First Semester 5 weeks left! Need advice!

[Stanley89]

Hello all right now I am in a state of confusion and panic all at once with my stress level at an all time high. I seem to be having difficulty studying for the test the teachers give out and I am afraid I might fail the class by the most minute margin and this entire semester will be for nothing.

I currently have a 77 average and I need a 74.5 to pass. However I feel like it could be so much higher due to me making such simple mistakes. The questions they ask are weird and I feel like I could study twice as much as I am now and still not get the results I am looking for.

Honestly at times I feel like some of the questions are not even in the book or notes the teacher has given the class. It is just something I should be able to figure out and what not.

Currently I study 2-3 hours on the weekdays and I go to Kentucky on the weekend with my buddy I made and study for 8+ hours a day while he is on call as a surgical tech. The last test I answered all the questions on the chapters in a practice NClex, the questions online from the book, the questions from the books study guide, and the questions in the back of the book. Is there any way of preparing for these test, or is it all about just not making stupid mistakes when it comes time to take the test?

[Kim O'Therapy, BSN, RN]

I graduate in May 2009, so I know what you are going through. The answer to your question is both. Nursing tests are application versus memorization questions. What helped me was buying an NCLEX study guide and studying the questions, answers, and rationalizations. I hope this helps and good luck!

[waitingforthedream]

I have 5 weeks left in my last semester, and it was tough! I actually did 100 NCLEX questions a day one week before each test. Of course I studied the content also. Do you review your old A&P to bone up on how and why the body does what it does? Concentrate on the A&P for your specific chapter (GI, Heart, Lungs Etc.) It really helps to work out the question if you know how and why the disease process if occuring. Memorizing does not help on alot of the questions, especially towards the end of the program in the upper level classes. It is putting all of the information together and choosing the right answer, or even the best answer. Try NCLEX style questions, and read the rationales, this will help you understand the type of questions they will throw at you. Good luck!!!!

[ann945n, RN]

Knowing the right answer on a test doesnt mean always knowing the content but how to read a test question and figure out based on the type of languaged used what answer they are looking for. Never second guess yourself unless you have read the question or answers wrong. I would suggest investing in a test taking class or book and seek help from your instructors. Invest some time to sit down with your teacher and review your test focusing on the answers you got wrong and why. They can give you some PRICELESS insight into how they write a test question and how to pick the right answer next time. It seems like you are stuying enough so keep that up! Good luck

[jeepgrl944]

Your feelings are NORMAL and EXPECTED for nursing school. I had a similar experience my 2nd semester. I'd been a straight A student my whole life, then found myself with other former straight A students nearly failing. The only two things I think I have to offer you are these:

1) I think most every nursing school chooses a specific book to use in the med-surg courses. Each book has its own test bank, and the teachers use these for the test. That's how mine is. So although studying other sources may help you get a better understanding of the material, I was afraid to study anything outside my text because the test bank could ask a question that came from one weird sentence that i may not have read. If your school's instructors pull test questions from a test bank that corresponds to your text, i would recommend sticking to your text. if you have extra time and want to read other sources to get a better understanding of the material in general, go ahead.

2) MANY people in my class nearly failed (and many did.. we only have 11 originals left of 40). They had given up mid-semester already, and had already come to terms with the fact that they failed. then, when final grades were posted, they had PASSED! Yes, it's the most stressful thing ever, but don't give up until that final grade is posted!