Need Helllllpppppp!!!

BarbPick · Dec 31, 2003

Buy any review book, do not read a word. Go straight to the practice tests and take them cold. YOu can now evaluate your strengths and weakness'. Study the weak areas first, and bring it home with the strenghts.

Brabara

sharann, BSN, RN · Dec 31, 2003

I studied the way BarbP suggested and I found it the best way to learn. I would use as many books as I could get my hands on and do those tests. Don't get hung up on the # right and wrong, get hung up with how much you learn throughout the process.

All the books really are the same, with the only difference being the author's and publishers.

IamRN · Dec 31, 2003

Originally posted by Diamond88
Right now, i am thinking of applying for a job as a unit secretary while preparing to challenge the board exam.

I am confused :confused: Which boards are you planning to challenge? One can't just challenge RN/LPN boards...you have to be a graduate of an accredited school.

The medical transcrpition question sounds like it is referring to "taking orders off" from a chart to a Kardex/MAR or whatever system the specific hospital uses.

Diamond88 · Dec 31, 2003

Hi guys!

Thanks for your reply ..they are all very helpful. I will put that in mind. I will try my best. I will keep you posted. Thank you guys again. Thanks a lot for your time.

For: IamRn:

As for the unit secretary question regarding the Process of Medical Transcription. Yup.. they are asking ... to Describe the process of medical transcription in the "eye" of a Unit Secretary. Yeah i believed you are right on "taking orders off' from the chart.. either on Kardex/Max.. can you help me on this one? pLs.?

purplemania, BSN, RN · Jan 1, 2004

When transcribing orders be SURE you can read every single dot and dash. Do not assume you know what the MD meant. If meds are ordered you should record name of med, strength, dose, route, time. Doublecheck to be sure you have recorded all types of orders onto correct MAR or Kardex (use 2 identifiers, not just the name). Be sure to sign off, indicating the orders were transcribed, so the nurse does not waste time doing same tasks twice. STAT orders should be told to the nurse NOW. Hope this helps.

cadeusus2004 · Jan 1, 2004

I tutor for the exam and all my subjects have passed (since its P/F now).

First, I go to the NLN site and get an idea of what will be focussed on the next time (say Pediatrics) and make a note, writing a lesson plan for it.

Second, I use as my base Kaplan (since it has the reputation for 'no nonsense, no complications' review. I do use Saunders and Mosby, but they get too deeply in it. You don't learn Nursing from the NCLEX test, but from real nursing practice (its why they call the profession 'practice')

Third, I have my subjects take the tests cold to find out their stregths and deficiencies. If that happens to be math, I tutor them in that. Springhouse has a great little book: Dosage Calculations Manual by Judith Hopper Deglin (ISBN 87434-146-9) that is only about fifty pages and includes review work tests. Springhouse also has a great book all RNs should carry with them called The Portable RN. I use it, on average in my own practice, at least three times a week.

I also use a Socratic System called: "Stand And Deliver". Its not a book, but simply me asking a question and the subject must answer to my satisfaction. I expect the subjects to write notes as "keys".

If I need to, and I often do, I use mnemonics. There are quite a few and you can find them under "medical mnemonics" on your computer. You may want to print them out.

Everything is relaxed.

The best advice I can give is: RTFQ: "Read The Friggin Question", not "read into the question". confusion will get you in trouble quicker than anything.

Then, at the end of it all, I tell them, "Don't cram before the test. It won't do anything but get you worked-up, tired, scared and you won't remember anything. You might even forget stuff you would otherwise remember.

Eat good and sleep good the weekend before the test. Go party to get your mind off it. If you haven't learned it by now, you sure aren't going to do it with a midnighter or all-weekender cram jam.

Note: Before my own test (these were the days when you did three days of tests plus an oral and we were actually scored), I stayed in the hotel and watched Three Stooges movies on the TV, ate good food, went to a movie. I think it was "Its a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World". I slept about ten hours before the test, ate a light breakfast of pancakes and fruit and coffee, and left a little early- and avoided all those other raccoon-eyed students. My group wore tees that said on the back "RTFQ".

Needless to say, I passed all the tests and the oral board and I got into a little giggle fit over one question about suppositories.

(I used the word "Vagisil" instead of "Lubriderm". Same stuff, you know.) Got a great score.

Use imagery. Visualizing can save you from confusion.

And, carry plenty of hard candy to keep you blood sugar up for usage by the brain. No chocolate: Makes you thristy and the bromides are too soothing. No Hot Tamales, either. something you can just pop in yer mouth.

Don't worry. You will pass.

Diamond88 · Jan 3, 2004

Hello there!

To Purplemania and Cadaseus2004.. thanks guys for your replies. Thanks for the time.. The things you mentioned will help me a great deal..for sure.

Have a nice day and God bless you.

Diamond88

jschut, BSN, RN · Jan 3, 2004

I had 3 different CD's to work with ...

Mosby's, Davis' and.....ummm...can't rememebr!

But just keep working with them until you feel comfortable, and you'll get it!

Best of luck to you!

Hugs!~

Julie :)

Need Helllllpppppp!!!

what the best review books for Nclex?