Seriously, I don't get it. I probably study longer (maybe not smarter) than most people. It's nothing for me to stay awake 24 hours at a time to study for something and it's typical for me to study one subject for about 4-5 hours each night (as the quarter progresses). I have a study group and we meet anywhere from 1-3 hours before our tests. This entire semester, I have teeter tottered between a B- and B, with some B+'s in the mix.
I have tried many, many techniques and nothing seems to raise [or lower] my grade. I'm just a steady 'B'.
Also, 84% is the minimum grade in all classes that we MUST have to move on to next semester.
I wouldn't mind the 'B' so much if it wasn't so close to the cutoff point.
Because NS is not about information recall, it's about critical thinking and learning how to be a really awesome test taker.
Most of us were good test takers, we were able to digest a large array of data and regurgitate it for exams, but, well, nursing exams are different.
We just did our nutrition ATI for example, yeah it was hard, but all those UL's and DRI's and so on that I tried to memorize were hardly to be seen, it was far more about if client A has condition B what food should the nurse advise him or her to "regulate". And it was about which of the following four correct answers if the question was simply what the nurse should do is really the right answer if the question is what should the nurse do first...
Like that...So that is why I and several other heretofore 4.0 students are getting mid to high B's and happy that we are. Our bottom is C+ though.
By the way, I agree about the NCLEX style questions. Take good notes in lecture, read the book actively, all that is important but for me, doing a crap ton of NCLEX style questions has been key to my high functioning mediocrity in NS.
See, we're all smart. We don't get accepted if we aren't. If we read and take good notes and absorb the information the recall will be there, but the NCLEX style questions are what train our minds to think in a way that gives us a good chance of being able to apply the recall data to the question appropriately. So, yes, I recommend doing them...a lot...and when you're wrong, read the rationales.
In fact read the rationales even when you're right. I don't know how many times I've gotten one right but would be hard pressed to put into words why the gut-check pointed me to it.
Honestly no matter how much or how little I study, I get at least a B on every test with a couple of As tossed in. I learned that in my first semester. Now I make sure I understand it and get a lot of sleep because I'm going to get a B anyway
It doesn't matter what I do, I'm getting a B. Nursing is my second degree and in my first degree I had a 4.0 GPA. When I started nursing school I read everything, attended every class, took notes, and studied diligently and got all B's. Then I got sick and was zonked out on meds for a whole week, didn't read, didn't go to class, and didn't study and this was a week before finals and I still got all B's. So now I don't bother with breaking my back. If I read, great. If not, I don't sweat it. I usually attend class but some days I'm just not in the mood. I try to understand the broad concepts, how the drugs work, and I always go out of my way to try tie in clinical with what we are learning in class that week...I try to put a face on the disease we are studying. And I'm still getting B's.
At my school we don't get the luxury of slow paper tests. Our tests are online and we only get 1 minute per question, even the multiple multiples (select all that apply) questions. So you barely get enough time to think through. You either know it or you don't.
I will say after reading the subject try practicing questions on the computer if its feasible. I had vast knowledge but when it comes to question, i was not able to pick the right one, so i did practiced the technique and how to get the right answer because after all it was the score that was important.
Only question i will ask you is nursing your real passion??? If not ,then that might also be the case.
Honestly no matter how much or how little I study, I get at least a B on every test with a couple of As tossed in. I learned that in my first semester. Now I make sure I understand it and get a lot of sleep because I'm going to get a B anyway
That's what seems to be happening with me. I can study all day, all night, for the same subject and I still come out with a B. I did an experiment; I did not study for two tests (one for each class) and I still came out with a B. I would never do that again--that was too stressful.
Only question i will ask you is nursing your real passion??? If not ,then that might also be the case.
Thank you for your advice, Ricky.
I don't believe that your question is relevant; only because if I didn't feel passionate about becoming a nurse, then I don't think I would care so much about my grades; especially, since I was an all A student prior to nursing school and I feel that grades CAN be a reflection of knowledge and effort (effort's not my problem).
Don't get me wrong, there are days when my family shows signs of mommy-deprivation, and seeing that puts a damper on my passion. And again, passion with anything will wax and wane, that's how it grows.
You are very much right. Change your strategy for solving questions and practice makes a man perfect. Study hard and practice. I am sure if you are making so much effort, you will get A's. Just try to figure out whats not working in getting A's. Be observant about yourself and work hard to achieve your goals.
I study for exams by taking practice NCLEX questions with rationale. Does your school have a program called NCLEX 4000 or something similar available to you? NCLEX 4000 is available for us, and it is a really good review tool. You can choose particular systems or categories and the particular amount of questions. You can take practice exams, or go in study mode which gives immediate feedback with rationale. Another tool I use is the Evolve website (the website from my textbooks) There are many review tools there, as well as review NCLEX style quizzes. I notice that often my instructor takes questions right out of those questions. Nursing exams are not about memorization, but rather critical thinking, application and synthesis of information learned. I hope that this helps you! Good Luck & Get some sleep!:)
Then I got sick and was zonked out on meds for a whole week, didn't read, didn't go to class, and didn't study and this was a week before finals and I still got all B's.
That was sort of my experience. That didn't mean I stopped studying or trying or learning, just that I organized my study time and methods very differently than for other classes.
We just did our nutrition ATI for example, yeah it was hard, but all those UL's and DRI's and so on that I tried to memorize were hardly to be seen, it was far more about if client A has condition B what food should the nurse advise him or her to "regulate". And it was about which of the following four correct answers if the question was simply what the nurse should do is really the right answer if the question is what should the nurse do first...
I really found it confusing when instructor or texts would go into physiology, pharmacology, etc on a rationale for the 'best' answer when it really came down something much simpler such as the question word was "assess" and three of the four answers were "doing" interventions.
Yeah, there is a clue: if the question has to do with priority or what should the nurse do first, and one of the answers begins "assess for", choose that one, otherwise, go ABC's and Maslow.
Anoetos, BSN, RN
738 Posts
Because NS is not about information recall, it's about critical thinking and learning how to be a really awesome test taker.
Most of us were good test takers, we were able to digest a large array of data and regurgitate it for exams, but, well, nursing exams are different.
We just did our nutrition ATI for example, yeah it was hard, but all those UL's and DRI's and so on that I tried to memorize were hardly to be seen, it was far more about if client A has condition B what food should the nurse advise him or her to "regulate". And it was about which of the following four correct answers if the question was simply what the nurse should do is really the right answer if the question is what should the nurse do first...
Like that...So that is why I and several other heretofore 4.0 students are getting mid to high B's and happy that we are. Our bottom is C+ though.