Nursing Student Struggles

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Apr 2, 2014

If you could share some examples, perhaps we could explain better. There are a number of very experienced teachers, preceptors, and clinicians here who are pretty good at that, and we live to make sure students understand those "whys," and why, of those two good and plausible answers, there really is only one best one.

Test questions are deliberately designed to have plausible distractors (the wrong answers). Often one or more is factually correct, and grabs the attention of the less-accomplished learner; thence the arguments you describe.

"But (3) is true! (reference, reference, reference)." Yes, (3) may well be true, but it's not the correct answer because ... (fill in the blank with more critical thinking-supported rationale and explanation of why (3) is a plausible distractor), which provoke some people to hand-to-forehead "Aha!" responses and some to deeply confused looks.

Anyway, give us some examples and let us try to explain. Also, when you are in the market for NCLEX-style review books, be sure you pick one that has very clear descriptions of why the wrong answers are wrong, not just what the right ones are. People generally learn more from error and failure than from straight memorization.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Apr 2, 2014

Oh, and Ian? Change your posting name and your picture stat, because there WILL come a time (perhaps sooner than you think) that you will wish by all that's holy that you were anonymous like the rest of us.

IanTeig1982 · Apr 3, 2014

I don't have any specific examples. I will say when I've taken more "official" tests, HESI, etc. I do far better in regards to rationale. Let me say too, I really love my facility/instructors; but I'm not entirely sure where they are getting their questions. I'm not sure if they are formulating the questions themselves? It just doesn't seem the are obtaining them from a standardize repository.

I'm fairly well versed with testing formats and question styles, I guess I've noticed questions where the wording/stem doesn't match the possible options. I've worked full time as a Defect Prevention Specialist, where my job was to find the subtle defects/issues that most people miss; I think that's probably the root of my problem, I have a hard time turning off analyzing EVERYTHING.

I'll spare my full speech regarding Internet anonymity; I believe in being transparent, at the same time putting your true self out there. If you conduct yourself with professionalism and integrity, there is little to fear. There will always be people who judge you and certainly you put yourself at some risk. I choose to be bold. I do appreciate the advice. :)

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Apr 3, 2014

Ian, Ian, Ian --- lack of online anonymity has a whole different set of consequences for licensed professionals. Inadvertent HIPAA violations; patient/client stalking; charges of 'unprofessional' conduct; plaintiff's attorneys doing background investigations, etc. . For instance, 10 years from now, an attorney could pull up this post & use it to influence a jury - to question your competency. I hope you are as invulnerable as you believe yourself to be. Not saying it's fair, but I have been deposed multiple times as a clinical educator - so I know how the game is played.

I hear your frustration. My oldest is a software engineer with two graduate degrees... and a natural-born linear thinker. Higher math was no biggie, but I think there would have been a complete melt-down if Sprout had to deal with the ambiguity of nursing concepts rather than the clarity of logic. But the immutable fact is - nursing is about people & people are not logical or predictable.

It is unlikely that your school permits instructors to pull random questions out of thin air. At minimum, test items are subjected to item analysis to ensure that they are reliable and valid. Rather than expending your energy trying to show that the items are 'bad', it may be more beneficial to explore why other students are scoring higher. What are they doing differently? Is it something that you could do also?

IMre4med · Apr 6, 2014

Yes, it would be useful to have at least one example. And you may be surprised about the amount of consensus you'll see here. If not, then there will doubtless be some discussion of "why this" and "not that". And in that discussion you may learn something.

I am a bit of an iconoclast where I teach. I reason about things very differently than many other faculty members. Think about it... there are no two people who view the human condition the same. There are no two people who reason exactly the same way. But if you could see us (nurses) function together at the bedside, I assure you there would be a HUGE overlap in the care we ultimately give.

AND may I say, this is what makes nursing endlessly fascinating to me. Stick with it. The profession will ultimately be enriched by what you bring to the table.

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Apr 6, 2014

Sometimes when you're confronted with two (or more) correct answers, it helps to choose the answer that is the most global and is correct. Sometimes, they're just looking for an answer that has a very specific phrase or value. Nursing School exams are hard for a reason and that is they want you to find the NCLEX easy.

Another way to look at this is: "Which answer is the most 'nursey'?"

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Apr 6, 2014

Sometimes when you're confronted with two (or more) correct answers, it helps to choose the answer that is the most global and is correct. Sometimes, they're just looking for an answer that has a very specific phrase or value. Nursing School exams are hard for a reason and that is they want you to find the NCLEX easy.
Another way to look at this is: "Which answer is the most 'nursey'?"

^^^ this!! ^^^^ And 'Which answer is most important to the patient?"

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Apr 6, 2014

Also, OP- there are different ways of being 'intelligent'.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Apr 6, 2014

The thing about nursing is that it isn't concrete thinking. As a tech guy you are accustom to firm right or wrong answers. Nursing is a lot of grey. While there are always plenty of right answers it comes down to the "most right" answer. That is where the "ART" grey area of nursing begins. It's an adjustment.

I'm fairly well versed with testing formats and question styles, I guess I've noticed questions where the wording/stem doesn't match the possible options. I've worked full time as a Defect Prevention Specialist, where my job was to find the subtle defects/issues that most people miss; I think that's probably the root of my problem

I think you are right that this is where the issue for you lies.

While your attention to detail will make you an excellent nurse...you need to be more...forgiving...with NCLEX questions. Very few teachers just "make up" their own questions. I suggest getting NCLEX books and doing the questions..... look at the rationales.

As far as transparency on the internet...nursing isn't keen on this concept and frowns upon social media in general. Huston is right...

lack of online anonymity has a whole different set of consequences for licensed professionals. Inadvertent HIPAA violations; patient/client stalking; charges of 'unprofessional' conduct; plaintiff's attorneys doing background investigations, etc. . For instance, 10 years from now, an attorney could pull up this post & use it to influence a jury - to question your competency.

but it is your choice.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Apr 7, 2014

I'll spare my full speech regarding Internet anonymity; I believe in being transparent, at the same time putting your true self out there. If you conduct yourself with professionalism and integrity, there is little to fear. There will always be people who judge you and certainly you put yourself at some risk. I choose to be bold. I do appreciate the advice. :)

I'll second, or third the advice to change your user name and your avatar.

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/using-your-photo-816336.html

Malorymug · Apr 7, 2014

Hi Ian,

I, too, am transitioning from IT to nursing. I'm a J1 and I find my analytic and critical thinking skills a huge asset on the exams. I'm doing very well. Much better than I expected after they scared us all at orientation.

My suggestion to you is to keep taking test questions. Practice, practice and practice everywhere you go and every waking moment. NCLEX questions, HESI questions, EOC questions, and made up questions. Soon you will morph into a nursing school test taking machine.