Does being able to answer NCLEX style questions reflect success as a future nurse?

klone, MSN, RN · Apr 19, 2014

It doesn't really reflect how well you'll function as a nurse, but it reflects your ability to pass the NCLEX, which is necessary to become one.

roser13, ASN, RN · Apr 19, 2014

It doesn't really reflect how well you'll function as a nurse, but it reflects your ability to pass the NCLEX, which is necessary to become one.

Agree. I'm torn as to whether the NCLEX type questions actually do teach critical thinking skills. We are all human and make mistakes, including those who write the exam questions. One of my nursing instructors was nearly illiterate if you judged by her writing skills. Her exam questions and "correct" answers bordered on ludicrous and were always contested by students after the exam.

So there's the fact that the questions may or may not be properly written. Even when they are well-written, I believe that the authors try too hard to "trick" you, as opposed to truly measuring your critical thinking skills. I also believe the NCLEX exam would do well to incorporate more questions testing pure knowledge: pharmacology, anatomy/physiology, etc. When one of my peers had 20 out of 75 questions related to pharmacology, and I had 1 or 2, there doesn't appear to be any consistency in the testing process.

At your stage of nursing school, I think you might be a little too hard on yourself. We all had to be taught how to answer these questions and you will no doubt get the hang of it.

anon456, BSN, RN · Apr 19, 2014

It teaches to be mindful of safety (always pick the safe answer), and to prioritize several things that are necessary to do, but which one needs to be done first, or which one is the most important. Other than that, real life is the best teacher.

isonacloud · Apr 19, 2014

Thanks for the encouragement! It's just there are a lot of people in my cohort and in my nursing school who are instinctively getting the right answers and getting A's on the NCLEX style questions and tests... I know I'm being hard on myself so I wanted to get a feel from more experienced nurses who can see the big picture on whether doing well on these questions really reflects success.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Apr 19, 2014

Thanks for the encouragement! It's just there are a lot of people in my cohort and in my nursing school who are instinctively getting the right answers and getting A's on the NCLEX style questions and tests... I know I'm being hard on myself so I wanted to get a feel from more experienced nurses who can see the big picture on whether doing well on these questions really reflects success.

Because it isn't intuitive doesn't mean it can't be learned. The idea of a "born critical thinker" being superior to someone who has studied the steps and has learned to be one isn't sound. Nursing school teaches you to think like a nurse, regardless of how easily you might come to it. Or not :)

While in school, I remember struggling somewhat with choosing the "most correct" out of two correct answers. I would sit there while the instructor (or some blow-hard student, lol) would go into detail about why B was a better answer than C, and I would get it. But it took time to get to decide that B was the right answer BEFORE being told. I learned, you can too.

And I'd like to think I turned out ok

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Apr 19, 2014

Moved thread to NCLEX Discussion Forum

anon456, BSN, RN · Apr 20, 2014

Thanks for the encouragement! It's just there are a lot of people in my cohort and in my nursing school who are instinctively getting the right answers and getting A's on the NCLEX style questions and tests... I know I'm being hard on myself so I wanted to get a feel from more experienced nurses who can see the big picture on whether doing well on these questions really reflects success.

I would suggest that as you study a unit in class, open up 2-3 NCLEX books on that same topic and practice answering the questions.

I can't emphasize enough how important a study group is. When you can't figure out why that is the right answer (of the 2-3 answers that are right-- but one is more right than the others) they can help you.

Horsebytes · Apr 20, 2014

Welcome to nursing school!

Where pretty much all the tests are multiple choice and all the answer choices are correct - but you got it wrong!

SENSUALBLISSINFL, BSN, RN · Apr 26, 2014

I think you should first realize that nursing is not like no other education. One professor taught the class that in nursing two plus two is not always four, you can have pain in one part of the body that means something else, etc....

Now this is your first semester, and I am sure as you go along you will learn to think critically. Someone commented here to always think of safety first, and I agree with that. During the NCLEX think of the one thing you could do that will make the most difference before you leave your shift, eliminate off the bat the answers you know are false to the question it is asking or incorrect, prioritize, these tips along with many others will allow you to pick the BEST choice, some answers are correct but may not be the best choice.

The fact that you are doing well in your skills is awesome, relish on that. Do not compare yourself to others in your cohort, you may be weak in Fundamentals, but you may be great in Med-Surge or Psyche, please concentrate on yourself and do your best. Get a study group of no more than three or four, make a bond and help each other. You learn at the same time that you teach others.

Wishing you much success.