A question about questions.

[Beautiful Mind RN]

It's exactly how the title states. To briefly state my situation, I am starting to move forward into my nursing core classes and of course that entails taking NCLEX type tests. I seem to be struggling with that. It is not because I do not get the material, it is just trying to transition from one test taking technique(ones you find in general education courses) to another(NCLEX type questions).

I usually read a question and look for the right answer right away, rather than look over the question, analyze it, look over the answers, and see what is the BEST answer. I also have trouble with SELECT ALL THAT APPLY questions.

I am starting to step towards a solution by taking more NCLEX type questions at home and getting tutoring from my teachers, however, I just wanted to see what fellow nursing students and maybe even current new grads had done in order to start putting themselves into that type of mind set.

Any help that could be offered would be great, thank you!

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

The reason that there are more and more SATAs ("select all that apply") is because the research into why new grads make errors in their first year of practice indicates that this is part of their problem: They can't look at the big picture. This is another way at testing your critical thinking skills. You can't memorize for it as you could for a lab value or a med side effect; as in real-life nursing you have to be able to put the pieces together to make good decisions.

Word to the wise who are still in school-- work hard on that. This is why faculties are being pressed to emphasize integration of all info into your lectures and into your school exams, because NCLEX addresses actual practice. This is not something to be gamed or short-cutted; it's thinking like a nurse, a skill you absolutely must master to be a nurse.

[Beautiful Mind RN]

Thank you all for the advice and input. :)

[squidbillies]

Stephan and C, thanks! Makes total sense.