I failed Nursing critical thinking :( Can I still become a good nurse?

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So its my 1st sem. in the nursing program was able to pass fundamentals and health assessment. However I failed critical thinking by 4 points on the finals. I am not proud about it and I know I could have done better, but I can't get a grasp of the thinking part. I'm good in all memorization and stuff but applying what I've learned is kind of tricky for me. I narrowed down the choices to 2 answers and end up choosing the wrong one. I do need to make some changes studying and I guess practice the critical thinking part. Can you guys give some tips? Higher nursing students and RNs out there? All of this nursing stuff is so new to me that I guess I'm still finding the best way to study for it. Thanks!

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Am I the only one who failed critical thinking? I am embarrassed that I have to go take my pharm. with the same students last semester and they might noticed that I didn't even pass... I need some studying tips of how can I be successful next semester.

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Specializes in Cardio-Pulmonary; Med-Surg; Private Duty.

I've heard a lot of good things about this book:

Amazon.com: Fundamentals Success: A Q&A Review Applying Critical Thinking to Test Taking (Davis's Success) (9780803627796): Dr Patricia Nugent, Barbara Vitale: Books

There are others out there too -- just do a search on "critical thinking in nursing" and you'll get all kinds of books. Sometimes just reading stuff from another author is enough to make the light bulb turn on -- a fresh perspective may be all it takes!

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Focus on the questions and what they are asking, rather than what you've memorized. If you could give examples of the kind of questions you are having trouble with maybe we could help walk you through them?

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Specializes in CMSRN.

You are not alone! Yes, it's frustrating but it sounds like you need to work on your studying and test taking skills. I think the book that was recommended by another poster looks great. There are other books out there also that will help including Kaplan-RN and Prioritization, Delegation, and Assignment. I especially like the Kaplan book when it comes down to how to breakdown questions and really see what they're asking.

Keep your chin up, work hard, and good luck!

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Hi alopez9367, critical thinking is an integral part in nursing, considering that we are handling life. Don't get frustrated easily, rather be more patient. It takes a lot of practice for you to be a good critical thinker. Before taking the test, you have to read a lot and understand what you've read. In taking the test, don't focus on the questions to discern what really is being asked. Try to cover the choices (If it's a multiple choice question), then try to answer it , compare your answer to the choices. Most of the time, you have to trust you gut feeling. It works!

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Hey guys,

Thanks for the advice! I appreciate it... I did buy this book

[h=1]Test Success: Test-Taking Techniques for Beginning Nursing Students[/h]http://www.amazon.com/Test-Success-Test-Taking-Techniques-Beginning/dp/0803628188/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1355843312&sr=8-1&keywords=test+success+test-taking+techniques+for+beginning+nursing+students

and I'm in the process of reading it for Christmas break. I guess its not just plain memorization but however understanding and applying what you've learned. My three main keys from now on would be read, study, and understand! :) I did slack of a little bit in this class because well I thought the skills were more important to concentrate on such as in my therapeutics and health assessment class. I will study hard this coming semester and attend workshops at the university for study techniques. I am also getting evaluated for ADD-my professor recommended me to do it. Cause I seem to have an anxiety taking tests such as getting fidgety and the flipping pages bother me so much! I never been diagnosed before but it might help me be successful from now on. I guess I learned my lesson..

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