how to pass fundamentals of nursing

Julesmama28 · May 7, 2014

You have a previous bachelors degree in engineering?? You'll do just fine. You obviously know how to study, show up to class and take a test. Don't stress! Fundies is not the hardest class of nursing school. Nursing school in general is not difficult, just very time consuming. Good luck!

Rn 1979 · May 7, 2014

Yes I have a bachlor in civil engineering and I really don't think nursing is that hard since i have been told that pharmacology one of the hardest classes and I passed it easily, even the fundamentals I found it really easy maybe I just was confused with how the questions were worded..

LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN · May 7, 2014

Not difficult? Please. Share your secrets because it's the most difficult thing I have ever undertaken. OP, I finished funds one point from an A, same with all my classes the first year. One or two points from an A (above 90%). So what worked for me is 1) Don't miss a lecture. Or a lab. Or a clinical. I missed one time in the past year for a work orientation (I am also a CNA). 2) Read the material on the OBJECTIVES because that is what you will be tested on, as opposed to the whole chapter. 3) Do homework, and if your class/textbook has an online quizbank like PrepU, do the questions over and over and over (I am up to 3000+ questions in PrepU--- It helps, a lot!) 4) For exam study, my method is to read over power points and rewrite them by hand. That's just how I retain information, it may not work for everyone. Good luck!

AmyRN303, BSN, RN · May 7, 2014

Not difficult? Please. Share your secrets because it's the most difficult thing I have ever undertaken. OP, I finished funds one point from an A, same with all my classes the first year. One or two points from an A (above 90%). So what worked for me is 1) Don't miss a lecture. Or a lab. Or a clinical. I missed one time in the past year for a work orientation (I am also a CNA). 2) Read the material on the OBJECTIVES because that is what you will be tested on, as opposed to the whole chapter. 3) Do homework, and if your class/textbook has an online quizbank like PrepU, do the questions over and over and over (I am up to 3000+ questions in PrepU--- It helps, a lot!) 4) For exam study, my method is to read over power points and rewrite them by hand. That's just how I retain information, it may not work for everyone. Good luck!

And to add to Lori's #4: figure out how you study and retain best and stick with it. The earlier you figure it out, the better.

Also, take a look at test taking strategies early on. Nursing questions quickly move from the "select the right answer" to "select the best answer", which is difficult for many first semester students. Being able to figure out what the question is truly asking (and applying your knowledge to a situation) is essential to success. Good luck!

Mommy_RN1211 · May 7, 2014

If you are an engineer you probably studied by memorizing and applying to exams. Nursing exams is more about concept thinking. Our professor told us with every chapter ask youself "What does this have to do with the patient?" If you can answer this question with each concept you will be just fine. You have to rationalize each question and look for stems. Usually they are asking "What is the FIRST step the nurse would take?" or "What is the INITIAL action taken by the nurse?" This will help to look for the stems and eliminate answer choices from there! Good luck!

Kuriin, BSN, RN · May 7, 2014

The problem most students have when they enter nursing school is learning how to take a test in a completely different way. You can memorize all you want, but, you need to understand the concept. Another problem students have is that they overthink questions. What you see on the question is all you need to know. Do not think about situations that might have occurred at a clinical site; tests DO NOT matter. The test questions are located at Utopia General.

nursewr · May 8, 2014

Nursing school not hard? That's funny... Well I've seen people with many bachelors degrees fail fundamentals. Because a person has a degree in another concentration does not mean nursing will be easy. Critical thinking ,. Not memorization, and practicing nclex style questions is your best bet. Fundamentals is the easiest class you will ever take in nursing school.

Julesmama28 · May 8, 2014

I didn't say nursing school is easy! I just meant to say it really isn't rocket science. I have gotten all As and Bs in every class, without even reading the chapters most of the time. My secret? Just show up to class every time, do your best, ask questions, and don't overthink things! Apply the concepts to what you know. You'll do great!

Rn 1979 · May 8, 2014

I think nursing school is just different, I passed pharmacology easily but it was taught class but at least you can study for it and anticipate what would be the answer, in another hand I am worry about fundamentals because our teachers make those test questions and manipulate them they way they like and confuse us, there's no such a basic line to study for the questions might be about anything and everything with so many right answers and we have to pick the best answer, I really need help in how to answer these questions.

emde · May 8, 2014

English is not my first language either, I can tell you that I'm a good test taker. I'm never the first one to turn the test in (I'm usually within the last ones). I finish my test, then I review it all over again to make sure I read the questions well, and I always find things I have to correct. It has always worked for me.

Rn 1979 · May 9, 2014

Thats really a good tip thank you.