Need a pep talk - starting to feel like a complete moron

[tsm007]

Gosh, I am used to being an A student. I usually do not have to work that hard for info to sink in, but I am by no means a slacker either. I always study hard and work hard for my grades, but man on man am I getting frustrated. These are not things that I think studying more will help on either. These NCLEX style questions are just hard to get used to. The wording on them sucks and to be honest sometimes I feel like it does nothing to prepare you to be a better nurse, but all to do with how to learn to read trick questions.

I am taking a study break. I am sure that I will learn to read the trick questions better. Does anybody have any good resources for getting used to reading these type of questions? I do not think studying the material more will help. I really think I need something that helps me attack the questions better - you know looking for key words and test taking skills. Normally I am a very good test taker so I know that there is a bit of a science to learning to be a good test taker. I just need to find the tricks to NCLEX style testing as this is new for me.

[RN/Mom]

NCLEX style questions take practice, that's all I can say. When I read the question, I always ask myself, "What is this question REALLY asking?" Usually you can eliminate at least half the possible answers and narrow it down to two. Be sure to read the question carefully so that the answer you choose matches what it is asking for (e.g., if it's asking for a collaborative intervention, don't choose the nursing intervention.)

Do you have any NCLEX review books? I own several, and bought most of them used on Amazon. They are really helpful because they explain rationales for choosing certain answers over others and give you lots of practice NCLEX style questions.

Here is a good NCLEX review available online:

Main Menu - NCLEX-RN 3500 - Institutional Version

[♑ Capricorn ♑]

I think you've answered your own questions. :) You can always purchase extra books on test-taking skills and critical thinking skills. Of course, get an NCLEX review book(s). But, I think with NCLEX type questions its easy to over analyze the question and/or scenario and mentally add more to the question, than what it is really asking. Which can screw people up because their own thoughts while reading the question is interferring with what is actually written. Its best to always eliminate the answers which have no relation at all to the question. If you're down to two answers, go with your gut-feeling and then don't go back and change your answers. Again, DON'T GO BACK AND CHANGE YOUR ANSWERS. The only time you should change your answers is if you are 110% positive that the other one is correct, otherwise don't do it.

[SNMMCC]

I agree with everything posted above. NCLEX questions take time and practice to learn how to handle them. One piece of advice is do not over read or analyze the question. Sometimes when people look at a question and the answers they bring in outside experiences into the question or may start to add information to the question. When reading a question just take it at face value, nothing more nothing less. I know it can be hard when you are not doing as good as you would like. Do not get down on yourself, this will only make it worse. Just remember what you did is in the past, just learn from it and focus on the future.

[tsm007]

NCLEX style questions take practice, that's all I can say. When I read the question, I always ask myself, "What is this question REALLY asking?" Usually you can eliminate at least half the possible answers and narrow it down to two. Be sure to read the question carefully so that the answer you choose matches what it is asking for (e.g., if it's asking for a collaborative intervention, don't choose the nursing intervention.)

Do you have any NCLEX review books? I own several, and bought most of them used on Amazon. They are really helpful because they explain rationales for choosing certain answers over others and give you lots of practice NCLEX style questions.

Here is a good NCLEX review available online:

Main Menu - NCLEX-RN 3500 - Institutional Version

Thanks for the link. That was helpful. I did purchase a few apps for my cell phone with NCLEX questions. I have been trying to do them and it's helping me to click with these questions.

[tsm007]

I think you've answered your own questions. :) You can always purchase extra books on test-taking skills and critical thinking skills. Of course get an NCLEX review book(s). But, I think with NCLEX type questions its easy to over analyze the question and/or scenario and mentally add more to the question, than what it is really asking. Which can screw people up because their own thoughts while reading the question is interferring with what is [b']actually[/b] written. Its best to always eliminate the answers which have no relation at all to the question. If you're down to two answers, go with your gut-feeling and then don't go back and change your answers. Again, DON'T GO BACK AND CHANGE YOUR ANSWERS. The only time you should change your answers is if you are 110% positive that the other one is correct, otherwise don't do it.

I usually never change my answers, but you are right on with this one. I wound up not going with my gut on a couple of the questions and over reading the question. I also think I needed to be more prepared for the material. I think I've gotten a little rusty on my study habits.

[tsm007]

I agree with everything posted above. NCLEX questions take time and practice to learn how to handle them. One piece of advice is do not over read or analyze the question. Sometimes when people look at a question and the answers they bring in outside experiences into the question or may start to add information to the question. When reading a question just take it at face value, nothing more nothing less. I know it can be hard when you are not doing as good as you would like. Do not get down on yourself, this will only make it worse. Just remember what you did is in the past, just learn from it and focus on the future.

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm feeling much better today. I'll be able to retake the section that I did badly on tomorrow and I am going to move forward and consider this a learning lesson. Hopefully each of these little bumps in the road will make me a better nurse in the end.

[Woodenpug, BSN]

Best of luck. Let us know how it worked. The truth is, for me, the NCLEX was disappointingly, easy. My co-workers, feel the same way. The problem is in test anxiety. Are you less anxious having expressed your anxiety? Or are your only reinforcing that anxiety?

Once graduating from a legit nsg program, the NCLEX is a simple formality. It is more a test of your program than a test of your competence.

[tsm007]

Best of luck. Let us know how it worked. The truth is, for me, the NCLEX was disappointingly, easy. My co-workers, feel the same way. The problem is in test anxiety. Are you less anxious having expressed your anxiety? Or are your only reinforcing that anxiety?

Once graduating from a legit nsg program, the NCLEX is a simple formality. It is more a test of your program than a test of your competence.

I almost never get test anxiety. That's usually a non-issue for me. I did not go into this exam prepared. I think I've gotten rusty on my studying having been out of school quite a while. I will be more prepared for the next one. I am pretty good at self talk and not letting negative thoughts invade my head too much. I just sometimes have to verbalize and make a plan and I think just sleeping on it I could wake up and see what was missing. It wasn't just the questions being tricky. I wasn't familiar enough with the material and I did not study like I normally do. I think I was not doing my part taking responsibility for going in unprepared. I will not make that mistake again. Next test I plan to nail it and I will be back to update with how I do on my next one.

[Woodenpug, BSN]

O.K. Best wishes for your next one.