All I do is study and it doesn't get me anywhere!

nyema11 RN · Apr 10, 2008

Ahh, 3 weeks to go and I have failed another test! All I do is study, take notes, and read the chapters for the test. Am I not studying enoug? Am I doing it wrong. I know the material, but as soon as I get to the test I don't if I just don't understand the question or get to nervous to understand the question. I know I am a good nurse, I am great in clinical and understand during lecture but the tests are killing me! Can anyone give me study tips that have worked for them that have experienced the same kind of frustation that I am currently. It would be greatly appreciated!!!

Do you use nclex books to study from. We were told to do atleast 200-300 practice questions for each test we take. It helps me I have saunders and lipp. also I have nclex 3500 which is really good.

manofcare · Apr 10, 2008

:up:The questions you are answering are not just information based questions. You can know the material, but not get the question correct because you do not think critically. Do you have a department person that is a retention specialist? They go over tests and help you understand what the problem is with the way you think or answer the questions. If so, go Monday and talk with them. Remember most nursing questions have four responses to a question. Most questions have two distractors. A fancy word for nonsense responses. Then there are two correct answers, with one more correct than the other. This is what I do. Read the question. Ask myself, "What is the question asking?" Formulate a response without looking at the answers. Look at the answers. If the response is not there or I don't have a clue, I mark out the distractors. You should be down to two responses. Now re-read the question. Which response most accurately answers the question? Works for me, and I'll graduate in May.

casi, ASN, RN · Apr 11, 2008

See if you can meet with an instructor and ASK what the best way is to study. I personally like going through review questions either in the text book or nclex books.

4thGenNurse · Apr 11, 2008

I have asked my teachers several times how to study. I have used all their techniques and advice. I always take my time and use almost the whole hour. I study with a study group, use flash cards, and read all the material that is presented in our lectures. You can't skip any material, our teachers will tell us to definitely know this certain material because it will be on the test, but it is never there. I feel so hopeless because I know I am a good nurse and I am smart, but my tests reflect something different. My lead instructor tells me I don't comprehend the information given to me in the question, and I don't know how to fix that. I read the question to myself, eliminate the ones that are not correct and I always end up picking the wrong answer out of the last two. We are not told to use NCLEX books because we should only read the material listed on the syllabus. I feel like anything I do isn't doing me any good.

Kevin RN08 · Apr 11, 2008

I recently experienced much of what you describe, I'm in the third semester of ADN with a 3.5 GPA. I would study my butt off, normally 40+ hours per week outside of class, doing NCLEX questions, reading, rereading, making notes (nearly rewriting the book!). After my third blown test, I took a long walk in the woods, during which I discovered that I was WAY stressed out (I was too busy to realize it before then). Because of huge investment I've made to pursue this degree / career, I felt the need to work at it full time just like I did in my first career. At any rate, my instructor suggested hypnosis. I thought it was hocus-pocus but I was desperate, and if nothing else it would show I was looking for a solution.

I met with the therapist for my "free" consultation and I was hooked, I had not felt that good for months ... maybe longer. In the four suceeding weeks we met once a week, she provided me with a recording of the session to listen to every day (or night). The first test, 2 weeks into the treatment, improved by 20 points (60:80) over the last, we just had another and I got an 86. That's a 43% increase and I cut my study time down to 12-16 hours alone and 2-4 with a buddy. My wife said the other day "Welcome back ...", I am smiling and enjoying school again and actually am looking forward to the tests and especially the final ... just to prove I know that material.

Reality is that I may have to repeat this semester due to the hole I dug for myself. Like most, we need a 76% avg to move forward at my current pace it's going to be close, but with the turn around I am confident I can at least be close to the requirement (75.5% avg) ... which I see as success after being at 62% at mid-term.

