The Conjuring

12 Must Read Guidelines for Effective Nurse Test-Taking Skills
It is of a fact that reviews are just a way of enhancing your knowledge and confidence for the NLE. Remember that you are knowledgeable regarding the nursing concepts and you’ve spent 4 years learning about them. But these knowledge would be futile if you yourself cannot apply effective test taking skills.
Few researches have shown that examiners who fully understand test construction and who become familiar with appropriate test-taking strategies score higher than others with similar knowledge but with inadequate test-taking skills (TTS).
Remember that multiple choice tests are different from tests such as essays, identifications and true/false.
In multiple choice exams, the question is called the stem. The stem is followed by four alternative answers. One answer is correct, and the other three are called distractors because they distract your attention from identifying the correct answer.
It is important to note that these distractors are not necessarily incorrect answers but rather they may not be as correct as as the one you are required to choose.
The following are guidelines that will help you be better prepared during your examinations.
1 Do not read extra meaning into the question
Tests questions are made to be direct and to the point. The question asks for one particular response and you should not read or add other information into the question.
Often you will find questions that require “common sense” answers and that reading into these questions may give you an other interpretation. You should not search for subtle meaning about the questions or answers.
Ask yourself “What is the question asking?”. Look for keywords and phrases to help you understand. Interpret the question correctly first before reading into the choices.
2 Understand exactly what the stem is asking before considering the distractors
Make sure you read the stem correctly. Notice particularly the way the question is phrase. Is it asking for the best response or the initial response? Understand what the question is asking.
3 Rephrase the question in your own words
This technique requires you to interpret or translate the question into your own words so that it is very clear in your own mind. Rephrasing the stem of the question can assist your read the question correctly and in turn choose the appropriate response.
Placing the question into your own words would help you in removing extraneous data and get into the core of the stem.
4 When analyzing the distractors, isolate what is important in the answer alternatives from what is not important relative to the question.
In a good test construction, all of the distractors should be feasible and reasonable and should apply directly to the stem. There should be a commonality in all of the distractors.
Also, all of the distractors may be correct but not the right chose for the specific question that is being asked. The technique here is to ask yourself whether each possible alternative is true or false in relation to the stem.
5 After choosing the correct answer alternative and separting it form the distractors, go back to the stem and make sure your choice does, in fact, answer the question.
Many test-takers fail to recheck the answer with the stem, and they answer the question incorrectly.
An effective strategy is to judge all four alternative choices against the stem and not against one another.Read the stem, then check alternative 1 against the stem, then check alternative 2 against the stem and so on. This process will eliminate choosing an alternative that does not fit with the question.
6 When a question contains multiple variables as alternative choices, use the “elimination of variable” technique.
Each question may pose different alternatives with several variables. Use the process of elimination. Study the question first and ask yourself what variable fits with this condition, or after examining the distractors underline the symptom that you know is correct. Now ask yourself what variable is not present with this condition. Again examine the distractors and cross out those variables that are incorrect. By this process your probably eliminated at least two distractors even without taking the time to consider the other two.
7 When answering a difficult question, utilize your body of knowledge.
When you come across a difficult question and you cannot immediately identify the answer, go back to your body of knowledge and draw all the information that you do know about the condition.
If you are unfamiliar with the disease or disorder and cannot choose the right nursing action, try to generalize to other situations. For example, if the question asks about dog bites, and you’ve never learned the course of the disorder, go back to an area of k nowledge that you do know, for example, circulation and body response to toxic substances.
Even though you do not know exactly what to d, you might know what not to do. Eliminate distractors to increase your chances of arriving at the correct answer.
8 The ability to guess correctly is both a skill and an art.
The board exams is not a “right minus wrong” type. It is important for you to answer every question even if you have to guess. Guessing gives you only a 25% chance of getting the correct answer. 1. Try to eliminate at least one (or more) distractors as this will increase the percentage margin of chance for guessing correctly. 2. Examine the distractors and if one is the exact opposite of another (e.g. complete bed rest is different from activity as tolerated; both cannot be correct since they are of opposites), choose the one that seems to be most logical. 3. Try to identify the underlying principle that supports the question. If you can answer the question, you might then be able to guess the correct answer. This strategy is especially true with a psychosocial question. 4. Look at the way the alternatives are presented. Are there two answers that are very close? often when this occurs, the ability to discriminate will show evidence of judgement. Check to see if one, more than the other, is the best choice for the question. 5. Are there distractors that are presented not logical (which are correct in themselves but do not have anything to do with the question)? Eliminate these and focus on other alternatives. 6. Use your intuition. If you cannot choose an alternative from a logical point, allow yourself to feel which one might be right. Often your subconscious mind will choose correctly (based on all the conscious knowledge you have of course) so simply let yourself feel which alternative might be right. Remember, its better to choose one answer than none at all.
9 Choosing answer from a hunch
There comes a time when you are faced with a certain question and you have a hunch that this particular choice is correct. Do we depend on this “hunch?”. Current studies supports that hunches are often correct, for they are based on rapid subconscious connections in the brain.
Your stored knowledge, recall, and experience can combine to assist you in arriving at the correct answer. So, if you have an initial hunch, go with it! Do not chance the answer if and only if, upon reflection, it just doesn’t seem right. On the other hand, if later in the test you find relevant information or make new connection of information and you feel that your answer was incorrect, do go back and change it.
10 Choosing the best answer from a strategy point-of-view.
Frequently, the most comprehensive answer is the best choice (Longest the best!). For example, if two alternatives seems reasonable but one answer includes the other (i.e., it is more detailed, more comprehensive), then this answer would be the best choice. If an answer focuses on medical knowledge, be wary, for this laternative might be just a good distractor. Remember, this is a nursing test and questions are designed to thest your nursing compentency and safety.
It is unlikely that a question would require a meidcal action for the correct answer; it may, however offer these actions as distractors.
Beware of answers that contain specific qualifiers, such as “always’ and “never”. they rarely fit within a logical framework.
11 Time Management is important
Time allotment for each question in the NLE is 2hours/100 questions is equal to 1.2 minutes. It is important to use your time wisely and program yourself not to spend too much time on one question. Since your are not penalized for incorrect answers, it is important to finish each portion of the test.
Prepare yourself to practice time management by timing yourself for each question during your sample exams.
12Let the Divine Intervention Intervene
If you cannot answer the question. Have faith in the Lord and thus you’ll be confident to answer each question. If you do not know, He knows. Ask for God’s help! Remember, you are doing this for His glory!
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Reference:
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Smith S. (1989). Review questions for NCLEX-RN 5th Edition.

