Tips On Getting through nursing school when I already failed 1 course

NSGstudent12 · Jul 31, 2011

I had med surge last semester and I barely passed! It was very difficult but what I found helpful was buying the work book that went along with our med surge book. The questions were great and helped with the tests. Of course I also used the Nclex work book.

I also started doing alot better when I found a study partner that I worked well with half way through the semester. It made all the difference. Do you study with a partner?

BelleNscrubs04 · Jul 31, 2011

Are you studying Med Surge now? It will help you be ready and also might help you be more confident and calm your nerves. Study now so you don't find yourself cramming and skipping the sleep you need to do well test. You also might want to they visualizing yourself rocking the first test. Picture it in detail each time before/after you study. It will help to motivate you and reduce test anxiety. Good luck!

Lifeofanurse · Jul 31, 2011

Tell us about how they test? The med surg was it all application type questions (similiar to nclex style) or were they mostly the black and white, u know it or u don't type (the normal serum calcuim values are: xxx xxxxx).

That will tell you where you need to spend most of your study time.

I lacked the black and white type knowledge. I could get the application ones pretty easily because I understand nursing process pretty well..but if you don't...your going to have a harder time w/ those.

Concentrate on your weak area.

Another thing I did was immediately after a test...I would think about the questions that gave me the most trouble...as in catagory.. cardio, mental/ocd, maternal/breathing during labor...etc... and would go home THAT DAY and study..study...study... it isn't like you won't see them again. They will be in your final exams, on your exit (if you have one) and on the Nclex.

This is how I've done it since the very first test..and have done well. I haven't had to really study for finals because I know my weak areas and work on them LONG before finals come around.

Good luck!!!!

Ceema09 · Jul 31, 2011

Hello NSGstudent12,

I don't have a study partner. I use to have one but she isn't in my class anymore. If I see my classmates studying in the library, I might join but I tend to stay away because they do more talking about everything else instead of focusing on the material at hand.

Ceema09 · Jul 31, 2011

Thank you so much Meghantk. I need all the motivation I can get. Since January will be my 2nd time taking it I have no room for error.

Ceema09 · Jul 31, 2011

Hello LifeofaNurse,

The questions were split 50/50. I knew the black and white stuff because I read my material and book inside out. However, when it came to the application stuff that's where my weakness falls. I know the material but applying is where I get messed up. On every test in Med surg I had it down to the last 2 answers and always seemed to pick the wrong one. I just could choose the right answer. I really appreciate all the advice you and the others have given. thank you.

NSGstudent12 · Jul 31, 2011

I had that problem too, it was so hard to find someone to study with! 3 ppl was too much, and way too much gossiping. It took me until the middle of my 2nd semester to find someone who studied like me! ha.

NurseCJV · Jul 31, 2011

I have good friends of mine that are coming back after failing a course. I basically told them to keep up with the reading and do practice questions while waiting to take the course again. Don't think about it as having already one strike. Think about it as a fresh start. Of course you are going a have a little bit more sense of urgency to attain high marks but don't let it get to you.

Practice questions with rationales help. Just by constantly doing NCLEX style questions, you can familiarize yourself with how they try to deceive you and make you think that all four options are the best answers. Most of the time all four options are correct BUT they are looking for the BEST answer among those four. I always found being tricked into the wrong answer when I do practice questions are the best way to learn because I become aware of what went wrong in my thought process or my critical thinking process then I try not to make the same mistake again. When I do get stuck with a question, I try to simplify the question and NOT try to make it more complicated by convincing myself that this answer could be right or that answer could be right etc. Instead, I just go back to the basics ie. follow my ABC's, the hierarchy of needs, nursing process etc. Of course questions are more complicated and require comprehensive critical thinking skills BUT you would be surprised how it works especially early in your MED-SURG studies.

Plenty of my peers get test anxiety. I don't know if you are in the same boat. Its easy for me to say to them that they are just hurting themselves by being too nervous. But I also know that some people cant help it. Test anxiety is perfectly normal. What matters is how it affects your concentration and ability to recall what you studied.

I hope all this makes sense. I tend to be all over the place when talking about these things.:)

NurseCJV · Jul 31, 2011

I had that problem too, it was so hard to find someone to study with! 3 ppl was too much, and way too much gossiping. It took me until the middle of my 2nd semester to find someone who studied like me! ha.

When I get into any study group it becomes more of a "hang-out session." I do my best studying alone. Some people do their best studying alongside other people. They just bounce of each other and get to see different perspectives about the subject. That said, even though I study by myself most of the time, I also find time to join a study group.

ashleyisawesome, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2011

Tell us about how they test? The med surg was it all application type questions (similiar to nclex style) or were they mostly the black and white, u know it or u don't type (the normal serum calcuim values are: xxx xxxxx).
That will tell you where you need to spend most of your study time.
I lacked the black and white type knowledge. I could get the application ones pretty easily because I understand nursing process pretty well..but if you don't...your going to have a harder time w/ those.
Concentrate on your weak area.
Another thing I did was immediately after a test...I would think about the questions that gave me the most trouble...as in catagory.. cardio, mental/ocd, maternal/breathing during labor...etc... and would go home THAT DAY and study..study...study... it isn't like you won't see them again. They will be in your final exams, on your exit (if you have one) and on the Nclex.
This is how I've done it since the very first test..and have done well. I haven't had to really study for finals because I know my weak areas and work on them LONG before finals come around.
Good luck!!!!

I'm curious, if you lacked the black and white knowledge, how were you able to apply it? You have to memorize AND apply its not one or the other. you can be a great critical thinker, but if you have not learned all the lab values, s/s, interventions, expected outcomes, how will you know what to do with them? :confused: