please nurses tell me how you did it :(

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Jul 12, 2011

Are you cheating on your tests to pass? That is a BIG problem, when/if you get caught you'll likely be dismissed from the program with no chance of appeal or readmission.

Do you have a tutoring center at your school? Do you have a study group? Have you gone to your instructors for feedback/advice on how to study better and comprehend the work? Seven months is a long time to go through a program and "not have learned a thing".

Yes, nursing requires analytical, logical and critical thinking skills. You need to be able to take the facts & subject matter and apply that to clinical situations. Just because you know the material doesn't necessarily mean that you know how to apply the knowledge. (This was the downfall of several of my classmates--they could memorize information like no one else but they could not apply the information to clinical case studies or use the knowledge in a clinical setting. Thus they scored poorly on clinical evaluations and assessments.) Generally your teachers are not out to fail you, but you are expected to be an adult and ask for help, listen to feedback (positive & negative) and move forward.

kitty222 · Jul 12, 2011

thank you very much for taking your time and answering, im not really cheating but i feel like im cheating because once im done with my test i forget about everything and i dont really pass with high scores, i meant cheating in a way that i only study what is exactly going on the test, and i want to be able to critically think about the clinical situations im so frustruated. Right now im in foundations of pharmacology

adaggiote · Jul 12, 2011

thank you very much for taking your time and answering, im not really cheating but i feel like im cheating because once im done with my test i forget about everything and i dont really pass with high scores, i meant cheating in a way that i only study what is exactly going on the test, and i want to be able to critically think about the clinical situations im so frustruated. Right now im in foundations of pharmacology

I know how you feel. I just graduated last week, but I am not too happy with myself!! I was always a user of testbanks. I even used test banks on the HESI and NCLEX. I told myself that I just wanted to get it over with. Howeevr, I am very successful in what I do today. Because of those resources, I was still able to adapt to any clinical setting faster than my peers did. If I were you, I would just stay strong...and look into getting some testbanks for yourself as well. I would also learn how to manage your emaotions...cheers and good luck!

AgentBeast, BSN, RN · Jul 12, 2011

Not having a clinical course going at the same time as this course you have nothing to relate or apply what you are learning in lecture to. Right now it's like you are learning to swim by reading a textbook. Things just don't work that way. Once you start clinical things should become easier.

sandanrnstudent · Jul 12, 2011

What is a test bank? (sorry if this is a dumb question)

sandanrn

AgentBeast, BSN, RN · Jul 12, 2011

What is a test bank? (sorry if this is a dumb question)
sandanrn

A list of questions put together by a text book publisher that can be used by instructors to create tests from.

digitiminimi · Jul 12, 2011

I know how you feel. I just graduated last week, but I am not too happy with myself!! I was always a user of testbanks. I even used test banks on the HESI and NCLEX. I told myself that I just wanted to get it over with. Howeevr, I am very successful in what I do today. Because of those resources, I was still able to adapt to any clinical setting faster than my peers did. If I were you, I would just stay strong...and look into getting some testbanks for yourself as well. I would also learn how to manage your emaotions...cheers and good luck!

Test banks = cheating.

AgentBeast, BSN, RN · Jul 12, 2011

Test banks = cheating.

Eh, I kind of straddle the fence on this issue. On one hand yeah it sort of is cheating, but on the other hand the student still has to learn the material. Does it matter if they learn it by reading the text, or by working through hundreds of "test bank" questions?

JROregon, ASN, BSN, RN · Jul 13, 2011

I don't like the idea of using test banks but it is helpful to use practice questions. I really found that things really "clicked" when I picked up patients that related to my coursework. Helpful during med-surg.

LuxAeternaRN · Jul 13, 2011

I'm sorry you're feeling this way. I remember feeling this way during my first year. Little did I know, I actually WAS learning things and building on what I had learned. It's just overwhelming at first because so much info is flying at you at once. What has helped you in the past to focus and pass classes? I felt I was much better at concentrating if I had slept well and/or had some coffee before class. I recommend reading or at least skimming the assigned material before you go to class. This way you have an idea of what they're talking about and aren't hearing it for the first time. Take good notes or highlight notes you've made from reading during lecture. After class, at some point, read as much as you can and go over notes. I'm not sure what you're learning style is but for me, I have to read, read, read! The main thing is to keep up as best you can with the material so you aren't cramming. Even if you just study enough to pass exams, you won't be fully prepared for NCLEX. It's hard work but it sounds like you're enjoying it so that's great! Just keep at it!

Edit: Also, if you haven't, invest in a NCLEX book. They have great books available that break things down as well as give you practice questions.

kitty222 · Jul 13, 2011

LuxAeternaRN : Thank you very much, what i started to do is drink coffee in the morning and sit infront of the class, im going over the book and notes before and after class, on monday i have a test on respiratory care and nutritions , any good website for that? i like to watch how things are done when it comes to learning. and thank you very much for helping me :)

adagiotte: I was doing that, but the school noticed that students had the bank and changed all tests, by the way i wasn't really larning anything with banks.... Thank you very muchhh for answering :)