Collection of the Most Beautiful Prayers for Nurses
We nurses have our spiritual needs too! What else is a better way to start your shift than to be inspired, motivated and directed with a prayer?
This post contains various nursing prayers that you would want to print, keep, or memorize.
Stay inspired!
A nurses’ prayer
Give me strength and wisdom,
When others need my touch;
A soothing word to speak to them,
Their hearts yearn for so much.
Give me joy and laughter,
To lift a weary soul;
Pour in me compassion,
To make the broken whole.
Give me gentle, healing hands,
For those left in my care;
A blessing to those who need me,
This is a Nurse’s prayer.
Prayer Before the Examination
Dear God
Today I will take my examination which is so important to me
Though I am nervous.Im not afraid
Because I know that as I write my answers
It is your hands that work
And now,As I take this examination
Please enlighten my mind to able to answer correctly and to recall everything that I have studied.
I will do my best in this exam and to you God
I will entrust my fate
I know that whatever will be the result, it is according to your will.
You have watched me
As I worked hard to study for this exam
Although I dont feel very confident
And that I dont know if I am prepared
I truly believe that you would give me what I deserve
I deserve to pass this exam,God.
I am happy that today you are with me
For with you I will win this battle
And as I close my eyes and feel your presence
In this examination room
You put confidence to my heart
Amen.
Nurses’ Prayer
Dear Lord, please give me strength,
To face the day ahead.
Dear Lord, please give me courage,
As I approach each hurting bed.
Dear Lord, please give me wisdom
With every word I speak.
Dear Lord, please give me patience,
As I comfort the sick and weak.
Dear Lord, Please give me assurance,
As the day slips into night.
That I have done the best I can,
That I have done what’s right.
Nurses’ Prayer
As I care for my patients today
Be there with me, Oh Lord, I pray.
Make my words kind – it means so much.
And in my hands place your healing touch.
Let your love shine through all that I do,
So those in need may hear and feel You.
Dedicated Nurse’s Prayer
I pray I do my part to lift each downcast spirit and to soothe each heavy heart.
May my touch being reassurance.
May my voice be soothing too,
May my gentle care remind them
Of the love they have in You.
A Nurse’s Prayer
Long before you entered nursing
The Lord had played His part,
Planting seeds of love and kindness
In the portals of your heart.
For it’s clear that you’ve been gifted
With a sympathetic ear,
And blessed from the beginning
With a willingness to cheer.
And the people who you care for
Are better off by far,
When they’re touched by your compassion,
By the person that you are.
For in times of woe and worry
When they’re frightened or they’re blue,
No one could be more consoling than the friend they’ll find in you
God’s Angels
Dear Lord, thou Great Healer. May they great strength and power flow through me and lend skill to my hands and vision. Judgment to my mind and Compassion to my heart. Grant me the strength to minister to my Patients in their hour of suffering and travail. Make me worthy, Oh Lord, of this saintly task. And may I faithfully discharge my duties in Deep humility, worthy of the trust and faith placed in me. Amen
Being a Nurse
Being a NURSE means……
You will never be bored.
You will always be frustrated.
You will be surrounded by challenges.
So much to do and so little time.
You will carry immense responsibility and very little authority.
You will step into people’s lives and you will make a difference.
Some will bless you. Some will curse you.
You will see people at their worst-and at their best
You will never cease to be amazed at people’s capacity for love, courage, and endurance.
You will see life begin-and end.
You will experience resounding triumphs and devastating failures.
You will cry a lot. You will laugh a lot.
You will laugh a lot.
You will know what it is to be human and to be humane.
Melodie Chenevert, RN
Source: http://mrmom.amaonline.com/special/anurse.htm

5 Must Read Communication Principles Before You Take the Board Exams

1 RESPONSES THE FOCUS ON THE CLIENT’S FEELINGS Most clients at some time find it difficult to express their feelings whether they have a terminal illness, being pregnant or is scheduled for surgery. WHAT TO REMEMBER. Any nursing response that elicits, these feelings would be therapeutic and listen and attend to those client cues. When it seems as if a client would like to discuss fears, concerns, angry feelings, then encourage their expression.
2 RESPONSES THAT ARE HONEST AND DIRECT It is important that the nurse be honest with her responses to encourage trust and build a therapeutic relationship. Dishonesty will never support rust and a firm relationship.
3 RESPONSES THAT INVOLVE ACTIVE LISTENING Encouraging clients to talk through verbal and nonverbal techniques is supportive and serves to further the relationship.
4 RESPONSES THAT INDICATE ACCEPTANCE OF THE CLIENT Accept the client where and how he is regadless of his condition or verbalizations. In fact, you would never reject the client even if you could not condone or accept his behavior. 5 RESPONSES THAT PICK UP OR RELATED TO THE CLIENT’S CUES Responding to an important cue is essential therapeutic technique if the nurse is to focus on the client and maintain a goal-focused interaction.