NurseReview.Org - Study Skills and Test Strategies for the New Nursing Student

Study Skills and Test Strategies for the New Nursing Student BY Caralee Bromme, RN, MSN, CCRN

How learners learn...
Tell me and I will forget
Show me and I will remember
Involve me and I will understand
(Confucius)

Critical thinking
Critical thinking is the cornerstone of one's ability to function in today's society. According to Scriven & Paul (n.d.) ,
it...can be seen as having two components:
a set of skills to process and generate information and beliefs, and
the habit, based on intellectual commitment, of using those skills to guide behavior.
( Scriven & Paul, nd: http://www.criticalthinking.org/University/univclass/Defining.html )

Critical Thinking
Critical thinking is a mental process that uses elements of reasoning to shape choices and make sound judgements.
A good question is never answered. It is not a bolt to be Tightened into place But seed to be planted And bear more seed... Towards the hope of greening The landscape of ideas (John Ciardi)

Types of Learners
Right Brain
Artistic perception
Creativity
Intuitive thinking
Music and rhythm
Imagination and abstraction
Daydreaming
Reflection
Random thinking
Left Brain
Language and word use
Logic, reasoning & analysis
Rational thinking
Sequence and order

Learning Styles
Visual
Auditory
Kinesthetic
Global
Detail learning

Visual
Seeing is believing
Learn best by watching or reading
Resources available
Books
Demonstrations
Handouts
Internet resources
Personal notes
Periodicals
Videos

Auditory
Sounds like…..
You tune into the things you hear
Discussions with others
Lectures
Question and answer sessions
Reading procedures aloud
Study groups
Tape recordings

Kinesthetic
Can do…
If you prefer to jump right in and do something new... your motto “ Learn by doing”
Attend workshops
Give return demonstrations
Participate in individual or group projects
Take part in special or extra activities
Volunteer

Global Learning
The big picture…
Find the answer by looking at the big picture
Sweeping theories and over all trends fill your vision
Like to find the conclusion after considering all the options
Write summaries of your notes
Use diagrams to show relationships
Develop question lists

Detail Thinking
You follow instructions closely and follow logical orders and you like the teacher who follows the lessons plan closely
Create bullet summary lists from class notes
Use diagrams to connect specific ideas to larger concepts
Make specific to do lists before beginning study sessions
Write questions as they appear in the reading
Be prepared to illustrate specific details with examples

The Learning Process Evaluation Synthesis Analysis Application Comprehension Knowledge Bloom’s Learning Level (1956)

Bloom’s Learning Levels
Knowledge stage of critical thinking
Requires memorization for recall
Math formulas
Phone numbers
Comprehension
Involves converting information from the form received to your own words
Making illustrations
Describing relationships

Application
You apply the information you have gained, translated or interpreted to solve problems or accomplish concrete tasks
Completing a project by following directions
Using a theory or formula to solve a problem
Analysis
You break down the concept into parts and understand how they work
Identify assumptions
Decide if data valid

Synthesis
You can put parts together and find a new and larger whole
Developing your notes into presentation
Writing a poem or story
Evaluation
Most complex level of cognitive functioning
You use all the stages to determine the value and relevance of the information
Springhouse 2000

The Nursing Process Evaluation Implementation Planning Analysis Assessment

Now critical thinking and the nursing process..
Assessment
Collect data, communicate information about assessments
Analysis/ Nursing Diagnosis
Clustering and interpreting data, identifying and communicating nursing diagnosis
Planning
Identifying goals, projecting outcomes, setting priorities, identifying interventions
Implementation
Implementing nursing care
Evaluation
Identifying patient responses, comparing outcomes to goals, modifying plan of care.
“ This is process of how we think about patients”
Now let’s apply the same process to tests

The next step - Setting the stage…
An action plan gives you control over your immediate future. It helps reduce stress, anxiety, frustration, and unnecessary use of time and energy. If you don’t have a plan, you jeopardize your chance to succeed and increase your chance for failure.
A winner has a plan!
A loser has an excuse!
(Sides and Korchek)

The keys for success
Develop the winning attitude
Identify motivators
Set short term and long term goals
Use time management
Reward yourself

Time management Self Significant Other/ Spouse Kids School Work House How do you handle it all? Studying Laundry Clinical

Setting the stage...
Make a consistent space for yourself to study
Insure adequate lighting, and quietness
Have all your supplies
Schedule your time
Do Not Disturb Until 5:00pm

