole weekend. But if I don't feel comfortable with material my family will have to survive without me so I can study. I have found that all the students in y class who fail tests (somewhere between a third and half) blame something. "We weren't lectured on this" " there were too many chapters" "the test questions were bad" so on. From the perspective of an A student in my class, none of that holds true. Sure, your test could have been poorly written. But in most cases not enough time was devoted to studying. In the last 3 weeks I have had my second exam, 2 math tests, 2 skills tests, and the regular clinical and care plan time plus the regular reading and studying to do. I aced all of the test. Many people did not and blamed something. In school we all need to buck up and make it work. Maybe you should let nursing scho take just a little but more of your life. You would probably do better.

You made it this far. Whether the test was bad or not, and whether the school is good or bad, you can't control any of that. What you can control is how you study an manage your time to truly learn what is being taught. Dust yourself off, and maybe even sit with your instructor toget rationale behind the answers you got wrong so you can do better on the next test. GL

Mommy_RN1211 · Mar 7, 2014

I greatly appreciate everyone's input. I would caution however making blanket statements about how you study so your truth is absoulte. I was simply venting about my experience although I am a pretty good student. Pulling A's in skills and clinical. See I am a more hands on learner making those classes a breeze for me. Theory however is a bit tougher as it is a lot of reading and memorizing. I did great with the critical thinking questions because again I am a good hands on learner, good with application based questions. This test however was a lot of definitions and straight from the book questions that I did not do well with.

Sometimes though when you assume how much someone is studying, or assume what someone's thoughts are then it creates a blanket statement that may or may not be true to that person. This is supposed to be encouraging for all not "my grade is better then your grade and this is why" type of deal. Some people are quicker to grasp the material, doesn't make them any more of a better student than others.

Anyways this test around the reading load is a bit less so hopefully that will help. I will take the advice and run with it! Thanks:)