HELP! I suck at nursing test questions

[ktweis, ASN]

Hi everyone! 
 

I just started a nursing program that began in January.. This is my second time starting the program— I had to drop out bc of a very personal issue the first time.. 

The last time I was in the program, I passed my first pharm test and skills class test with an A... my fundamentals class was another story.. I received a 72.... needed a 76%.. now, I was going thru a very rough time and didn’t think it was the right time for me to be in school.. so I dropped out 

Fast forward 3 years later— I decided to give nursing school another try- thinking I was ready.... I still don’t think I am

We have these lab quizzes that we have to take online.. 6 questions... 10 minutes.. and the last 2 times, I’ve gotten a 4/6– these should be easy points, and I keep messing up!! 

I have severe test anxiety.. my HR gets waaaaay up there right before a test... I overthink the questions and end up getting them wrong.. we have practice questions for each chapter, that I am terrible at! 
 

I’ve come to the conclusion that maybe I am unable to critically think like a nurse... I am a straight A student.. I should be able to do this— but I know nursing school is a whole different ball game....

I have not taken my first exam yet (it’s in less than a week) and I’ve been studying like crazy.... I’m trying to stay positive! but it’s been really difficult..  

I’m not going to give up tho!! even if I fail my first exam, I’m going to keep going..  

Any advice for a nursing student who is thinking maybe she can’t pass these stupid exams?!

[Hannahbanana, BSN, MSN]

Does your school have a program to teach study skills? If so, they've seen nursing students who are having a hard time learning to think like a nurse, and will have some hints for you. You can also find somebody in the psychology department, or get a referral from the student health clinic, to help you with test anxiety management skills. This is not an uncommon problem, and there are ways to deal c it.

[ktweis, ASN]

Thank you Hannahbanana! I'm sure there are programs to teach study skills.. I'll have to look into that!

I've been looking online at resources and have been looking through a test strategy book we were given at the beginning of the semester.. I've been doing a ton of practice questions from the book and even ones that I've found online.. I usually get between a 60% and 70% on them ?

I'm great with skills and I'm able to answer almost all questions that are asked in class.. but these questions.... I'm taking my first exam in about an hour.. I'm doing my best to be positive..... wish me luck!

[Hannahbanana, BSN, MSN]

NCLEX Review books will help you, too. Be sure to get the one(s) that give you the rationales for the correct answers AND the reasons the wrong answers (called distractors for a good reason) are wrong. You can learn a lot from those.