Read one chapter didn't get a single question right

xxstarrynitesxx · Dec 24, 2017

While I hope to start nursing school in the fall, I have been doing my research on here, YouTube, and asking friends currently in the program (at varying stages) about those NCLEX style questions.

Nursing school is like nothing else you have experienced thus far in life. My friends said they could no longer simply just read the chapter. Since this is your reading prior to starting, so not feel discouraged! Look up strategies that others have used to pass this classes, read the rationales behind why the answers, buy an additional book just for practice questions, etc. One of my friends in particular said that she had to change up her study method for every exam!

Try to reach out to other students who took the class (or work with current students), take your own notes, etc. Don't give up before you truly begin.

OsceanSN2018 · Dec 24, 2017

Ha, no! Some people will tell you otherwise but no one really have the time to read chapter after chapter in nursing school. I wasted $700 on my first semester books and most if them is still in their plastic wrapping unopened. That's how sad it is. What helped me was reading the PowerPoints, doing A LOT of practice questions with rationales, and checking my knowledge in our ATI books that was a rough outline of the material and straight to the point.

Im not even going to buy the new required books for my next semester as it would just be another waste.

Also, I was the same as you before I started my program and I read the required chapters and I still didn't understand the material but, it's okay you will once you actually get taught the material and not have to read through all that fluff with no background knowledge.

FullGlass, BSN, MSN, NP · Dec 25, 2017

Ha, no! Some people will tell you otherwise but no one really have the time to read chapter after chapter in nursing school. I wasted $700 on my first semester books and most if them is still in their plastic wrapping unopened. That's how sad it is. What helped me was reading the PowerPoints, doing A LOT of practice questions with rationales, and checking my knowledge in our ATI books that was a rough outline of the material and straight to the point.
Im not even going to buy the new required books for my next semester as it would just be another waste.
Also, I was the same as you before I started my program and I read the required chapters and I still didn't understand the material but, it's okay you will once you actually get taught the material and not have to read through all that fluff with no background knowledge.

I would not go around giving this advice to everyone. At my nursing school, you could NOT pass the exams unless you read the book. The instructors were up front about this. There is no way Powerpoints can provide the same level of detail as a textbook. In addition, you can't go through life expecting to be spoon fed material via Powerpoint.

FullGlass, BSN, MSN, NP · Dec 25, 2017

To the OP: It is hard to give you an answer without more more information. Did you feel that you understood the material after you read it? When you saw the correct answers, did you understand why they were correct? You can go and talk to your professor and/or academic advisor.

My advice is to get a good NCLEX review book now. Read through the sections on general overview and strategy for answering NCLEX-type questions. Then, after you read your textbook/review lecture materials, then do practice questions from your NCLEX book on that topic. There are also many study materials online and on apps. Once school starts, get into a good study group and see if that helps. There is also an excellent FREE online course through Coursera: Learning How to Learn

In addition, there are numerous online resources to help you determine your learning style. Understanding your personal learning style can help you tailor your study methods. For example, you may find youtube videos helpful. Some people learn more when they draw pictures and diagrams, etc.

Good luck.