can't pass exams

[tann1221]

Hey everyone

this is my first post here and I hope I can get some opinions. I decided to go back to school after 10 years and get into nursing. I took all my pre reqs and passed with little problems. I applied and was accepted to the nursing program and had no trouble 8 intro to nursing. Here I am know in nursing 1 and after 3 exams I am failing. I read the book , i go to all lectures , go to study groups, do tons of practice queations and go to the tutor and I just can't pass the exams. I know the material because when I am asked questions i know the answers and the practice questions I have no trouble with. Why can't I pass the exams? Feel like giving up whigh is something I normally don't do. Any advice.

[katness]

Hi Tann! I'm sorry to hear that you're struggling with your tests. Definitely don't give up if this is your dream and your goal. It can be very disheartening to go from the testing format of pre-nursing to that of nursing. Looking at NCLEX books really helped me. Basically, nursing tests are asking you to apply what you know to various scenarios rather than regurgitate facts. NCLEX books and programs are full of questions like the ones you'll experience on your program. You can usually get them from you school library, nursing resource center or public library, or buy them online or from a bookstore if that's within your budget. Stay as current as possible. There are also CD ROMS or programs you can upload to your computer. Sounds like you just need to adjust to the types of questions they ask in nursing. Hope this helps, and good luck to you!

[nowim clean]

My guess would be 1 if you do know it then you're second guessing yourself. try this read the question not the answers, then think what would you do look and see if that is a choice. Also pay attention to key words in nursing pay attention to never always they do not exist there is always an exception.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

I would schedule some time with an instructor to see if they have any hints on how to study purposefully or how to read the test questions and determine best response.

[RnH15]

Hang in there- if you truly know the material it sounds like it is a matter of mastering test taking strategies. For me, doing tons of practice NCLEX type questions and reading ALL of the rationales helped a LOT. I was able to understand the way of thinking behind the nursing school style questions. Are your instructors accessible to students for help? If so I would try to schedule time with one you feel comfortable with,they may be able to give you some pointers.

I LOVE nurse labs-here is one of their articles on test taking strategies.....when I do not know the answer based on content, I fall back on these

http://nurseslabs.com/11-test-taking-tips-strategies/

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

I would schedule some time with an instructor to see if they have any hints on how to study purposefully or how to read the test questions and determine best response.

This.

The best way to find out what you are doing is to speak to the instructor and come up with a plan; even if it means withdrawing and trying again; but before that, sitting down with an instructor helps to gain perspective, as well as additional reading materials to help, besides the NCLEX review-one book comes to mind for me is Critical Thinking and Nursing Judgement, given to me by PN nursing instructor many moons ago; it helps give pointers in order to think like a nurse-it is available on Amazon.

This book helped me understand how to think like a nurse; I still use it to help gain insight as I evolve through my career.

Best wishes.

[Lilia1, BSN, RN]

I also had a hard time taking the exams. The quizzes were easy, but the exams were "foreign" to me. I figured the problem out, I didn't know how to apply critical thinking to the exam questions so I went on different internet sites & practiced. It is a skill we need to practice thoroughly, give it a try... I found videos on Youtube, just search critical thinking in nursing :) Good luck!