MB37 · Apr 11, 2008

They tell you not to use NCLEX books? How exactly do they expect you to pass the NCLEX? Do they ask that style of question (there are tons of examples on this website)? That's how we are told to study for every single exam, from day one of nursing school. I'd get one, at least, and give it a try before your next test. What do your classmates do? Are they passing? You're studying wrong, or else you would be performing better, but everyone kind of has to find their own way - mine wouldn't work for everyone. I don't know anyone who still makes flashcards who's getting better than Cs, but maybe that works for some people. I think it's too time consuming, and my time can be better spent practicing questions.

casi, ASN, RN · Apr 11, 2008

Using the NCLEX books to study helps you get into the nursing thought process.

Freedom42 · Apr 11, 2008

Think about how you take the test. You know you've put in the time and studied the material, so you know your fear is self-defeating.

Quell that fear. Before a major exam, one of my professors stands in front of the class and asks everyone to close their eyes, take a few deep breaths, and relax. With your eyes closed, imagine yourself moving carefully and confidently through the exam, easily choosing the correct answers. Then picture your instructor handing back your graded test. You've got an A! Maybe that sounds hokey, but my professor swears there's research out there that supports this technique for improving test performance. Whatever. It does help you focus and settle down.

Once you start the test, mark the exam itself with a pencil. As a previous poster noted, a multiple choice test typically includes four options with two answers that are wrong or distractors. Draw a line through them. Get rid of those distractions and focus on the remaining choices. Still can't sort it out? Circle the question and come back to it when you go through the test the second, third, or fourth time. Sometimes another test question or answer option will jog your memory, and you'll recognize the correct answer.

Don't rush. I was so annoyed with myself when I wasted points by racing through my first exams. I focused on the top student in the class and followed her pace. She was usually one of the last people to leave. If she hadn't left the room by the time I'd been through the test twice, I kept going and proofreading the test until she was done. It made me a much more deliberate test taker. I don't look to her for time cues any more. I've slowed way down out of habit.

Finally, get yourself in a good study group! If you can explain a difficult concept to someone else, you can easily answer a simple question about it on a multiple choice test. Your classmates will learn from you, and you'll learn from them. A team approach is a great way to deal with jitters. Yes, I know not everyone likes study groups, but if you can find two or three friends who are similarly motivated and who pull their weight, I think they work wonders.

Good luck.

chevyv, BSN, RN · Apr 11, 2008

I agree to take your time. Also, I'm 3rd semester and have gotten some really good advice. Really pay attention to what the question is asking. Take the time to pick out the main points of the question and you'll see that the rest is just fluff. This also normally eliminates 2 of the questions. Now your down to 2 left and its a matter of picking the right one. My grades improved dramatically and cut my study time in half or better.

Also, this may seem weird, but if your as desperate as I was you'll give it a whirl, before the exam take a deep breath, close your eyes and feel yourself relaxing. Tell yourself this is just a stepping stone and you will succeed calmly and completely. Visualize it if you can. I believe nursing is a calling. Those that get into it for any other reason will not last. This is your calling, own it, and believe it and you will succeed. Good luck :wink2:

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Apr 12, 2008

I don't know if you're studying "wrong"...per se....but perhaps you are just thinking/retaining too MUCH information to make a reasonable study answer....

When it comes to a "priority" question....always look to see if there is an answer about safety or an answer about airway....usually helps.

also, if refering to labs.....look for which lab value is most serious or abnormal.....

if you have two answers that are opposites...usually the answer is one of those two....

Would you be able to remember a question and the two answers you were torn between? Post it up, and let's see......

Also, you may have some S/s of test anxiety.....it's normal....it happens to many people.......but you must find a way to deal with it.....try deep breathing, taking your time, realizing that it doesn't matter when you finish as long as you finish in time, and go with your "gut"...(still working on that one...) GL to you!

june2009 · Apr 12, 2008

I recommend getting the Kapplan NCLEX study guide. It's helpful in telling you how to answer nursing questions, based on the fact that nursing test questions are not just knowledge based. There aren't a lot of nclex questions but the test-taking tecniques are great. Hope this helps!