finding it hard to pass

wannabemw · Feb 17, 2005

I'm having a tough time and its just 4 weeks into my first semester of Nursing school. I'm still not catching on to the way my professors structure the questions on our exams I'm quite certain its the NCLEX style critical thinking questions. Although I have improved on the NCLEX style questions I'm still finding it hard to pass.Some of the changes that I made to my study pattern is that I bought a NCLEX study guide which I review before my exam, joined a serious friend to study and extended my study hours. I am very discouraged but I have worked too hard to get this far and just don't feel like quitting or dropping from any class. Pls help I need some words of encouragement to move forward.

HAVE U THOUGHT ABOUT GETTING A WORD-ACTIVATED PROGRAM? I got "ViaVoice" by IBM and LOVE it! It enables me to copy my notes to computer, and then I print them out on note cards to carry and review at anytime. I have soft colors (white is offensive) and I punch holes in the corner and clip the cards together w/a ring holder (any office supply house). The program runs about $50. and comes w/headset. It is the least expensive of the market. Another voice-activated program = Dragon. I am not familar w/any others. Give it a try, it will save u boatloads of time and give u another way to review. BTW: I carry my note cards EVERYWHERE!

Good Luck! U can do this!

~MJ

twinbee25 · Feb 17, 2005

Beg to differ. We were trained to wash our hands upon entering the room and before gloving...

I really agree with you Fiona59, but it seems it is one of those "tricky" questions when you have to look at the "stem" (as they call it) to see how to best answer that question. It is a question that could very easily be missed on an exam! :uhoh3: :chuckle

...we are taught to always wash our hands upon entering the room, as this protects patients by interrupting the chain of germs...and the question is asking while during the care, which best protects the nurse. so I can see it both ways :chuckle

wannabemw · Feb 17, 2005

Don't get discouraged - many nursing students go through exactly what's happening to you. It's so hard to go from "regular" tests to the kinds that you get in nursing school. Many times, EVERY answer in a multiple choice question is going to be "right" and you just have to chose the one that's "most" right. That's really tough when you're still trying to figure out what your priorities are! It gets better over time, and with more clinical and testing experience.
Remember - you first need to assess the situation. Then, make sure the A-B-C's of breathing and circulation are covered. There's ALWAYS something you can do before calling the doctor, remember that!
Good luck!

Gompers:

u r so right! I teach CPR classes and this is the one thing that we emphasize when evaluating a victim. It makes sense that it also spills over into the workplace in the hospital. THANK YOU! I, myself have a difficult time recalling info. It helps me to relate what I am learning to something that I already know! (eg.. asthma types and my kids)I have been able to bring up my grades 3fold b/c of this trick! Getting through nursing school is hard enough as it is! So, to anyone that has testing difficulties, I recommend this trick. (I am 39y also, a non-trad student).

I LOVE THIS THREAD! Keep going everyone!

Dreamin' nursing dreams....

~MJ

mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP · Feb 17, 2005

I'm having a tough time and its just 4 weeks into my first semester of Nursing school. I'm still not catching on to the way my professors structure the questions on our exams I'm quite certain its the NCLEX style critical thinking questions. Although I have improved on the NCLEX style questions I'm still finding it hard to pass.Some of the changes that I made to my study pattern is that I bought a NCLEX study guide which I review before my exam, joined a serious friend to study and extended my study hours. I am very discouraged but I have worked too hard to get this far and just don't feel like quitting or dropping from any class. Pls help I need some words of encouragement to move forward.

Do you have anyway to review your tests after you take them? We do all of ours on the computer but can access the "practice test" for 4 or 5 days after we take the test. I take in a sheet a paper and I analyze whey I missed the question, ie did I leave out a word that made me get the question wrong...did I add a word to the question that made me get it wrong or did I just simply not know the answer. This really helps me figure out how to read these questions.

When you read the question....go with your 1st instinct and never go back and change that answer. Also, don't read into the question. That is probably the hardest thing to do. Your mind starts filling in the blanks and you start creating all kinds of possibles when in fact....there is only 1 possible with the way the question is worded.

I also do all the practice NCLEX for the chapter(s) we have tests on. I read all the correct and incorrect info and I take them several times over the course of a few days...each time using some type of rational (other than process of elimination) to come up with correct answer. It all starts to come together when you can critically think out an answer.

These tests are REALLY hard at the beginning but don't give up. They get easier the more you take and once you figure out how the teacher likes to test.

crb613, BSN, RN · Feb 18, 2005

I'm having a tough time and its just 4 weeks into my first semester of Nursing school. I'm still not catching on to the way my professors structure the questions on our exams I'm quite certain its the NCLEX style critical thinking questions. Although I have improved on the NCLEX style questions I'm still finding it hard to pass.Some of the changes that I made to my study pattern is that I bought a NCLEX study guide which I review before my exam, joined a serious friend to study and extended my study hours. I am very discouraged but I have worked too hard to get this far and just don't feel like quitting or dropping from any class. Pls help I need some words of encouragement to move forward.

I was taught to answer questions as if we were in the perfect world, not what you think you might really do in a working situation. If your book has questions at the end of the chapter do these they really helped me. Listen in class & notice what your instructor "focuses" on you can bet these things will be on the test. If your book has a website use it to study with & do alot of practice questions from NCLEX books. The questions will help you learn how to choose the right answer & learn what they are asking. One thing I do that has helped me is when I take a test, I use my scantron to cover up every answer. I read each question & then think what do I know about this? I then decide what I would do & look for that answer. This keeps me focused & keeps me from getting confused. I hope this helps & Good Luck

Maria22 · Feb 18, 2005

Thanks alot every body for posting your thoughts.If only I could express how much this thread has helped me well.....I guess I can my grades have improved drastically from a "D" to a 'B". Pls continue adding to this thread. Maria.