When you are failing

hikernurse · Feb 6, 2012

I'd be inclined to stick it out. That way, you at least have exposure to the material which will be helpful if you have to retake the class.

Definitely talk to your instructor about areas you can improve. It sounds like she is willing to help you which is nice. If you demonstrate a willingness to learn from your mistakes, you'll get much farther--both in school and as a nurse.

Good luck!

Merlyn · Feb 6, 2012

When you are failing...what do you do? Do you drop out? Or do you stick it out and finish? My theory portion is good, but my clinical instructor says I am failing my clinical. There is a slight chance that I will pass my assessment test at the end of the quarter, but I am so effing scared. My abdominal assessments are the death of me! She said she is willing to help me out tomorrow and everything. I am so nervous. I have a patho midterm tomorrow, and I am so depressed. I feel like I have to work 10x as hard as everyone else to do half as well. And sometimes, I get tired of having to work so much harder than everyone else.

Take it easy, the teacher said she would't help you. She evidently sees the making of a good nurse. Go for it.

anonymousstudent · Feb 7, 2012

IMO, failing clinical skills is much more of a problem than failing theory. You can know everything you need to know from the book and be a terrible, unsafe nurse because you don't have the skill set. If it were the other way around I'd say stick it out. If you can't get yourself up to an average level soon, I'd repeat. You are just going to struggle with much more complicated skills in the future if you can't get these basics.

qcc2011grad · Feb 7, 2012

I agree clinical failure is a death wish. When I was in school luckily I graduate last year yeey . Those that failed clinical was particularly due to been unsafe especially during medication administration ,bed high postion, rails down etc etc. However if she told you that you need improvement and she is willing to help you then go for it dont give up , only you know what she really told you. Do not dowside it . If she believes your unsafe I doubt she will pass you and if she does then the professor in the upcoming semester may fail you if they do not see improvements but as I am writing this I remember.

oops let's get down to reality Nursing instructors rarely failed students who have A's in theory unless is something serious. I saw so many students that if It was me I would failed but like everything nursing schools have numbers to put out, money to collect.

becoming a good nurse is you responsibility, just apply yourself and work hard . Nursing schools teach the basics , theory , clinical but excellent nurses and made on the floor excellent nurses are those that applied themselves in clinical rotations when they were in school.

ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP · Feb 7, 2012

Wanted to add it is not because I am unsafe...it is my assessment skills. I am very cautious but I can't seem to get abdominal assessments.

Deredain · Feb 7, 2012

There is no substitute for practice and experience. I would be grabbing every friend and family member and doing the assessments on them. Do it everyday until it becomes second nature. It seemst he biggest hurdle for most in clinical is that they are timid when it comes to touching the patient.

Stick with it, you will do it and be posting how you overcame this bump in the road!

skulskcc01 · Feb 7, 2012

If abdominal assessments are bringing you down try you-tubing videos and watch them. My nursing school uses this "medcom" rn website and there are literally hundreds of skills videos from injections, cardiac, head-toe, abdominal, neuro, etc.. If you want to use that I believe you have to pay for it or you can you-tube it's free. It's always nice to watch videos. But, what helped me is writing down step by step what I had to do for each assessment memorize that and I was set. Don't give up :))