Since my last post that I quit.... here I am; please help!

FocusRN · Jun 24, 2009

-Take a practice exam first. See where you are weak, and start studying in your weakest area.

-Don't study for more than 40 minutes at a time. Have like 4 - 40 minute study sessions daily.

-Write you own mini notes

-Make flashcards for things that need to be memorized i.e. lab values, definitions, ect.

-When you have a study session, read for maybe 20 minutes, and then go back to the begining and re-read it.

-When you are taking a break in between sessions (the break should be about 2 hours), discuss with yourself, what you just studied. It will really help you make mental connections, that don't crack under pressure.

-Create your own things to know list, of one line notes about a varies things, bring this with you when you go to the testing center (not inside of course), but just run over them outside in the car. This will help to freshen your memory a bit.

That's all I can think of now.

anurse2b · Jun 25, 2009

wow!! thanks your advise is not only helping lisa1980 it will probably help many. i also felt like giving up after failing hd 1. im working on hd 2 but not feeling confident, not sure if i'm studying the right way. thanks again lots of helpful tips. god bless

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jun 25, 2009

Lisa, what are you using to study? Notes? Textbooks?

NC Girl BSN · Jun 25, 2009

I strongly suggest that if your taking shortcuts by using the studynotes only then you need to buy the recommended books. I also used some of the college network modules that I bought off ebay as a supplemental. I took handwritten notes on each area and followed the content guide. Glad to see your back in the game. Reorganize and don't give up.

rnlately · Jun 25, 2009

Like NC said buy the books if you don't have them already even if the are a few editions behind. Some people say they are able to take the exams and pass using only notes and if it works for them; then fine. However, I prefer to read the chapters, see which concepts that I easily grasp and then focus mainly on the subject areas that are giving me the most problems. For instance on NC 4 the subject areas were abnormal cell growth, respiratory, cardio, and congenital. I work in an oncology clinic full time so abnormal cell growth came easy for me (I actually just did a brief sweep of those chapters). Respiratory wasn't so difficult for me either so I spent the bulk of my time studying the cardio, and congenital areas. I hope what I've said makes sense. Draw info from your work experiences and prior schooling to jog your memory. I know you have it in you. Go for it.

mskelr · Jun 25, 2009

Have you tried Study Group 101. They were very helpful even have some examples of practice tests. See if you can get the books from the library through interlibrary loan.

MauraRN · Jun 25, 2009

I took each EC study guide and began a notebook for each. Put the study guide in the 3 ring notebook and divided that into sections, ie, cardiac, resp, congenital, etc. Read each section, made notes on the parts that I knew I had to look at a little more. Read the corresponding chapter in my med-surg book, jotted down pertinent info in my notebook. Look online at some youtube videos that matched content, ie cardiac assess, resp assess. L&D assess, the visual learning helped coalesce the printed learning for me. Focus each area of care this way: ABC; airway breathing circulation; if the answer offers choices like this and you don't know the answer, airway will almost always be the correct answer. Nursing care plans: ADPIE; assess, data,diagnose, planning, intervention, evaluation. If the question asks for a priority nursing care plan, use ADPIE. Maslow's Hierarchy: Physiological needs take priority over love, belonging, self-actualization.

So in summary, use the ABC's, Nursing Process and Maslow and you can really zoom in on the answer.

GOOD LUCK AND KEEP POSTING AND LOOKING FOR COMMENTS ON THIS THREAD, MOST OF US HAVE HAD A FAILURE OR 2 IN THIS PROGRAM.

MAUREEN, GN

Lisa1980 · Jun 25, 2009

Thank You all,

Just an update I went on amazon and on ebay and bought two books for real cheap, only cost 10 for the two. I bought them one addition earlier than the recommended but i figured it will cover what i need to study. I can't afford the full price on the new editions. I am having a hard time finding the Medical-Surg book at a price I can afford.

When I studied before I did the notes and didn't fully read everything. I know now that was the wrong way for me. I really want the right material to study so that i can pass and acquire the knowledge.

MauraRN · Jun 25, 2009

I have already given away my Phipps. My opinion only; a Kozier Fundamentals is more important if you can only afford one. I used an earlier edition and just checked Chapter titles against EC study guide chapter titles. Do the same with Wong for Pediatrics the chapters change order but not content. Follow the EC study guides closely, they are not messing with your head like the old sadists of brick and mortar nursing schools do, the study guides use questions from previous exams.

qtgirl4u04 · Jun 26, 2009

Please do not give up let me tell you about me, first I took exam one and passed then exam 2 and failed twice, the I went to exam 3 and failed. At this point I felt that I was the dumpmist person in the world, but the truth is that you have to learn how to self study. I used the cd's on ebay and the exam question that you pay for through excelsior. After passing these exam I failed the cpne twice and just passed last weekend. Keep your head up and relearn how to study.

Raggedy Ann · Jun 27, 2009

Lisa, Welcome back! Great recommendations from all of the above posters. I can't add anything, but YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE THIS THING HAPPEN !!! Best of luck to you and best wishes! Traci