I have a nursing exam (HESI) this month for Fundamentals. Does anyone happen to know how to study for those dumb things? I have an account already with Elsevier Evolve. Any other suggestions?
When I was in nursing school (Dark Ages:lol, HESI wasn't even an inspiration or an idea. We completed school, scheduled the NCLEX, then sat for two 8-hour days in examination.
Rule of thumb: the dumbest answer is usually the right one.
When is your exam? I work with a young woman who recently finished RN school, so she would probably have some good ideas, but I won't see her until this weekend.
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...I was in the ASN prorgram for registered nursing, and studied/took both ATI and pre-NCLEX exams. This includes fundamentals of Nursing & Clinicals.
When it comes to these kinds of tests, you're required to pick the most correct answer. You can make your own online, flashcard-like exams, where you can constantly keep testing and retesting yourself to ingrain all of that knowledge into your memory.
Have you started Pharmacology?
I know. The class exams are also formatted like that. I hate how they wont simply ask a question without the scenarios and bs.
Exactly. If it's an accelerated class (a lot of crap crammed into a short period) it's brutal.
Just study like hell, and try to remember. If you think you have ADD/ADHD, try to get medicine. I say this from experience: it can be very difficult, so try to get as much of an advantage as you can. If part-time classes are an option, go for that; rather go slower, less stressful, and more successful than fast, furious, and stressed as hell... and failing.
What classes are you taking, currently?
Our process in Indiana (Ivy Tech/Inventrek Building) was different. They had only a few slots, and were under-funded, so they made us 300-400 students compete for the highest grades. There were only 40 slots. That's it. Out of those 40, 18 get to enter the ASN program, while the bottom 22 enter the LPN program. I got into the top 18/400. Not easy, not that great. All of us 40 were straight A's. First week, 6 of us dropped because of the pressure; this included a guy who had two Bachelor's from Purdue University and a 65-year-old retired English major from Purdue, who was simply not content to die of boredom. We were dropping like flies, because the people running the show were either too stupid or too insane to realize we couldn't keep up with the pace.
IF you can go part-time, DO IT.
I took Fundamentals, Pharmacology, Dosing Calc, Med terminology, and End of Life last semester. This semester, I'm only taking Med Surg (a 10 credit class) and Nutrition (3 cr). I hope like hell i do well in Med Surg or else my GPA will be screwed. I need it to remain high to keep one of my scholarships. As far as going part time, that's not an option. I have to take a minimal of 12hours to keep funding. This semester, I'm going to work no more than 15 hours a week so that I can keep my grades up. Not looking forward to this- never having time for anything but kids, school, and work. It starts this Thurs and Ends in May. I get tired just thinking about it. And clinicals will be either two 8 hour shifts or one 12 hour shift. I have to wait until Orientation to get my assignment. Thank christ it won't be another nursing home.
That's good. However, you need to make sure you remember much of what you've learned in the past, because Med-Surg 2, 3, etc will assume you do. Some people would pass their Med-Surg class with flying colors, forget it over the break, and then be screwed when Med-Surg 2 came next.
I had completed Nursing Fundamental and Clinicals (this was during the first part of our nursing term. We were also doing Clinical (drug) calculations, Med-Surg and Clinicals, ATI, Pharmacology, and Nrsg diagnoses (different from medical diagnoses). Did this 2.5 years ago. We were given the option to learn medical terminology as an elective, but we learned much of it already with Anatomy & Physiology 1 and 2.
Yeah, the GPA thing is tough. If you get below 3.5, you're out. Mine was 3.9 before my parents divorced because of my father becoming more and more abusive.
Crap, I forgot about the funding/hours thing. I had to do that, too, and it was a headache.
I took Medical-Surgical Clinicals.
Eve, buy gel soles. You're going to be on your feet 12+ hours. Your body will thank you. If you can, practice being on your feet more and more... to be prepared. Make sure you have all your supplies, like a stethescope and white shoes. If you can, try fish oil supplements and eating healthier, natural foods. I made the mistake of eating junk food, which makes you feel like crap, unable to focus, etc. There are teas by Yogi @ Wal-Mart that maybe you can try. Honey-Lavender Stress Relief WILL help, and it's natural. There are other natural teas that can help you get better quality sleep, and some that can increase your energy and focus.
Did you get your box of ATI books? If so, study ahead. We had to read 700+ pages every week, with 1-3 exams every week. Also, if you have got a pamphlet/book with clinical check-offs, STUDY AND PRACTICE THAT ASAP. You'll be better off knowing you can do the activities with ease ahead of time, rather than being given 2 tries in front of your instructor, and if you fail twice (miss one step), you're out.
Eve, did they require you to become a CNA first, or did you get your test/certification upon completing Fundamentals of Nursing? Also, you have to have a CPR license before clinicals, as well as your shots, like Hep B vaccine and tetanus shot.
SEEK OUT study groups if you think it will help. To survive during this period of time, you HAVE to block everything else out. STAY OFF of DP! Don't repeat MY mistake! I was on DP a lot during those classes, and put too much time and focus on other things, taking my eye off the ball. (Having untreated ADD/ADHD during those classes is hell).
Hey, I'm willing to share my experiences further if you want. If there's any way, you should try to work as a CNA first to become seasoned. My Pharmacology teacher told us that CNAs make the best "trial-by-fire" Nrsg students, in that we've already been in that environment. Make sure you remember all of your meds, because it's damned important. Find a friend or family member to practice your Clinical skills on, too.
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