SIGH*FAILING AVERAGE

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Hello all!

I am a nursing fundamentals student.

So currently i am 4 points away from a passing average. I failed my first 2 exams, and passed the next two. But not enough of a score to put me at a passing average.

My professor says I know you know you're stuff. She thinks my problem is over thinking questions. I also think I need to learn how to apply my knowledge better.

ANy suggestions on how to get that 95 i need on my next exam>???????:grumpy:

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Specializes in ED, Medicine, Case Management.

1) Work with a tutor. Your school should be able to point you to tutors who are available to help you out.

2) Search for practice NCLEX questions on the internet and do a lot of them. These questions will give you rationale for the correct answers (and often incorrect answers) and allow you to see where you may have some holes in both thought process and knowledge.

3) Read and answer questions exactly as presented. I see a lot of folks who add extra information to the question. Don't do that. Read the question thoroughly, read each option thoroughly. Pick the best answer. Again, practice questions will help you with that.

Good luck.

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

Good day:

Watch

Thank you.

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Good day:

Watch

Thank you.

THIS is terrific. She has a number of videos that could help a lot of the people who post here.

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

What helped me a lot in her videos was putting aside my eraser.

Also, for those with access to ATI...

  1. Log into ATI
  2. Click on the "My Products" Tab (immediate right of "Student Home" Tab)
  3. Click Tutorials
  4. Find "NurseLogic 2.0" and click the "+" under "Access Tutorial"
  5. Find "Testing and Remediation"
  6. Click on the ">" to Access the Module
  7. Click on Begin Lesson
  8. Find "+" next to "Test Taking Strategies" and click to expand the choices.
  9. Click on "Multiple Choice Strategies"
  10. Then listen to that one and all of the ones there, all of the ones in the "Using Priority Setting Frameworks", and all of the ones under "Mastering Alternate Format Items"

You may also want to listen to "Clinically Reading Test Items" as well.

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Specializes in OMFS, Dentistry.

I wish our program utilized ATI. I have heard a lot of great things about it. The day program gets to use it but unfortunately the evening doesn't. :madface:

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In all honesty, it isn't very likely that you're going to knock out a 95 on the final if you haven't even come close to that on previous exams. Not saying that it isn't possible and that you shouldn't try, but the odds just aren't in your favor.

Anyway. You need to learn how to answer NCLEX-style questions. It's a lot more than just "knowing your stuff".

1. As a previous commenter said, it's absolutely imperative to only answer exactly what the question is asking of you. Read the entire question carefully and figure out what it's asking before you even look at the answers. Is this a select all? Or maybe it wants to know which patient statement indicates a need for further teaching. Or what are you going to do now, after the physician has already been notified?

It's very easy to miss one word and get the question wrong because you didn't see the NOT.

2. Applying your knowledge is important, but you have to be able to apply it in the way that a nurse would. This usually includes Maslow. He's your best friend! Learn the hierarchy of needs and know it like the back of your hand. It has saved my butt on too many questions to count. Also, remember basic NCLEX rules: Safety is always a priority. If it isn't safety, it's airway. Think of your ABC's. Don't ever leave the patient. Don't ever just 'do nothing'. And my personal favorite; the answer is not usually "call the physician." Of course, there are exceptions to that but aren't there always in nursing? ;)

3. This is the one that always gets so many people. DO NOT SECOND GUESS YOURSELF! You have to be confident in yourself. (Remember, "you know your stuff." ;) ) Don't change your answers. The only time it's okay to do so is if you know for a fact that you just accidentally selected the wrong answer. Seriously. If you start second guessing you will more than likely change your answer from the right one to the wrong one. Trust your gut!

You have to learn how to take a nursing exam. Those that panic over them and don't do well have not learned how to take them correctly. They are testing you on so much more than just your basic knowledge. Get yourself an NCLEX book and start practicing questions until you can start seeing trends. Talk to your instructors and see if they have a nursing tutor that is available to you.

At the end of the day, you can cram info until you're blue in the face but if you don't know how to take a nursing exam, it won't do any good.

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