Time management
Schedule your time
To study
For kids/ husband
For house
Develop weekly calendar
Set priorities
Make to do lists
Don’t procrastinate
8am class 10am study group 3pm baseball 6pm date w/ husband Test on Friday Culture project Due 3 weeks Care study due 5 weeks get patient

Breaking the procrastination habit
Identify your motivators
Make a list of self motivating statements
Recognize that negative predictions do come true
Set your goals
Establish a clear timetable
Break down large tasks to small ones
Pinpoint where your delay s typically start
Write reminders
Reward yourself
Also give up something if you fail

It’s time to study …
What is an objective?
Objectives are tools for describing the intended outcomes
Performance
What your supposed to do...
Conditions
How your to do it...
Criterion
How well you have to perform to be competent ...

An example of an objective
After listening to the lecture , the student will be able to
List in writing the three parts of an objective .
Identify why objectives are important.
Analyze the importance of objectives in future study.
Nursing courses are based
on objectives

Study strategies for the classroom
Be prepared
Read objectives
Look at and read section headings
Look at all charts or illustrations and read captions
Skim main text to identify main concepts
Look at words in bold or Italics
The goal is to gain the general idea
During class pay attention to
Contents of handouts
Anything written on board
Instructor’s response to certain questions
Anything instructor stresses or repeats
How instructor presents the information
Big picture or details
In the beginning and the end of the lecture, the instructor often summarizes the major points and other points there wasn’t time to cover

The lecture notes….
Taking notes may be the most crucial part of active listening during a lecture.
Notes trigger you memory
It makes you pay attention to new ideas
Will allow you to show your understanding by paraphrasing and condensing the notes

Test taking strategies
Outline your notes to each disease
With info from lecture and book
Pathophysiology of disease/ system
Signs and symptoms (including labs)
Highlight special S&S
such as RLQ pain for appy
Nursing Diagnosis
Goals
Specific Implementation plans
Patient teaching

Ideas on lecture notes
Shrthnd spds note tkng
Abbreviate common words
Leave out conjunctures and other words not essential for thought
Think before you write
Mark for emphasis
Vary handwriting to stay organized
Don’t write every word the lecture says...
After class organize you notes
Keep them personal
Copy all board work
Rewrite notes if illegible
Keep notes in loose leaf binder
Leave spaces to later ideas
Organize your notes after class

The LISAN Method
L ead , don’t follow. Anticipate what the instructor is going to say.
I deas. What’s the main idea?
S ignal Words. Listen for words that tell you the direction the instructor is taking.
A ctively listen. Ask questions, be prepared.
N ote taking. Write down key points. Be selective.

The study group
Set location and time
Have agenda
Everyone must follow the rules
Do their share
Be courteous
Attend regularly
Can be a great source of moral support

It’s test time…
Before the test..
Get a good night sleep
Eat before the test
Create a study plan
Plan ahead; schedule study time . Don’t cram.
Assemble your sources. Review your material.
Make your own cheat/ summary sheet
Dress rehearse.

At the test…
Take one last, leisurely look at your summary sheet
Be early
Have all your supplies
Let the instructions instruct
Mark important instructions
Skim the test for an overall sense and difficulty
Budget your time
Work quickly
If you can’t answer the question right away move to the next question

The Objective Test
Types
Multiple choice
True/ false
Short- answer
Sentence - completion
Problem solving
Only one possible answer
Tests your ability to recall information.

Three parts of a question are
The background statement
Is a brief scenario that provided necessary information for answering the question
May provide a framework for the stem
A stem
Contains the specific problem or intent of the item
And a list of options
Are the possible answers to the questions
The corrected answered is a keyed response and the other options are distracters .
The Test Question Test A. B. C.

Types of questions
Knowledge
Recall or remembered information
Comprehension questions
Need to understand the information
Application Questions
Show, solve, use or manipulate information
Analysis
Interpret data, recognize commonalties, differences, interrelationships among presented ideas

The Stem
Three forms of a stem in a question
Background statement
A young woman arrived to the hospital in early labor.
Stem in question form
Which of the following signs is the best indicator of early labor ?
Stem form in an incomplete statement
The best indicator that labor is progressing is...

