Not doing well in school. Need advice.

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Oct 10, 2009

One you are not alone, their are many people that don't do well on the fundamentals tests because it's just a whole new way of testing. I would say your best best is to make an appointment with your instructor for fundamentals and have them review your tests with you and maybe they can help you see where you are going wrong and what kind of key words you need to look for and stuff.

mybrowneyedgirl, BSN, RN · Oct 10, 2009

Can you review your test to see where you "went wrong"? Also, the Saunders NCLEX review book is informative and gives rationales. This should help with your test taking.

Wish you the best.

allnurses Guide · Oct 10, 2009

If you know the material but don't take the test well, do practice questions until you can choose the best answer in your sleep. Every wrong answer either has a flag item that immediately knocks it out of consideration, or the right answer is "more right" ie. best. Are you nervous in test-taking? How are you getting the answers right in study group but not in exam?

As a general rule to prioritize in situational NCLEX-style questions:

- ABCs first

- Physical before psychosocial problems

- Choose the overall/birds eye view answer that covers more rather than the more specific answer

Agree that reviewing tests and why you chose the wrong answers and why the right answers were right with your instructor. It goes a long way to prevent failing out if the teacher knows you recognize the problem and are working to improve - especially if you're doing well in your other classes.

Hotdharma2011 · Oct 10, 2009

I agree with the previous posts, that you should try to review your tests and talk to your instructor if possible. Before I start studying, I always review the vocab, and make sure I understand the terms well, well enough to rewrite the definition in my own words. I also re-write the notes, in my own words, and when taking the tests, I try to answer the question before looking at the given answers, if that's possible. And always look for sneaky words in the question, like always, normal, never....Oh and lastly, if the question asks for a priority nursing intervention and you look and see the exact match, the thing that works, make sure it's an intervention and not a goal, or vice-versa! Those are the ones that are really sneaky!!! Also, make sure to sleep and eat and be hydrated. Now, I really need to go back to studying for my test on Monday!

Good luck!!!

rouqie · Oct 10, 2009

I found that relating the different to situations in the questions to real patients that I have encountered to be the best help. I can't remember facts very well. but when i look at a patient I can remeber what they looked like and what caused their body tolook that way.

Also in fundamental remembers you ABC's it save my butt a few times.

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Oct 11, 2009

Yep when finding the "best" answer always remember Airway breathing and circulation are always priorities it doesn't matter what the other things are, if their is an answer that is one of the ABC that is it.

Also, assessment, assessment, assessment. If you have a priority question that is about basic stuff (not the patient can't breath etc.) and one of the answers involves the nurse assessing in some way, it's probably that.

I think though you instructor would probably be able to best spot where you are going wrong, and you have failed 2 tests now so the sooner you see her the better, you don't want to try and figure it out on your own again and risk failing another test.

I also have a book they recommended Fundamentals for Success and it has been super helpful.

ShantheRN, BSN, RN · Oct 11, 2009

ABCs are your friend - seriously. I keep that in my head every time I do a test.

Also....try talking through the question. A few of us started doing this during breaks and it really helps. Here's one of our study questions so you know what I mean.

Q) Your patient had a hip replacement and is struggling with mobility. She is on Lasix. You work the overnight shift. What is the best way to ensure patient safety?

a. make sure the bathroom light is on, and there are no floor hazards

b. make sure the bed is in the lowest position

c. check once an hour and ask patient if they need assistance

d. make sure a bedside commode is within reach of patient

Unfortunately, all of these answers are correct. That's what sucks about critical thinking questions LOL The answer ended up being B. A and D are good....unless the bed is up too high and the patient tumbles out. C isn't feasible because you have more than one patient, and no one wants to be bothered once an hour while they're sleeping. B is the BEST answer because it ensures the safest conditions regardless of the situation.

I argued for D like my life depended on it LOL Finally we asked our instructor after class. She said ideally B would already be done so you'd proceed to D, but for testing purposes always pick the answer that is "most right." It drives me batty, but I had to admit her explanation cleared it up right away.

During testing, I do a mental checklist for each choice, eliminating choices till I pick the best one. You have to take your time and work through the logic of each. That's what works for me! Hope it helps you :smilecoffeecup:

DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN · Oct 11, 2009

This best answer thing is going to make me a little crazy...right now I am in 1st semester. I figure it can only get harder.

aerorunner80, ADN, BSN, MSN, APRN · Oct 11, 2009

fundamentals suck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i mean really suck!!!!!! at our school fundamentals has been compared to boot camp. ick!

so now that's off my chest, do you have a person at your school that can help you learn how to study for nursing school tests? we have a lady like that at our school. i've never gone to her but a lot of my classmates have and they have had huge successes since seeing her!

one thing that i had to get through my head is that when a question asks "the nurse walks into a room......." is to replace nurse with i so it reads..........."i walk into a room and see..................................".

the other things that have helped me are knowing priorities. every time i take a test i write these things down on my scratch paper...........

a (airway)

b (breathing)

c (circulation)

p (pain)

s (safety)

a (assess)

d (diagnose)

p (plan)

i (interventions)

e (evaluation)

maslow's heirarchy. (physiologic is the first need)

the majority of questions will be answered by the abcps which also covers the physiologic needs in maslow's heirarchy.

if abcps doesn't cover it then i go to my adpie.

in any question though,the first thing you always do is assess which means simple things like checking blood sugar before giving an intermediate or fast acting insulin, checking apical pulse before giving digoxin, checking vital signs if a pt is having any sort of sign/symptom at all (ie, chest pain, dizziness).