Study alot and cannot find away to get a better grade, help

[jjhutman]

I got 2 weeks and I'm done with med-surg and I start ccu in 3 weeks. The last three tests I've got C's on and I can understand why I cannot get over this hump. I know med-surg is hard but Ive always gotten A's or high B's. I know I was told that I studied to much and I believe I was and I pushed myself to live life a little more and study less and I still am getting C's. I re-write, study the book and notes and cant do anything to get over this. I even study the Saunders Nclex book too, for help??? I'm not a perfectionist, a B would be great. Any help? techniques?

[Scrubmouse RN]

When answering questions, rationalize all the choices. Don't just look for the right answer, find out why the other answers are wrong.

[jjhutman]

I totally agree with each of your responses. My problem is answering the NCLEX style questions. I do study alot and know the material but I just have problems applying it. thanks to all

[anonymousstudent]

I totally agree with each of your responses. My problem is answering the NCLEX style questions. I do study alot and know the material but I just have problems applying it. thanks to all

I have this problem too sometimes. I get tripped up over wording and miss questions that I really just shouldn't miss...things I could demonstrate or explain without any problem. One thing that helped me was to go over each of my exams with my teacher and look very closely at how the questions were worded that I missed. I found a lot of trends in these questions. My school is using an NCLEX style test bank for exams as well. Sometimes it's things like, "Which of the following statements should the nurse make." And 3 of the 4 answers are questions. So go for the statement! Honestly, I know that sounds crazy, but those simple things really helped me. Good luck!

[jjjoy, LPN]

Sometimes it's things like, "Which of the following statements should the nurse make." And 3 of the 4 answers are questions. So go for the statement!

They gotta make sure you have critical thinking skills, don't they? That's a sarcastic question. Really, it can sometimes be as simple as anonymousstudent notes. I know I had some instructors give incredibly confusing explanations as to why the other 3 choices were wrong based on content when the real cruz of the matter may have been something like the example above. Talk about crazy-making!

[css62]

my only comment would be to read every answer completely. a bunch in my class missed a question the other day because the answer read that we should wait 15 minutes and then retake the pulse. they missed it because the next thing to do really was retake the pulse but you only have to wait 2-3 minutes. sooo the correct "best" answer was actually the thing you do do after retaking the pulse. lol hope this helps you maybe see a possible problem.

[Hancock330]

If you are not reviewing your exams with an instructor to identify any trends in what you're missing, do that. If you haven't gone to disability services for an evaluation, do so. It may be that being able to take the tests in a quiet room by yourself rather than in a classroom with other students would help. If you think your problem might be test anxiety, talk with your primary care physician -- there are medications that can reduce your anxiety so you can remember what you know and apply it in the testing situation. Then there are the test-taking tips. Always really read the "stem" of the question and restate for yourself what you're being asked. There will often be distracting information in the question and if you let it influence your answer you'll miss the question. If possible, underline the words in the stem that tell you what you need to answer. Really read every single possible answer. Try to identify what makes the less right answer less right. Always and Never mean that it's the wrong answer. There is not one policy or procedure in nursing that I've been taught that I haven't seen or heard of being violated for excellent reasons. So, there are times when you DON'T observe the 5 rights before giving a medication -- for instance, in the middle of a resuscitation of a person brought to the emergency room without ID. If you are taking teacher made tests and you just have to guess -- choose the longest answer. Be careful regarding questions about delegation -- remember what was taught or was in the book rather than what you might have seen in clinical. And, like another person said, don't read too much into the question. If the question asks what the nurse (or you) would do first -- don't start thinking about who else might be in the room or whether it's day shift or night shift so this service or that might be available, or whether the patient is a young adult or an older adult -- answer just the question as it is written. Good luck. And always remember C=RN

[cbethp]

Don't give up! You can do it!

[CuriousMe]

I would LOVE to be able to record. I have no idea why they don't let you unless you can prove you are an auditory learner. Thats just what the school says. When I was in my other non-nursing classes you could record whatever you wanted. Its very strange. I didn't mean anything about anyone (having a learning difficulty, etc), I was just saying thats what my school does.

Being an auditory learner isn't a learning disability.....it's a learning style. Not something that falls under the ADA for accommodations.

To the OP: I second the poster who said to sit down with your Prof and go over the test questions you got wrong. Tell the Prof the thought process you used to come up with your answer, and maybe the Proff can help steer you in the right direction.

[giveface]

Take a deep breath and try not to blame yourself, that won't help. Focus on the goal. If your sitting down on a Saturday night and you're still not feeling comfortable with a chapter or a topic, what's the harm in reviewing it 13 times if need be? I personally find re-writing chapters in my own words as I'm studying in a well lit, quiet and comfortable place with no distractions is a sure bet. Don't take any distractions in the room with you that you do not need (i.e., laptop, cell phone).