Gateway LPN Fast Track

Marlene39 · Aug 17, 2011

there will be a test on those CNA skills? I thought she just want us to go over it to refresh our memory about those skills....
are you in PM class?

Yes, KP does test you on CNA skills, but not all of them and they are spread throughout all the tests she gives. So, if it's been awhile since you went to CNA school, you might brush up. There is no way to know what to study because she has 5 point tests on 12 hours or more of lecture. She also picks the most obscure things to pick out of the CNA skills to test on, so it's almost impossible to know them all. Just do your best and don't get wrapped up in killing yourself studying the first month and then feeling like a failure because the most you got on a test is a 2.25 out ot 5. This was a real problem for my cohort last year. Everyone put too much emphasis on that first month and those ridiculous 5 point tests. Look back at my previous post for info on what to expect and what to study. I won't give you specifics because you really do need to study everything for your personal growth, but I do give you areas to focus on.

I did the PM class in the Fall of 2010. It was truly awesome and you will love it! Just get past the first month and you will see what I mean. Get enough rest, don't stress and try to enjoy what you're learning. Oh, and remember that only the test scores count towards your grade (nothing from group projects or skills that you perform in lab). Lab is kind of a pass or fail and not one of the students last year failed because of lab skills. You will get more practical experience once you start your clinicals.

You do have to pass your math test with 100% to pass, but they will give you lots of chances. Just remember this formula:

Physician's order, divided by what you have on hand, multiplied by the vehicle (1 tablet, 5 ml, etc). Here is the equation:

order X Vehicle (tablets, mLs, etc) = how much to give

have

I'm always available by PM if you need any help. I am starting block 3 next week so I will probably be super busy after that. I want everyone to succeed and become the best nurses they can be so don't hesitate to ask for help! :yeah:

pinaytoh · Aug 18, 2011

thank so much, and good luck in Block 3...

miteacher, ADN, MSN · Aug 18, 2011

there will be a test on those CNA skills? I thought she just want us to go over it to refresh our memory about those skills....
are you in PM class?

I am in the PM class. I just remember reading in the email to brush up on the skills. Some of the skills have changed since I took the course last summer, and I am a teacher so I don't use the skills ever. Also, they added a new skill and took out the handwashing skill. I've been studying, but it's hard to practice at home. When I took the course, they did not have the isolation gown as a skill, and handwashing was a skill that we had to do and we did not use santizier.

miteacher, ADN, MSN · Aug 18, 2011

So during the first month, is it basically the 5pt tests that we're going to be doing based on CNA skills? By obscure, what do you mean, do you remember an example of something obscure?

Marlene39 · Aug 19, 2011

So during the first month, is it basically the 5pt tests that we're going to be doing based on CNA skills? By obscure, what do you mean, do you remember an example of something obscure?

By obscure I mean that she didn't take the easy skills or the part of the skill that is obvious, she took the skills that were not often used and the part of the skill that you wouldn't have memorized. I can't give you examples of test questions since that would be unethical.

The 5 point tests are not all about CNA skills at all. They cover a lot of information from the blood flow through the heart to medication administration to directionality to heart sounds to ADPIE and more. I just remember thinking that she never tested us on what we thought we were going to be tested on. I was very lucky at one point to have done some extra study on something we hadn't talked about in a couple weeks and it just happened to be on the test. She may give you a list of things to study for the test, but don't rely solely on that list. Anything you've learned so far is fair game. Before each test you should definitely go over everything you've learned to that point. I tend to data dump as soon as a test is over and just retain the most important facts. Didn't work with that particular teacher because she tested on the more obscure facts and often from different time frames. Very frustrating!

With that said I will reiterate that you cannot put too much emphasis on the tests in the first month or you will feel very small and stupid. I got one 5 the entire month. The rest of the time I got between 2.25 and 3.75. It was truly disappointing for a normally straight A student. It took me until semester 2 to really feel like I was back on my game, mostly because my confidence was gone after that first miserable month. I'm sure I wasn't alone.

Who knows, maybe you will have a totally different experience. This is just what I experienced during my first month of NS. No matter what it will be very memorable and will make you a better nurse. Even though this a very tough on me I feel that it helped prepare me for everything that has come since.

