Words of encouragment...please

NurseFrustrated · Oct 17, 2013

I failed a couple of tests in nursing school but I still made it through. I failed one big test because I had something weird happening the night before the test. I was getting strange stalker calls on my home phone all night! I was home alone and was weirded out and it affected my studying. The next morning I called the phone company and had my phone number changed and fortunately nothing else stalkerish ever happened. These were the days when people still had home phones, about 10 or 12 years ago. lol.

But things happen and just keep trying your best. It's your overall score that determines whether or not you pass the class. Try to study extra hard for the next test and ace it and it will bring up your overall score in the class. If there is something in clinicals that you are not getting talk to your instructor about it. I'm sure they will be glad to try to help you.

Marsha238612 · Oct 17, 2013

I'm sorry you're having a bad day. I'm not a nursing student yet (starting this Jan 2014) but I can imagine it's a lot of work and commitment.

But don't give up. You've made it as far as getting accepted to nursing school which is already a great accomplishment. Stick to it. Look for help from your classmates, instructors. Keep trying :)

Best of luck and sending you positive vibes

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

Suivredusoleil · Oct 18, 2013

Thank you both!

TU RN, DNP, CRNA · Oct 19, 2013

Is your confidence shot? Are you shuddering at the sight of that beautiful GPA you had prior to nursing school drop off like an early Wright brother's project? Do you feel defeated? Then you're in a position almost every nurse was in; one I was certainly in. Some may lie about the hard times they had, few will attest to it being easy, and even fewer actually had it easy.

I was one test away from failing two separate classes my first semester of nursing school in a 2+2 BSN program. Along with all the additional stuff we were expected to finish for school (ie 10-12 page care guides for clinical, skill competencies, weekly online quizzes) not to mention other time drains like transportation and extracurriculars/hospital experience, it can easily get to be too much (of course extracurriculars aren't "necessary," but if you want any decent urban hospital to think twice you gotta be marketable). The complexity of the subject matter and the need to actually understand the concepts in depth required time I simply didn't think possible. Sound familiar?

All things considered, I felt like I was on the verge of a mental breakdown. I spoke to my professors about ways to improve my study habits, I researched the internet for ways to get through it (including "war stories" and inspirational accounts on this very same forum), and even went to a counselor because I truly felt beat down to an emotional low I had never known before in my life. It felt like no matter what I did to tune out the anxiety, there was some interlocutor reminding me about everything I had to do/catch up on.

Some thing's that helped me:

1. Make a list of everything you need to do. I never kept a planner before nursing school, but having one through school really really helped me tackle what I needed to do in a timely, priority-driven manner. Time management is key in being a nurse, and it starts in nursing school.

2. Get ahead. I'm sure by now every teacher/professor you have has drilled the point "don't wait until the last minute!" Well, as a nursing school survivor and RN, I support this message. You're doing your future self a huge favor by building this skill now.

3. Give yourself breaks while studying. If you can't concentrate on what you're reading and feel like nothing's sinking in, then stop reading and "restart your brain". Watch an episode of your favorite show or go for a run or read something for leisure, but don't keep reading that one sentence 10-11 times. Then after you restart your brain, get back into the reading and really try to find a genuine interest in it. Some subjects aren't for everybody. I found psych to be very tiresome and repetitive, but by relating it to my own life and experiences I sort of found it easier. For instance I managed to identify that I have every personality disorder

4. Participate in class and clinical. By putting yourself out there only two things can happen: either you're wrong or you're right. If you're right, awesome. You know your stuff and you look good in front of class and teacher. Whatever. If you're wrong, you stand to gain so much more. You look like a student who is learning (which is what you are), and more importantly you will never forget that particular subject again.

5. Never give up/keep your eye on the prize. Nursing school is tough. Treat every experience as a learning opportunity. With every mistake and failure you are only getting better at what you do. In the end, you will succeed as thousands of struggling nursing students have before you. You will be joining am fulfilling career with good pay and countless opportunities for professional development and advancement.

TU RN

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Oct 19, 2013

6. Your faculty really does want to see you succeed, but they will not come find you if you are sliding. It's your responsibility to ask for help. Make appointments to confer with faculty every week to make sure you're getting it all, understanding clearly, and if you have any questions get them clarified immediately.

Don't wait for the failing grade to be your first clue. If you have a long-term assignment, like a huge care study or paper or project, check in c your instructor every week to go over your progress and make sure you're on the right track. If you do poorly on a quiz, get immediate feedback on where you went astray, and WHY.

Suivredusoleil · Oct 25, 2013

This is all very helpful advice! Thank you so much!

nursephillyphil, BSN, RN · Oct 25, 2013

You can't change that test you took, staying down and sulking about it is only going to carry on to your next test. I did horrible on some exams during nursing school, but that very same day after the test i started preparing for the next one. You gotta learn to let go and keep moving forward, thats the only way you'll graduate right? If that specific class is the one that you are worried about, talk to your professor and schedule regular meetings with him/her; that way you can go over any questions or weak areas you've found while studying. I did that for my OB class and it helped a LOT, and it shows the teacher that you do care about your performance.

We will all have our bad days, its inevitable, but you gotta move forward!

minniebrown · Oct 25, 2013

Getting a failing grade is rough. Don't beat yourself up too much. I've had two assignments this semester that didn't go quite as planned because of feeling overwhelmed and stressed. I try not to go too far down the road of feeling bad about myself because it doesn't help. It is wasted energy. You have some new things to work on, but you can do it. This is just one set back. Make a plan, speak with your instructors, and keep moving forward.

losilva95 · Oct 25, 2013

You're not alone! I'm a struggling RN student. I'm less than 1 point from passing theory and I'm going crazy thinking about it. Never studied in my life! I just went over my power points the morning before class and always managed to make A's and B's. I'm trying to figure this whole thing out because it's new to me, and I'm not giving up. I feel like everyone is smarter than me and feel like a total idiot. I'm lucky that nursing is such a united community because I've received tons of support that has kept me going! We gotta hang in there.

Dranger · Oct 25, 2013

One test, there are many more to do well on.