Study Techniques??

Nurses General Nursing

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I am in Mod 4 of LPN school, and it seems that I have no idea how to study anymore. I used to do quite well, but before it was mostly memorization, and now I am having trouble applying what Im learning to Critical Thinking.

I am looking for creative ideas to study for critical thinking testing, if anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated, as I dont know what else to do!

Thanks a lot!

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i know of two books about study strategies that you can purchase through amazon.com that may be of help to ya.

b's and a's in 30 days: strategies for better grades in college by

jensen, m.a

and

student success secrets

by [color=#003399]eric jensen

one of my professors recommended them,

i know it isn't a quick fix but they both get really good reviews maybe it will help. :idea:

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I struggled in my last semester of my LPN. I stufied, studied ,studied. I read my chapters at least twice. I used the disc that came with my book and studied that as well. Good luck.

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Do nclex questions....the more questions you do, the better you get.

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Specializes in Rehab, Infection, LTC.

When i was in college, I was in a study group. We bought 3 NCLEX study guides. The study guides were full of practice tests with each organ system and subject seperate so we could study specifically for what our exam was covering. as a group, we would read aloud the question and then discuss each multiple choice answer given. we discussed each possible answer to rule out impossible answers and pick the best one. not only did it improve our test taking but we learned alot that way.

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thanks a lot for all of these. I have been reading the material, and doing the CDs with the book. We were also issued an NCLEX book to study with, which is separated into systems, the book is great, but not always specific to exactly what we are supposed to be studying. I will check out those books recommended to me, maybe it will help me through after these few upcoming tests. I need a vacation! lol

thanks guys!

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Specializes in ICU,ICU stepdown, Private Duty.

I'm an RN who is back to school. Case studies do the trick. They may be long and boring but they actually help you ANALYZE what's going on and how well to FIX it. When I did my HESI and NCLEX couple years back, that's what I wasted myself with. Also, you may be stuck in one question but then remember a scenario you had covered while doing your case studies. BTW half price books is a must stop for students. I bought 2 of my guides there for about 7.50 each. Good luck.:)

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

see https://allnurses.com/forums/f50/looking-test-taking-stratagies-224581.html - looking for test taking strategies in the general nursing student discussion forum.

the basic strategy for answering critical thinking (application type) questions is as follows, you must:

  • know and consider the normal anatomy and physiology
  • know and consider abnormal anatomy for the disease in question
  • know and consider the resulting signs and symptoms when the disease occurs and how they proceed from mild to fatal - each sign and symptom can be related back to the pathophysiology of the disease
  • know and consider how the doctor diagnoses and treats the disease in question
  • know nursing interventions for the signs and symptoms you are being asked about
  • know the steps of the nursing process and what goes on in each of the steps and consider how they are affecting the question you are being asked
  • know the sequence of priorities of needs as per a guideline such as maslow's hierarchy of needs
  • know and consider the principles behind the actions being done - there are many kinds of principles: principles of nursing, principles of biology, principles of chemistry, principles of physics, etc.
  • read the stem of the question carefully and answer that because the test makers try to trip you up by distracting you with conflicting information they give you in the answer choices that sounds good but has no relationship to what the question is asking for
  • ask yourself "why" a patient is experiencing some sign or symptoms to get at the underlying problem. nursing like other disciplines treats the problem/signs and symptoms.

try your critical thinking on some of these questions:

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I'm an RN who is back to school. Case studies do the trick. They may be long and boring but they actually help you ANALYZE what's going on and how well to FIX it. When I did my HESI and NCLEX couple years back, that's what I wasted myself with. Also, you may be stuck in one question but then remember a scenario you had covered while doing your case studies. BTW half price books is a must stop for students. I bought 2 of my guides there for about 7.50 each. Good luck.:)

I agree with the case study approach. You have to look at all the facts.......which is hard at first, but as you get used to it, you learn what's important. That will make a difference in eventually taking the NCLEX, and also in your practice.

NCLEX questions are largely little case studies, and I second others who advise to answer tons of questions. There are several good study guides.... book, CD and even for PDA.

Have fun and good luck.:wink2:

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