Complete melt down

Re: Complete melt down

SuzyM — Tue, 17 Sep 2013 13:13:39 GMT

[quote user="eveleen"]I did the practicals over and over again with a collegue, stayed late and on weekends to do this[/quote]

That's the best way! I practiced whenever I could at work. Timed everything for 6 minutes. I had an old fluid bag pinned to a dining chair at home and an old jersey with an i/v catheter 'placed' and I practiced the fluid calculations tasks and injecting into catheter and hanging the fluid bag, all timed for 6 minutes, every night for weeks, until the cows came home!! I don't think I'd have passed it if I hadn't!

Use your imagination, practice, practice, practice, don't leave any grey areas, and don't let it beat you! It can be done.

Re: Complete melt down

eveleen — Mon, 16 Sep 2013 21:10:07 GMT

I didn't pass until my 4th attempt on my practical exam, I was fine with my theory exams but kept failing the practicals down to mainly nerves. My last attempt I did the practicals over and over again with a collegue, stayed late and on weekends to do this. If your nerves are really getting the better of you, you could get some medication from the doctor (last resort).

Re: Complete melt down

Charlotte K — Mon, 16 Sep 2013 13:21:19 GMT

I sat mine for first time on saturday and it was one of the most daunting things ever. It was the not knowing how everything is set out. Luckily we didn't have any gloving OSCE's though, don't think my shaking hands would have maintained sterility!

Re: Complete melt down

Emily Wright — Sun, 15 Sep 2013 16:51:13 GMT

Fingers crossed your just remembering the things that went wrong and hopefully you did fine, I'm very confused on how they mark the practicals anyway someone told me the percent to pass depends on the whole group at that time ? Not sure if that's true but just got to try and be positive and think of the things you did well, most people I know passed on second and third attempts so all is not lost Emily

Re: Complete melt down

Nichola Healey — Sun, 15 Sep 2013 14:44:01 GMT

I completely agree they are horrible, horrible exams! I've never struggled with exmams like this before, GCSEs, A levels, drama, driving test etc... Never have I felt like I did in there! I qualified in Australia and have been nursing for 4 years now, but in order to register here I have to pass the OSCEs. Having failed (well and truly) in July on one of those scorching hot days, I felt more confident going in today. but completely stuffed up the X-ray one (one of the few I passed in July?!) and was shaking like a lead the whole way through. It wasn't quite as bad but I would really struggle to do it a third time. I keep joking that ill go and work at tesco and ppl keep saying "no you must carry on and conquer it" etc etc, but I agree it feels a long way off! Chin up :) you are most certainly not alone!

Re: Complete melt down

Emily Wright — Sat, 14 Sep 2013 23:30:41 GMT

My first attempt was today and I must say no amount of preparation could prepare anyone for that my hands never stopped shaking and had a complete meltdown at the closed gloving as the gown was massive on me and I couldn't get the gloves through the thick material... Glad it's over though I guess everyone understands they are hard and you just have to keep trying :/