I feel like it's the end

KimRN2015 · Mar 29, 2014

I completely understand how you feel. I'm in Medsurg 1 right now and drowning is a good way to describe it! All I can offer is don't give up. It's an uphill battle all the way and there are many of us fighting alongside you. Those application NCLEX style questions are killer when you've never been exposed to them . Keep your chin up and let us know how this semester turns out!

kp1987 · Mar 29, 2014

I feel your pain. I did really good first semester and started doing terrible on midterms and tests this semester. It was manageable because I always did great in clinical. But I've been so burnt out I've been making stupid decisions and mistakes so now I'm not doing so great. It sucks but we can get through this.

crossfitnurse · Mar 29, 2014

I feel the SAME WAY. I've been asking myself what happened to the "easy" of the first and second semesters!? I completely BOMBED my first test in med surg, did well on the second test with an 83 and am waiting for my grade on this 3rd test, which is hopefully a 90.

It's hard - if it were easy I think you'd see a lot less posts on here like this;)

Do you use any other books other then "made easy?" Those only have 5 practice questions or so a chapter. I would look into other book that have a lot more. For this past test I used the ATI practice exams which helped me feel way more confident too, not sure if you have that to use?

If not - google "such and such nursing test" (by such and such I mean the content you are going over, like respiratory for example) and use those. There are PLENTY!

On this past test I went EXTRA SLOW and mouthed the question to myself so I made sure I UNDERSTOOD what it was asking. I did way better even if I may of looked dumb in the process

We can do this!!!!!

ladybuglovee · Mar 29, 2014

Oh, I understand! In med-surg 1 right now, getting ready to take my final. I recommend the Med-surg Success book (Davis Q&A Success Series) -it has helped me a lot more than I thought it would. It has tons of questions broken down into pretty specific subjects- like there's a section for diverticulitis, diabetes, etc.- it gives a rational for why the right answer is right and why the wrong answers are wrong. If you do every applicable question for what you're being tested on and read every rationale it's very effective. I'm also looking into a computer program called PrepU that my classmates have recommended. The key seems to be in doing as many NCLEX style questions as possible while studying. Hope this helps!

L8RRN · Mar 29, 2014

While taking the test, cover the answers with a blank index card while you read the question and see if you can formulate an answer BEFORE moving the index card. If what you thought of is one of the options on the multiple choice, pick that one and move on. A lot of times you will overthink things and talk yourself out of a correct answer when you see all the possible answers in front of you. If you just go with your gut, you generally will do a lot better.

PS...Be sure to ask permission to use the blank index card beforehand. Our instructors let us do it but we had to show them the blank card before the test started so they wouldn't think we were cheating.

Fiat40 · Mar 29, 2014

As much as you hate those questions, taking about a hundred/day of prep-u got me out of this rut you are in. My brain works fast, and passes over things, you have to slow down and read the rationales. Practice is the only way, just like anything else. And Saunders, can't say enough about how much that has helped, too. It is like learning a different language. Some people seem to pick it right up, but I did not. I will gradate in May, only by the grace of God and lots of hard work.

simplyblissful · Mar 29, 2014

Don't lose hope! Find a system that works for you and stick to it. Have you tried study groups? Practice questions? Don't overwhelm yourself trying to read every single page of your readings. Focus on the main concepts that your instructor stresses you guys on. Once you understand the concepts, you could develop your own questions that you think would be on the exam. Think of possibilities and scenarios that they would ask you about in correlation with the concepts in your chapter. The tough part is that the questions, at least on my exams, have more than one right answer. The key is to choose the BEST one. Really think through the questions and eliminate one by one. Think rationally, think like a nurse!! Its still a challenge for me. I've been doing pretty well on my exams but I failed my last one. Was it discouraging? Yes. But I don't have time to dwell on it.

Don't know if any of that made sense but I hope it helped you in some way. Don't give up!!! There's also room for improvement, just use all resources available to you. Practice, practice, practice! Good luck

Jenngirl34RN · Mar 30, 2014

Do you have the Saunder's NCLEX review book? It has a ton of practice questions, and there is an online resource thing that has even more questions.

tiredRNstudent · Mar 30, 2014

As much as you hate those questions, taking about a hundred/day of prep-u got me out of this rut you are in. My brain works fast, and passes over things, you have to slow down and read the rationales. Practice is the only way, just like anything else.

I agree with this. Do the Prep U questions if you have access to them. I hit them hard before a test, and it's really helped.

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · Mar 30, 2014

I felt like this through all of nursing school. My advice is stop worrying about the end and worry about the today. ONE day at a time. Keep on keeping on.. you can do this!