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)

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 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)

Critical thinking is a mental process that uses elements of reasoning to shape choices and make sound judgements.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bloom’s Learning Levels 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

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

Bloom’s Learning Levels 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

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

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)

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

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

Make a consistent space for yourself to study

Insure adequate lighting, and quietness

Have all your supplies

Schedule your time

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

Schedule your time

To study

For kids/ husband

For house

Develop weekly calendar

Set priorities

Make to do lists

Don’t procrastinate

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

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 ...

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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 .

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

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...

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

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

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

Prioritization

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Biological

Safety

Belonging and love

Esteem needs

Self actualization

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

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.

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?

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?

Test taking strategies 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.

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.

Test taking strategies 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

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.

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.

Test taking strategies 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.”

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

Read the instructions first

Read the questions next

Read the passage and answer the questions

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.

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.

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!!!

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.

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

Learning process

Study strategies

Test taking strategies