I need to do better on my nursing exams, PLEASE HELP!

skimpstah · Feb 5, 2011

I understand you completely. I just took my first exam (1st semester), which is the easiest test of the semester...possibly, the easiest of the entire program, and I got an 80 (minimum required to pass). Our test was also 50 questions, and I felt pretty good about it when I left class. Didn't think I aced it, but at least a solid B. Then I come home, log on to see the grades, and I got an 80. I was really upset. I read all the chapters, went over the powerpoints, extra notes, and even did some practice questions from Saunders' NCLEX book. What the heck?!

Mike R, ADN, BSN, RN · Feb 5, 2011

It's not enough that these schools cram tons of information into our heads, but then they test us not on facts but how all of these pieces relate to each other.

In the end, as a nurse you should know what to expect from medical diagnosis, possible complications, medications and their side effects and what you would do about all of it as well as any pertinent teachings. After all, that's what nurses do.

I see a lot of new students getting hung up on the small details and cramming every bit of knowledge from the readings. Think of the big picture.

When in doubt, safety questions get safety answers. Eliminate the two answers that are obviously wrong. Select the answer that directly addresses the stem of the question.

OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN · Feb 5, 2011

wish I had something better to write or helpful but I am in the same boat. Above post I actually checked your profile because I thought maybe you went o my school. :) I had the same thing..I'm also in my 1st semester and we also just had our first test and needed an 80 to pass. I left thinking i did pretty well and then I checked my grades later that afternoon and I barely passed If anyone gets any good advice I would love to hear it because I've never had this trouble before and its so frustrating!

skimpstah · Feb 5, 2011

iluvpatho: your post is almost identical to mine. I hate to chuckle, but I couldn't resist. What are we doing wrong? I didn't expect a 93 (A in my school), but a freaking 80?!?!?! one more point and I would have failed. If anything, I'm appreciative of this forum, where I can vent with others, and hopefully gain some insight on how to do better from seasoned students. Here's hoping that we do better on our next exam. :cheers:

CrnaDae · Feb 5, 2011

Im in an Accelerated Program in Miami...Theres a waiting list in every school. This is my ONLY chance of getting Nursing degree and I too with a Bachelors in Business managed to get As and Bs...I failed each exam and I need a 78 to pass... 10 chapter exam each class. I am on here looking for a tutor because I think either Im over cramming and thinking to damn much or my process of eliminating answers isnt working and my rationale isnt so rational... I failed both Fundamentals of Nursing 1 Assessment and 1 Pharm exam... I didnt get 78 or better I failed. So I have 2 exams left in each class and have NO clue what I am answering to even begin to gain concept of why my answers are incorrect... :/ I did the whole looking at what the question is asking and elimiating those and still...I passed half and failed half... ;/ not to mention we ONLY get 1 min per question. Uggg... I dont know where to look for help. The Cds, Lec notes, flash cards and reading isnt helping... Now im at home on Fri night trying to figure this all out... I fail one class Im on automatic probation AND I get kicked out the next time!!!

ren246 · Feb 5, 2011

sorry to hear about your experiences. i am in my 2nd year 2nd semester of nursing school and it has not been easy at all. i dont know if i can be of any help, just let me know.

amoorect · Feb 5, 2011

Test Success: Test-Taking Techniques for Beginning Nursing Students [Paperback]

Dr Patricia Nugent (Author), Barbara Vitale (Author)

I recommend buying at amazon.com

This was highly recommended to me prior to beginning Nur101 by both staff and students. I found it to be incredibly helpful! The questions on nursing exams are very different from the questions that we have been so used to taking. This book really helps you to start 'thinking like a nurse' and how to break-down the question being asked in order to choose the most appropriate answer. Most times there are more than one right answer. The key is to really understand what the question is asking and then to choose the most appropriate right answer. It's very tricky! Good luck with everything, don't give up! :)

caliotter3 · Feb 5, 2011

Immediately make an appointment to see your instructors and/or your advisor. You have no time to waste.

Streamline2010 · Feb 5, 2011

it's not enough that these schools cram tons of information into our heads, but then they test us not on facts but how all of these pieces relate to each other.
in the end, as a nurse you should know what to expect from medical diagnosis, possible complications, medications and their side effects and what you would do about all of it as well as any pertinent teachings. after all, that's what nurses do.
...

^^ this. in. the. end!! stop trying to teach it that way in the beginning! it's grossly unfair to students to expect them to apply a concept until they thoroughly understand it. instructors don't take an accounting i student and make them try to pass the cpa exam questions, do they?

learn first, then apply. to teach it any other way is just setting the students up to fail. it's not good teaching. it's stupid women-think, again. can't organize, can't streamline it, can't remember to say what the key points are, out of all that blathering. if this stuff is indeed a system, then it has a stupid-simple work process and decision tree for the beginner, and then after they learn that rudimentary thing, then you start fleshing it in and teaching about more than one way to do this or that, or more than one thing to consider. please make some sense of your "system" before you stand up to teach it, you stupid women instructors! students don't learn by osmosis. if this is a beginner class, be sure to emphasis exactly what you want them to learn from each lecture. i feel like this is all just one big game of keep-away: "there is a message someplace in all of this 4 hours of talking i am going to do, but you'll have to figure out for yourself what is is, haha!"

there, i am off my soap box. if i manage to learn anything textbook in nursing i, it will be because i taught it to myself, not because the curriculum and the teaching tools are well designed.

original post: get the study guide that goes with your textbook. most of these instructors will pull questions almost straight from that if the school didn't suggest or require your to buy the study guide, i'd almost bet that their test questions are running very close to those in the study guide.

sis N · Feb 5, 2011

Sorry to hear about your distress . I started nursing so scared after listening to a ton of stories and how a C= passing and blah blah blah blah ............ i can now tell you that I am now in the 3rd sememster and have yet to get a C grade .

My style has been to read and apply rather than try to study & cram definition . understand what is being said and then try to apply it to everyday life , i found that it helped me during testing. Also attend test taking skills conferences or meeting usually provided in every school for maybe an hour or less .

There are always a few give away in test answer options that instant lets you know that that can never be the answer e.g any answer that has to do with the patient and has the word always anywhere in the sentence is always wrong . The patient case varies so one thing can never apply to everyone .

The other one is the words "first " "priority" "not" "never" "always " . stop and circle ,underline because our brain as student have a way of over looking and dismissing these words and trust me they always determine what the most correct answer will be , since all others are usually correct .

Youtube has a great professor listed (Campbell teaching ) He is better than all the instructors I have ever had and i listen to him all the time and he answers questions also all the way from UK . study guide works too use those questions and it will build your level of confidence and who knows you may even see the same or similar question on your exams .

I hope I have been able to help in one way or the other . Good Luck ! YOU CAN DO THIS !

IaCountryGirl · Feb 7, 2011

I don't know if this helps.....but I find reading from the textbook is pretty pointless for me. I do much better by utilizing videos on youtube and doing case studies. Don't be afraid to sit down with one of your instructors with a completed case study and ask for their opinion- and they will tell you why your answer was wrong, and what you're doing really well at.

And if a friend or family member is diagnosed with something, then I do a little research and compare it with what they've shared with me. I know that sounds odd....but it helps me relate.