I need advice to pass my first nursing course. Any tips or techinque I'll be greatful

eva123 · Mar 13, 2013

Try Memory Notebook Mnemonics for Nurses. For test-taking, try covering up the choices and forming a guess based on the question. Chew gum while studying then chew the same flavor during the test. Study with peers and ask instructors if something is unclear.

charli_appleRN · Mar 13, 2013

After you've done your initial studing, concentrate on signs & symptoms and interventions when you go back to review. You can pass any nursing exam as long as you know what to look for and what to do when you find it.

AZMOMO2 · Mar 13, 2013

Study with an NCLEX study guide and answer NCLEX questions!

I can not stress this enough, even pre-nursing students should be doing NCLEX questions even before starting the core nursing classes.

The concepts are what you are being tested on and putting the whole picture together and by getting into the habit of studying by answering NCLEX questions you will make your success all the more achievable.

I recommend the Success series of books! They start with Fundamentals and have Med/Surg, OB, Pharm, Peds...etc...

BARNES & NOBLE | Fundamentals Success: A Q and A Review Applying Critical Thinking to Test Taking / Edition 3 by Patricia M. Nugent | NOOK Study, Paperback

lisajb86 · Mar 13, 2013

Thank You for your advice. I will be look into buying the Mnemonics book.

lisajb86 · Mar 13, 2013

Thank you for your advice. I will start looking for the key words.

lisajb86 · Mar 13, 2013

Thank You for the advice. Which NCLEX book do you recommend? There are so many to chose from, I don't know where to start

tracylynne79 · Mar 13, 2013

It took some time to adjust to the way exam questions are worded. I agree that practicing NCLEX style questions will help! I found it helpful to underline key words in questions, circle words that clue you in to what they are asking, and then ask yourself "What did we learn that this question is trying to extract?" Hope that helps some, and hang in there.

One last thing, make an appointment with your instructor to go over the ones you missed. This can provide valuable insight into their rationale and way of thinking :)

lisajb86 · Mar 13, 2013

Thank You for your help tracylynne79. Its true what you said, about adjusting to the type of questions that is given to us during a test. I need to get in the swing of things. I'll try to talk to my instructor and see what she tells me. I was actually getting discourage and thinking of withdrawl from the program but I think ill hang in there, like you said. Becoming a nurse is my dream and its my passion.

jnurse21, BSN, RN · Mar 13, 2013

I also used the mnemonic books, plus look into the "incredibly easy" books. They have one for funds, med-surg, etc. also, peppermint aids with memory. I always had a cup of peppermint tea as I studied. During tests, have some peppermint gum, tea. Chewing gum will also help with test anxiety

littlebear23 · Mar 13, 2013

Practice, practice, practice! The only way to really understand NCLEX questions is if you practice! In order to think like a nurse, you MUST gain knowledge and learn to ask the question, "Why?" in your readings. For example, if you're learning about the cardiovascular system and the disease processes that go along with it and what meds are used, ask yourself WHY would a health care provider prescribe Metoprolol; then learn the MOST IMPORTANT adverse effects, (learn all of them, but figure out which ones are the most common) and what to do if toxicity occurs.

Also, (and I can not stress this enough) RECORD your lectures! Definitely ask your instructor for permission first since you don't want to get in trouble for something like that. Most professors usually don't go into great detail about the material, but instructors almost always give hints on what to study for, and what the most important concepts you should be looking at before you sit to take your exams. Yes, writing down notes during the lectures is important, but there are things that are usually missed (i.e. you were taking notes and didn't hear, people talking, loss of attention, etc.). It's always helpful to listen to lectures at a later time and review the instructor's power points or notes along with it. My GPA in my test exam category (we have to maintain a grade equal to or greater than 76%) has gone from low C's, to high B's and A's because of this.

If you don't already, read and review a HESI exam book, or NCLEX study guide such as Saunder's. They outline key points and keep out all the fluff that you don't necessarily need to know from your textbook. I know how tedious and exhausting it is to read 5 chapters and each chapter is well over 100 pages, so your study guide will help you understand what you really need to be paying attention to (please read your textbook, since the study guide books aren't meant to take the place of your nursing textbooks).

Review, review, review! Constant reviewing of the material will help keep the information locked away in your memory. As you gain more knowledge, you'll find that it is easier to apply what you know to test questions.

When you've finished your exam and you have received your grade, sit down with your instructor and see which questions you got wrong and ask your instructor for help on the murky areas. Even if you got an A or B, sit down with your instructor. Rarely do students ever get 100%'s and if they do, well.... they're a different breed of human.

Nursing school is hard, but it is manageable. I hope this has helped. :)

lisajb86 · Mar 15, 2013

Thank You, for your helplittlebear23. I will definitaly practice, practice, practice and study with the NCLEX book. I actually e-mail the director today to see we can go over my test because registration is coming up in July for the Fall Semester. Someone had actually try to record a lecture and got in trouble. :unsure: Which means, I have to try and coordinate my head with my hand faster than usual. haha.Like you said, reading is tedious work but there is no other way and it must be done. Your words of wisdom along with the other nice people here that has responed to me have gave me courage to move forward again. :)