Chabot College
Fall 2006
Course Outline for Nursing 80
CRITICAL THINKING AND TEST TAKING FOR NURSING
Catalog Description:
80 - Critical Thinking and Test Taking for Nursing
1/2 unit
Preparation for National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nursing (NCLEX-RN). Strategies for
successful test taking. Practice in taking multiple-choice tests with time limits. Application of critical
thinking and problem solving techniques in clinical situations. Prerequisites: completion of first year in
Nursing Program with a grade point average of “C” or better, and concurrent enrollment in the Nursing
program. Total 9 hours lecture.
Prerequisite Skills:
None
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:
1. identify five strategies for successful test taking;
2. describe four techniques which help the student select the correct answer in multiple-choice tests;
3. develop proficiency in taking computer-adapted tests;
4. apply critical thinking skills to clinical situations.
Course Content:
1. Test-taking strategies for NCLEX
2. Computerized testing on sample NCLEX questions
3. Critical thinking skills for the clinical area
Methods of Presentation:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Lecture/discussion
Audiovisuals
Clinical case studies
Computerized test-taking practice
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1. Typical Assignments
a. In-class critical thinking assignments
b. Assigned tests using Computerized Assessment tests
2. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
a. Class participation
b. Attend a minimum of 5 classes
c. Review and evaluate results of the Computerized Assessment test
d. Final examination
Textbook(s) (Typical):
Review for NCLEX-RN Exam with CD, by Silvestri, Saunders; 3rd edition, 2005.
Special Student Materials:
None
KC – [U:\kc’document\course outline\nurs80.doc]
New: September 2005