Current students, what's so hard?

Nurse-o-Matic · Jun 1, 2004

Biggest challenge was trying to read all the assigned info & then trying to figure out how to answer the multiple choice questions (you get to pick from 4 correct answers and must choose the "best" right answer.)

I learned to figure out what the most important points were and to read about those things. I also learned time management!! :)

4myfam · Jun 1, 2004

Thank you, so do you think it would safe to start reading from one of those NCLEX books for question and answer formats.

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Jun 1, 2004

If it is the hardest, it's because of the adjustment from the non-nursing world to the nursing world. It really is a different bunch of grapes.

studentnurse74, LPN, LVN · Jun 1, 2004

Biggest challenge was trying to read all the assigned info & then trying to figure out how to answer the multiple choice questions (you get to pick from 4 correct answers and must choose the "best" right answer.)
I learned to figure out what the most important points were and to read about those things. I also learned time management!! :)

How do you select the correct right answer? Do they teach you how to select?

shyne · Jun 1, 2004

So far, the 1st semester was the hardest for me because learning everything was different than what I was used to. They are some NCLEX exam practice books that can teach you how to answer the question. Once you get started with school and learn the nursing process, it will make a little bit more sense to you.

RNKITTY04 · Jun 1, 2004

I thought the 1st and 4th semester were the hardest. As far as answering correctly with 4 right answers, yes they will teach you how to "critically think" you will be very familar with that term very very soon. hehehhehe :rotfl:

Good luck to you, hope you come out sane on the other side I am seriously doubting mine right now. 7 more weeks to go!!! God... please help me not kill my classmates.

LeesieBug · Jun 2, 2004

Hmmmm.... what was so hard.....

The INCREDIBLE amount of disorganization and lack of communication we had going on first semester.

The fact that depending on which book you read or which instructor you talk to, you get a different version of the "correct" way to do something.

Preparing for clinical the night before.....filling out med sheets on clients taking 20 meds; looking up and understanding every deatail about their illnesses, both past and present; reading up on and preparing for any proceedures you may be either expected to perform or observe ...then coming in the next morning and it never fails...the instructor asks you a question you didn't look up! :rotfl: (and all this when you can hardly understand 5 words of the chart because you don't know what the hell you are doing yet )

Getting used to taking practical exams, and adjusting to the added stress of the "do it 100% right or fail" situation.

other than that, it was GREAT! :chuckle

Oh, and what did I learn...Too much to even put into words!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You start to undergo an amazing transformation....before you know it..You've crossed over and stop to think if you need a hat in the toilet before you pee!!!

Altra, BSN, RN · Jun 2, 2004

Oh, and what did I learn...Too much to even put into words!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You start to undergo an amazing transformation....before you know it..You've crossed over and stop to think if you need a hat in the toilet before you pee!!!

And I thought I was the only one .... :rotfl:

And your family/friends/S.O. will learn not to say "I don't feel so well" around you, because you'll automatically reply, "Any nausea/vomiting/diarrhea?"

In short, you start to think like a nurse.

Good luck to all. :)

RNMedicFL · Jun 2, 2004

I graduated May 5th. I took the NCLEX and passed with 75 questions May 22nd. One way I prepared for the NCLEX was by reading Kaplan's NCLEX Review book. It's 1/2 the size of other review/nursing books because it doesn't cover nursing content. Instead, it covers how to answer NCLEX-style questions. In other words, how to choose the best answer when 2 or more look correct. I have since informed my professors that I wish I had read that book during my first semester of nursing school. It helps so much! I would say "Get that book now!" and read it. Good luck!

Nurse-o-Matic · Jun 2, 2004

RNMedic,

Thanks for the tip on the Kaplan book. I will certainly be getting one of these before I take the dreaded NCLEX.

PCGrad06 · Jun 2, 2004

:balloons: Congrats:balloons:

I graduated May 5th. I took the NCLEX and passed with 75 questions May 22nd. One way I prepared for the NCLEX was by reading Kaplan's NCLEX Review book. It's 1/2 the size of other review/nursing books because it doesn't cover nursing content. Instead, it covers how to answer NCLEX-style questions. In other words, how to choose the best answer when 2 or more look correct. I have since informed my professors that I wish I had read that book during my first semester of nursing school. It helps so much! I would say "Get that book now!" and read it. Good luck!