Answering the question...
Read the question before looking at the options.
Identify key words in the stem
All of the following behaviors are typical of a 3 year old except
The word except directs you to behaviors not typical
If you miss the word , you will select the wrong answer
Look for key words
First , primary, initial, early, ,most important, except
Haste makes waste and errors

Prioritization
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Biological
Safety
Belonging and love
Esteem needs
Self actualization

If you have to guess think physiological needs first…
Think..
Airway
Breathing
Circulation
Disability
Safety second
Communication
Also do not forget the nursing process

The options…
Attempt to answer the question without looking at the responses. Identify your response in the options.
Eliminate the obviously incorrect responses first; The select the best of the remaining options.
Do not change answers without good reason or sound rational.

Next...
Identify the theme of the item and base it on the information given.
Don’t assume information that is not given.
A husband was admitted to the ER for Delirium tremors for the third time in 3 weeks, the wife asks you what can I do to to help my husband get over the problem?
a.Don’t feel guilty; I know this must be difficult for you
b.Let’s go in to the lounge; so we can talk about your concerns.
c.You need to convince him to seek professional help.
d. How long has you husband been drinking?

The client has a red, raised skin rash. During the bath, the priority action of the nurse is to:
a. Assess for further inflammatory reactions
b. Discuss the body-image problems created by the presence of the rash
c. Wash the skin thoroughly with hot water and soap
d. Moisturize the skin to prevent drying.

To promote respiratory function in the immobilized client, the nurse should:
Change the client’s position q4-8
Encourage deep breathing and coughing every hour
Use oxygen and nebulizer treatments regularly
Suction the client every hour

Other tips…
Responses that use absolute words, such as “ always ” or “ never ” are less likely to be correct than “ usually ” or “ probable ”.
Funny responses are usually wrong.
“ All of the above ” is usually correct.
“ None of the above ” is usually incorrect.
Watch for double negatives .
Look for grammatical clues
If stem ends in an; the answer should start with a vowel
The longest response is often the correct one
Look for verb associations.

To provide for the psychosocial needs of an immobilized client, an appropriate statement by the nurse is:
a. “The staff will limit your visitors so that you will not be bothered.”
b. “A roommate can be a real bother. You’d probably rather have a private room.”
c. “ Let’s discuss the routine to see if there are any changes we can make.”
d. “I think you should have your hair done and put on some make-up.”

More tips…
If all else falls answer B or C.
Do not hesitate to ask for clarification during the exam.
Be sure that you have the appropriate bubbles filled correctly.
Take time to check your work before handing in the answer sheet.

Other Objective Tests
True/ False Answers
Assesses recognition of material
If question only part true , than it’s false
Watch for key words
All, always, because
Generally, never
None, only, sometimes
usually
Short Answers
Break into 3 categories
Know w/o hesitation
Should be able to answer if you think about it
Have no idea
Answer the questions you know first than attack the rest

Essay tests
Read directions first
Read all the questions even if you only have to answer two. Jot down ideas about each.
Mark the time you estimate to complete each question.
Outline you answer
Write the answer
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

The Essay Question 5 Paragraph Format
1 - Introduction, in which you briefly outline the direction your argument is taking
2 - 1st point with at least 2 supporting facts
3- 2nd point with 2 supporting facts
4 - 3rd point with 2 supporting facts
Conclusion, which pulls together the 3 points into one final statement

Reading Comprehension Tests
Read the instructions first
Read the questions next
Read the passage and answer the questions
A. B. C.

Open Book Tests
De-emphasize memorization and encourages critical thinking
Ideas for success
Use table of contents and index.
Don’t copy from the book.
Use as many sources as allowed.
Use you note summary sheet, put as much info as possible on it.
Check your answers.

How can I avoid cramming?
It doesn’t work- the brain needs time to assimilate information
If you have to:
Outline the textbook
Read the objectives
Focus on chapter headings,summaries, highlighted words
First and last sentence of the paragraph
Read your notes, make flash card or summary sheet
Get at least 4 hour sleep
And review 1 hour before the test.

How to overcome test anxiety
Be prepared.
Worry about what is real.
Arrive early and get organized.
Don’t talk about the test with your classmates.
Read over the test and plan your approach.
If a question is unclear, don.t hesitate to clarify.
Try to relax. Take slow deep breaths.
Pay attention to he test and not everyone else in the room.
I can do this!!!

Pulling it all together...
Learning process
Study strategies
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit . (Aristotle)

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NurseReview.Org - Study Skills and Test Strategies for the New Nursing Student

by Nurse ReviewDotOrg on May 18, 2008

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