Thought I understood critical thinking.

[rn2b1]

I am in my first year of nursing school. I have 10+ years of hospital(tech) experience. In the beginning I thought that maybe this could benefit me. I really believe the only benefit is during clinicals. I am currently on a break and return at the end of August. My grades have dropped every semester and my confidence is at an all time low. I have studied many of the recommended test taking books and even the Saunder Comprehensive NCLEX study guide hoping to finally "get it". I know that my anxiety level increases which does not help any and by then I am reading way too much into the problem. I would sure appretiate any guidance.

[BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN]

What kind of hospital experience do you have?? That may be part of the problem, you might be thinking like a (fill in the blank) and not a nurse. In my experiences, everyone else in the hospital seems to think they could do a nurses job, but often don't realize that critical thinking component.

It took me years to learn how to critically think (no prior hosp experience prior to nursing). And now that I'm an intructor, I feel it is my duty to make students understand the importance of this. I try to impress upon them that you have to always look at the big picture (ie the whole patient), and ask yourself every time you are doing something 'why am I doing this, why am I giving this med, etc). I know it's very stressful to be in the student role, and having your instrucors ask you if you've done a,b, and c. But you must try not to think of it as accomplishing tasks.

If this is a more lecture-based problem, maybe you're having trouble understanding what the question is asking. I, myself would concentrate on trying to memorize things, rather than understand them. This did not help at exam time. I know it's easy for me to say this after 11 yrs, but you have to try to use a systems approach. Instead of memorizing signs and symptoms, think of the system that the disease effects. Go back to A&P. See how one system effects another. It's a rather difficult concept, but if you try that, it might work.

Good luck to use, use the brain God gave you, and get out there and be a good nurse!!!

[rn2b1]

What kind of hospital experience do you have?? That may be part of the problem, you might be thinking like a (fill in the blank) and not a nurse. In my experiences, everyone else in the hospital seems to think they could do a nurses job, but often don't realize that critical thinking component.

Thank you for replying, I have worked positions from admitting to unit sec and for the longest of my expeience is as a tech. I have worked Tele,L&D,NICU,mother-baby, and the Er.

Many of the nurses over the years have encouraged me to go back to school. I also realize that because of my role I am more task oriented. I think your last sentence hit home. I need to trust in God that he'll make it happen and just calm down during exam time... Thanks again.

[utahliz]

I think you're on to something with the NCLEX review books and realizing that you need to calm down. I have also found that a good night's sleep helps a lot. Staying up too late studying doesn't help me even though I know the material better, because I'm too tired the next day to think clearly. And so many of the test questions require you to be able to think clearly and calmly. I study the basics really well, and I practice NCLEX questions, textbook questions, anything I can get my hands on. During the exam, I skip over the questions I'm not sure of and come back to them later. Sometimes the 2nd or 3rd time I look at it, the right answer just pops out at me and I don't know why I didn't see it sooner! Best of luck to you.

[Sheri257]

It may be controversial to say this but ... quite frankly ... "critical thinking" is often a joke, at least in the context of test questions.

For one thing, it's highly subjective. Which means it really depends on what's going on inside that particular instructors' head, what their past clinical experience has been, etc. One instructor's version of critical thinking can be and usually is completely different than another instructor's.

I started doing better on tests once I viewed it as more of a game. What answer would this particular instructor want and how do I play this game to win ... instead of overanalyzing and "critically thinking" myself into the so-called "wrong" answer which, often, is highly subjective in and of itself.

It may be a sad commentary on the whole situation, but that's what's worked for me.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Critical thinking skills are developed over time AFTER you graduate. You won't be there for a while.

Be gentle with yourself. Nursing school is tough and demanding for everyone regardless of where they come from. Good luck!