HOT TIPS: a NuRsInG school survivor's guide for dummies ;-)

labcat01, BSN, RN · Sep 23, 2007

12. Don't get your feelings hurt if your friends/family/Significant others do NOT want to hear about your day.

EmmaG, RN · Sep 23, 2007

12. Don't get your feelings hurt if your friends/family/Significant others do NOT want to hear about your day.

Especially at mealtimes :lol2:

ABerryGirl, CNA · Sep 23, 2007

#13) Read your med/surg book from front to back. Even if they tell you the test is only on part of the chapter.... read all of it! They always seem to slip a question in that's from something you didn't read because you thought you didn't have to. Plus, you may not need the knowledge for the test, but you'll be glad you read everything when you're the one responsible for your patient & you don't have an instructor to run to.

HM2VikingRN, RN · Sep 23, 2007

14: If you don't know say so

corollary: If you don't know ask

jnrsmommy · Sep 23, 2007

#13) Read your med/surg book from front to back. Even if they tell you the test is only on part of the chapter.... read all of it! They always seem to slip a question in that's from something you didn't read because you thought you didn't have to. Plus, you may not need the knowledge for the test, but you'll be glad you read everything when you're the one responsible for your patient & you don't have an instructor to run to.

And the same goes for Pharm... can't tell you how many times that dang small obscure fact about a drug that's hardly used made it's way into my tests:angryfire:angryfire

leslie :-D · Sep 24, 2007

15. BUY A TOP-RATED NCLEX BOOK NOW.

look for ones sorted out by topic, with rationales for the answers.

if you are attending a reputable nsg school, your instructors will try and format questions similarly to nclex questions.

they won't ask you, "what is this disease" but rather, "what is the priority thing you need to watch with this particular disease".

they won't ask you "what does this medicine treat" but rather, "what lab values need monitoring when combining these 2 meds".

be especially observant of key words in the questions, i.e., age, risk factors, coping mechanisms.

- identify the question's personal focus, i.e., ill child, concerned parent, caregiver.

- read at an even pace. avoid spending too much time on one question.

- once you answer a question, move on.

- while reading the stem of the question, determine if the background information is important, or even relevant. many extraneous words are thrown in to throw off the reader.

my biggest hurdle in nsg school, was trying to outsmart these nsg tests.

they were the biggest source of conflict in our class...

leslie

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Sep 24, 2007

#15 Don't flip out in class after a test complaining that one or all of the following:

"you didn't mention that in the test review. I didn't think I needed to study it"

"I didn't study it because you didn't mention it in lecture"

"I studied it for hours and you didn't even put one question on the test about it"

You are responsible for EVERYTHING in the chapter, regardless of it being mentioned in lecture or not. They cannot lecture each and every word in the chapters. Its YOUR responsibility to read and study, not their responsibility to tell you each and every question on the test. Oh and just because it wasn't a test question doesn't mean you don't need to know it. You ARE going into the nursing field and everything you've read, heard and been lectured on IS important, whether it was on your test or not.

#16 Don't base your opinion of a teacher's ability to teach on what you got on a test. Don't "warn" new students about that teacher by saying she gives trick questions, doesn't test on what she lectures etc and that she's a poor excuse for a teacher.(countless times I've heard people squalking about a teacher how they are idiots who shouldn't be teaching because "the whole class failed" (read as that student and her friends didn't do well on the test.) However those of us who attended class, did read the assigned chapters and paid attention during lecture all do well..humm..maybe its YOU and not the teacher.

MIA-RN · Sep 24, 2007

* Do take advantage of any tutors your school provides. Especially if they are former students of the program. They will have hints and tips for you.

* Do remember on clinical days when you are wearing your white pants, to wear skin-colored underwear.

* NEVER forget to sign off with your co-assigned nurse on clinical days.

TigerGalLE, BSN, RN · Sep 24, 2007

17. Start studying a few days before the test. DO NOT stay up all night studying. You'll do much better on the test with a good night of sleep.

This is something I swear by. It really helps.

Same goes for clinical. Don't stay up late the night before clinical.

Fiesta Red · Sep 24, 2007

Don't talk about how they do it "on my unit" where you are an aide, a unit secretary, a tech. No one cares. I'm not paying good money to hear you run your mouth -- I'm in class to get an education.

deeDawntee, RN · Sep 24, 2007

18: Absolutely, use the tutor(s) the school provides and any study group from that tutor, because he/she will have great tips on what to expect on exams etc. Often, they are top students from the previous year and are the best resource I can think of. That is the one thing I wish I had made time for when I was in nursing school, it would have made the test taking much easier.

Don't go into exams or clinicals being intimidated or shy. Do something that will help bring forth your inner strength. Being assertive helps with recall as well.

Little Panda RN, ASN, RN · Sep 24, 2007

#19 Please don't act like you know something about everything, even if you think you do. When someone shares an intimate detail about thier life, please please please dont try to have a bigger and better story about the same thing. Know one appreciates a know-it-all and there is one in every class.