I am primarily just venting my fears out, so sorry this is long. If you read it and have any advice please give!
I’m 28 and back in school for Nursing (2 year RN program). I am at end of my first semester of Nursing, however I had to take a couple pre-reqs so i’m 3 semesters deep. I want to preface this by saying I have a previous bachelors degree and had a 3.8 gpa. I got an A in all my bio’s.. I’ve always been a “smart girl’ but these tests are so hard. They are all tricks of wording, and there is so much content.
I have failed 2 out of 3 of my nursing exams so far, both by 3 points (passing is 75) my course average is currently an 82.
Exam 1 I got a 72
Exam 2 I got an 84
Exam 3 I got a 72
I have Exam 4 tomorrow and the Final Exam is next week.. I only need a 65 on both to pass the class (they are all weighted differently and I have 100 on all assignments + skills assessments) so it’s achievable but i’m scared shitless.
We started the semester with 75 students, we had about 20 drop out or get kicked out so far, and the instructors just announced they only anticipate about half of us to move forward.. It feels like the damn hunger games.
All I do is study. Ive lost weight. I can’t sleep at night because my brain won’t chill the fuck out. Before exams 1 and 3 I maybe slept 3 hours and I failed them both. Also during exam 3 I felt sick the whole time (I have POTS and also just found out i’m Anemic so i’m sure these combined with nerves).
If I fail I can repeat the semester but only if I get at least a 70 in the class, and it would be my only re-do for the entire duration of the program (we have to finish in 5 semesters or we get booted).. They told us if we get booted we don’t qualify to apply to any other nursing schools?
I gave up so much to be here. I would be a fantastic nurse. I am putting everything I have into this.. and it might all be for nothing. Are all programs like this? No wonder there’s a nursing shortage.
It feels like my instructors make it really difficult on purpose too.. like I know nursing is hard in general but they make it worse, I think they are using scare techniques to try and see which students are really willing to devote themselves and rule out the bad eggs.
Anyway, if you made it this far, thanks for coming to my ted talk. I’d love some advice from people that have been through this.. How do I sleep tonight? please pray for me lol.