Nursing school frustrates me

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I am a first semester nursing student and have taken 3 exams thus far. I have made three 80s. I dont feel these scores accurately represent my knowledge of the testable material. I have done very well in clinicals and check offs but cant seem to crack a strategy for these nursing exams.I graduated last spring with a biology degree and always made good marks in college (when i applied myself). But i always feel confident going into the nursing exams and then i feel like they throw me questions out of left field and i leave feeling ridiculously stupid. Any advice to a frustrated nursing 1 student?

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If you don't already have one, definitely pick up an NCLEX review book. Look for one that gives the rationales for the correct answers. There are many to choose from, so you might want to ask your instructors if there is one they'd recommend. Many of mine recommended the Saunders, or Mosby's, but I like this one: Amazon.com: Pearson Reviews & Rationales: Comprehensive Review for NCLEX-RN® (2nd Edition) (Reviews & Rationales Series) (9780132621076): Mary Ann Hogan: Bookshe best thing to do is practice those NCLEX style questions to get a better understanding of how to approach them. I hope this helps.

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Specializes in Medical-surgical nursing.

Chances are your school is formatting their exam questions the way the NCLEX formats. Last semester was my first semester, and the questions really threw me for a loop. They were totally different than what I experienced during my non-nursing bachelors schooling. If you're in fundamentals of nursing or med-surg, go check out your school library. Every school is equipped with a selection of books for nursing students. These books have hints for eliminating answers, how to understand wording, etc. Also your professor's should be a good resource to help you- they probably have some helpful hints as well as an assortment of books they can lend you. And remember the golden rule for any nursing exam- ABC's first & ALWAYS THINK LIKE A NURSE! Good luck!

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Do the questions ever get easier? In 2nd 3rd or 4th semester?

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Do the questions ever get easier? In 2nd 3rd or 4th semester?

Nope!

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Our test questions are modeled after NCLEX questions to help us prepare throughout nursing school for the "big N" :) Sometimes we may have several "correct" answers but our instructors want the BEST correct answer...doesn't always work out that well lol

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The questions don't get easier, but you will get better at answering them!

I was always an A student and I made Bs in Fundamentals because I wasn't used to NCLEX style questions. As others have said, get a review book and/or computer program that gives questions and rationales. I almost exclusively use the CD-ROMs to study and it helps tremendously. I like Saunders and Lippincot NCLEX 4000. Also do all the questions in your text/study guide/text's CD-ROM.

I am in my 3rd semester and getting As by studying my notes and doing tons of practice questions. It just takes some practice, but once you learn how nursing questions work, you will be able to pick out the best answer even if you are unsure of the material.

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Need help?

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definitely do TONS of practice questions! i have at least 3 books for practice questions.

1)an ancient saunders nclex review book that has been passed down from a graduate, to another graduate, to me.

2) an nclex reveiw made incredibly easy book

3) i usually buy the test success book for whatever class i'm in currently. for example "psychiatric mental health success" for psych.

that said, i also love the made incredibly easy series of books for general study. i have a growing pile of the now.

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I say just be happy you are passing, of course continue to study and keep trying hard, but don't beat yourself up about it. Employers after graduation don't care what your test scores were and 80% is usually passing on the NCLEX.

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I guess i will be buying some books to study ha. Thanks for all the advice.Its just been a frustrating experience and hope to do the best i can.

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Specializes in Nursing Informatics, E.R., med surg, ENT.

It's your first semester just keep going. The other posters have given you good advice on the review books. I would recommend review software as well to simulate the NCLEX experience. I would assume the tests you are taking are designed to enahnce your "critical thinking" skills. One day you will see it "click" and "come together" in your head and you have started thinking like a nurse.

Best Wishes! I hope to see your post one day as an RN

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