First nursing test

[amymina]

I am going to the first nursing test for my fundamental class on Thursday and am a nervous wreck already. I have been told that the questions will be similar to that of the Nclex. I have been thinking about purchasing a Nclex review book and software where I can pick out the questions I want to be reviewed on and practice taking the questions before the test. Do any other current students or graduates have advice on this? If there is anyone that has attended Erie Community College, your advice about spending my time with the software or just focusing on the book and taking it from there. Thanks!

[ajitamamasita]

Read, read, read, and as you go refer to your notes. I am a Level II nursing student and that is what seems to work for me. Also, any study guides that go with your textbooks are very helpful, along with any cd's that came with your textbooks. The cd's usually have nclex style questions. Lastly, you may find it helpful to purchase a nclex review book broken down by systems, or a Q and A book. I use Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN Examination. I also find that studying in small increments, several times a day works very well. Good luck :-) (I know what it's like!)

[TessaMae]

I am in my last year of school. I did not read everything they assigned, just the info that I needed. I used a book by FA Davis called Fundamentals Success, it also has a CD with many nclex questions. I think most students would suggest a nclex book. Nursing school is different from your prereq's, memorizing facts from the book will onky get you so far. If you feel you have a good understanding of the material, I would go to barnes and noble and grab this book or one like it, do questions and read the answer rationales every day until the exam. Also I suggest reading the first chapter on test taking strategies, it is VERY useful. I did this and easily got an A on my first exam. Good Luck!

[amymina]

Wow - thank you for the quick responses. I did use the CD as well as the questions at the end of the chapters that we focused on in the book and found that I was getting better, but still not where I wanted to be, and there were only so many questions, that is why I was thinking of getting a Nclex review book. I'll probably head to the store after school tomorrow and pick it up so that I have a few days to work on it. I also already have a book similar to the fundamental success book called Test success: taking techniques for beginning nursing students and did a few questions on that, there just wasn't much to pick from on the nursing process, communication and caring. Thanks again both of you and I am going to read some of the test tips book again to remind myself and hopefully get that tomorrow. I hope it helps the critical thinking skills that I need for the test.