Why don't they teach us before testing us?

Published Oct 29, 2008

8 Posts

I have a serious issue with the way my school approaches preparation for the clinical setting. Our lab has "modules" that we must complete, perform a redemonstration of the skills, and then take a test in order to be considered proficient. However, for something like kids meds, we have to take a test before ever stepping foot in our lecture class let alone any other place to learn about pediatric medication. So I just took this test and we needed to get a 100 on the dosage and calculation part, 80% on the more theory based section. I studied all of the articles, read every book I could, and I still didnt get a 100. They make you retake the test a second time and again require a 100. I did it again- I didn't get a 100. My answers were marked wrong for looking too deeply into a question or being too broad when listing side effects (even though I originally was penalized for being too specific). All of my calculations were correct, I reasoned my interventions as best as I could, yet it still wasn't satisfactory.

Why do our instructors assume that we know how to handle a drug overdose, what to monitor first and foremost after a medication administration, what side effects to list broadly versus specifically? I wasn't born a nurse- hence the STUDENT on my nametag. It would be a million times better to have current nurses teach us what to do in these situations, who to call if certain things go wrong, and the reasons for interventions. Does anyone else feel like we are just expected to think like a nurse the minute we enter nursing school? If I could learn everything from a few articles or books, then why are there so many nursing schools and professors around for us? TEACH ME, PLEASE! That's all I ask of these people. TEACH ME!!