HELP! Having trouble in fundamentals and need advice!

whatchamacallits · Sep 21, 2008

Are you having trouble with finding exactly what the question is asking? I've found it helpful to underline the words within the question(we're aloud to write on our tests) that show exactly what they're looking for. If your test is multiple choice, try thinking of what the answer is before reading the choices so that reading a choices themselves won't throw you off.

Also, when you are studying it may help to think of questions on your own. Read a section and anticipate what information they could pull from it for the test.

Good luck!

JettaDP · Sep 21, 2008

Buy some NCLEX books. It will help you get used to the type of questions they ask. It's possible you're reading too much into the questions. They could be asking something relatively simple but then you start racking your brain and coming up with too much information which could be throwing off track of what the question is asking.

Go to your schools student success/development center. They will help you a lot. They can help you figure out why you're not doing well even though you're studying.

As far as too much studying, I suppose it is possible. You could be studying material that you don't need to know right now. But without knowing how your class is and seeing what you're studying, it's kind of hard to tell. Communicate with your teachers.

And certainly don't feel guilty about taking a day off. It's necessary in order to survive nursing school. You have to allow yourself some down time. If you find that you're studying too much and you learn how to study better, you have even more down time and hopefully your stress will decrease.

determined-deedee · Sep 21, 2008

hi, i posted basically the same concerns recently, and got really helpful advice. first of all get nclex for dummies, it will get you used to the types of ?'s on the exams. then go here http://evolve.elsevier.com/staticpag...velopment.html it has some good test taking tips, like you i was amazed at how difficult the ?'s on my first exam seemed. one last bit of advice, understand the reading but don't memorize it. just make sure you really comprehend the concepts.since i started using these strategies i am doing much better answering the ?'s at the end of the chapters. good luck:mad:

Pmkn10RN · Sep 21, 2008

I think that's a great point(comprehending the concepts and not memorizing them). A friend of mine who already graduated gave me that piece of advice. I like the fact that nursing school tests aren't about memorization. I think memorization is harder than "understanding" the material and I always forget things that I memorize anyway. I had my first test in fundamentals on Friday and what helped me was after reading...creating my own notes on the computer. I have a special high lighting system that I've used for years that's helpful( main topics get pink, subtopics get orange, etc). If your book comes with a cd I'd use that as well. I took the quizzes mine contained the day before the test so I could figure out how much I knew. And I'm sure you know this but do not read into the questions.

chevyv, BSN, RN · Sep 21, 2008

What your going through is very typical of a ns. It's shell shock so to speak. The exams are very different than any exams you have had before. You can't just memorize and spew it back out. The questions want you to think like a nurse right from the start. Honestly speaking its a bit ridiculous, you would think that they would offer at least a 2 week course on what to expect and the best ways to test. What would I know though, I'm just a student.

Take the advice here. If you need to repeat the course, try to get some nclex style books to help you get used to testing in this type of format. Also, many text books have cds that have nclex style questions or web sites in the book that offer the same. Check you text and hopefully you'll find it. I feel your pain and know that you can do this, you'll have to change your mind frame, but you can do this! :nurse:

determined-deedee · Sep 21, 2008

Do not read into the ?'s is a good point. I think (gotta stop that, lol) I was overthinking. I haven't gotten the results of my first exam, but I don't think I did very well :uhoh3: I have never had a problem with getting A's. This nursing school thing is truly humbling. I am not nearly as smart as I thought I was.

Brookes1129 · Sep 21, 2008

Before my first Fundamentals exam, I asked my professor to tell me how she would study for this exam. Her advise was very helpful (she is the one who wrote the test after all) and I ended up getting an "A" on the first test. So, I would try to speak with your professor and they can always point you in the right direction.

tiff82 · Sep 21, 2008

There is a book called Fundamentals Succes by Patricia Nuget and Barbara Vitale that helped me and my classmates study and prepare for the exams. It also gives you rationales as to why that answer is the right answer. Nursing exams require great critical thinking skills so its different from the other tests that we are accustomed to taking. I hope that helps and don't give up...you can do this!

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Sep 21, 2008

read the information and weblinks on this sticky thread:

https://allnurses.com/forums/f50/looking-test-taking-stratagies-224581.html - looking for test taking strategies

JeepDudeRN · Sep 21, 2008

Wow...I remember those days of fundamentals. I failed my first test not because I didnt know the info, but I didnt know HOW to take a nursing test. I used to be a rote learner, meaning I had no problem memorizing info for the pre req's courses and those types of tests. When I started the program it was a whole new ball game. You were given 4 answers, and 2 were completely wrong, one is correct, and one is more correct. No one prepared us for this type of test. You really have to utilize critical thinking. You WILL get this, but it is a shock and takes some getting use to. Rest assured, all the future tests you take in nursing school are going to be the same way. Forget about true/false, and questions with only one clear cut perfect answer. They want you to critically think and figure it out. You can buy some books that may help you, form study groups, make flash cards. I actually had to go back and review my Anatomy/Physiology books again and refresh on the disease processes.

Does your fundamentals book come with a study guide or web site companion? Those may help alot too.

Good Luck.

mysterious_one, ASN, RN · Sep 21, 2008

As others have mentioned, fundamentals in a nursing program can be hard, because the tests are so different from the previous prereq tests everyone was used to.

As to your studying:

try figuring out, what kind of learner you are first.

Are you visual:

draw pictures, use diff. colored highlighters, diagrams and so on

Are you auditory:

read out loud, record the lecture and listen to it over and over

Are you kinesthetic:

study while you on a stationary bike, record your lecture and listen to it while you go running

Can you study to much?

I wouldn't say that, but you do need to take breaks. Your mind needs a rest, too. Break up your study time in chunks.

I've also used this book during my fundamentals class, (because NCLEX did not have to much beginner info in it)http://www.amazon.com/Fundamentals-Success-Applying-Critical-Thinking/dp/0803619219/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222005212&sr=8-1

This book will help you to get used to the different style of questions in nursing school. After first semester use NCLEX books with the Cd's. One tip, throughout nursing school, do as many questions as possible, everyday. I tried to do at least 10 a day, and 200 or more before a test. This will also prepare you for NCLEX.

Good luck , you can do it.