Good luck!:)

miteacher, ADN, MSN · Aug 19, 2011

It sounds like the tests/quizzes vary from instructor to instructor. I am in the pm class, and our first quiz is worth 15 or 20 points, and is in the 3rd week of classes. Maybe each instructor has their own format for tests/quizzes and the material.

Which NCLEX books did you find helpful?

Marlene39 · Aug 21, 2011

It sounds like the tests/quizzes vary from instructor to instructor. I am in the pm class, and our first quiz is worth 15 or 20 points, and is in the 3rd week of classes. Maybe each instructor has their own format for tests/quizzes and the material.
Which NCLEX books did you find helpful?

I liked the Lippincott, Saunders and Prentice Hall books. I also got a Mosby's app for my iPhone. It's good to find as many NCLEX questions as you can and practice a lot. There are lots of free ones on the internet too. There were times I didn't even read the chapter and only practiced NCLEX questions and I got about the same grade. I would strongly suggest not just relying on understanding the chapter. ALWAYS do NCLEX questions as part of your study routine. They are worded so differently and you need to get used to them.

Have fun! I'm glad you didn't get the same instructor I got. Those 5 point tests were for the birds!! Maybe she is teaching the day program this semester. :rolleyes:

miteacher, ADN, MSN · Aug 22, 2011

Thanks for the info! That is very helpful! I think we will have a different instructor for the 2nd half of the semester, so they must switch back and forth. I have the Saunders & the book sold by evolve/hesi. I have a question for you on how to find specific questions for the topic you are studying. For example, if we are doing the chapter on vital signs, how would you find NCLEX questions related to that particular topic? I did register online for the evolve website, and I found the 10-12 questions for each chapter that you can do to practice.

I noticed that the chatpers are quite long, and I need to develop some strategies so I know what material is essential, and what specific areas to focus on. I have been outlining each chapter and doing the practice NCLEX questions for each chapter in the book & on the website for evolve.

So, I am just wondering how I can find specific NCLEX questions on the CD's for the particular topics we're studying. I know in the book, I can use the index to help me find the info, but I like using the disc because I can practice at work.

I just don't know what to expect with our tests/quizzes because there is so much material covered before we take our first quiz. I'm not sure if it will be mainly based on skills that we covered, drug calculations, or from the foundations or a combination of all 3. I think I will be better once I see the format of the first quiz, and I will have a better idea of how to study.

So anyway, do you know how to search the questions on the CD's to find the particular topic you're studying?

Marlene39 · Aug 22, 2011

So anyway, do you know how to search the questions on the CD's to find the particular topic you're studying?

I don't think you can search the CD's for specific topics like vital signs. I'm not sure I've ever even seen an NCLEX question on vitals, but there might be one. Mostly it's by subject and they can be broad.

Wow, outlining the chapters already. Um... well, you might really focus on anything that is in a box in the chapter. Seems that if it's in a box it's a little bit more important. It's also good to know your terms. It really depends on the teacher where she gets her questions. Since my first month was obviously WAY different than your's I can't tell you what the format will be. Ask the teacher if she does purely NCLEX or if it's something else. If it's NCLEX, focus a lot on those. You can always do an internet seach for more questions. The first test will tell you a lot about what to expect. I'm sure you will do great!!

miteacher, ADN, MSN · Aug 29, 2011

I remember that someone else on one of the threads for the FTPN program said they created their own sheet for the head to toe assessment that was easier to follow. We just did the first practice head to toe assessment session, and I was wondering if anyone else made up a sheet that was easier to follow, maybe something that grouped the items together differently.

Does anyone have any tips for taking the quizzes? I really don't know what to expect.

Editorial Team / Admin · Aug 29, 2011

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PhxButterfly · Aug 29, 2011

Hi, Is there a classified section where used books are sold/bought? I searched last night and couldn't find one.

Thanks!!

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This is a gentle reminder of the Terms of Service, specifically in the Basic Terms of Service:
"Remember what you agreed to upon sign up: You will not use this forum to post free advertising or solicitations . . ."
Several posts have been edited to comply with the Terms of Service.
Thank you for your understanding.
---- dianah