Nursing school is tough, there’s just no doubt about it. It doesn’t matter what school you attend, or how smart you think you are studying for nursing classes is a whole different ball game. The key to having a successful nursing school outcome is reprogramming your mind to think like a nurse. While this may sound easy, in all actuality it is quite a lengthy and involved process which one must undergo. The essential thing to keep in mind is that nurses learn almost everything doctors learn except in just 2 years (or less) as opposed to the 8 years of medical school. If you’re just beginning nursing school then your first weeks reading assignments should be evidence of that. If you’re somewhere in the middle of your program you anticipate 500 pages of reading and are planning ahead. For those of us that are just finishing up we read through our whole break so we could focus on studying for the NCLEX and the rigid clinical assignments instead of reading for the last semester. Regardless of where you are in your program, if you’re struggling, as I have in the past, then this Ultimate Guide for Studying in Nursing School is for you.
The first and most important thing you can do for yourself as you enter nursing school is determine what kind of learner you are. There are a number of online inventories that can help you discover what type of learner you are. One free one is located at www.learning-styles-online.com/inventory/. Once you know what kind of learner you are, studying for nursing school will instantly become easier.
Regardless of your learning style one of the most important things to remember in nursing school is that teachers test from the book. Regardless of how inclusive the lectures may be you are responsible to know and apply any and all information included in your designated text books. For this reason I recommend that you read each and every word of your test that is assigned to you. I know this sounds like a huge chore, and it is, but understanding and being able to apply the information in a clinical setting is what nursing school is all about. This task is easier said than done however. I have a few helpful tips that have made sitting and reading more bearable for me. First, set aside a few hours a day when you’re awake and alert. Make sure you have a quiet place to study and good light. Try and eat a snack before you sit down and have a glass of something to drink near by so you don’t wander away half way through a chapter. Make sure you have a highlighter handy and some adhesive page markers so you can easily reference important material later to review for the test. Try and read for only 45 minutes each hour. Nursing books are so packed full of technical terms you’ll need a 15 minute break for your brain to reboot. Next, I have found it very productive to play a Deep Learning CD in the background. These CD’s are supposed to help you retain information better. I’ve used these kinds of CD’s throughout my entire college career and swear by them. After you have read for a few hours, go back and review the information that you have highlighted and see if you can remember it. If not, you will need to reread the section until you understand it. I have found it useful to have a Taber’s Medical Dictionary close by when I am reading. This way if the text doesn’t cover the topic in question where I can understand I have an accessible reference close by to help grasp the concept.
Another handy tip is to record each and every lecture you attend. This is especially essential you if you happen to be a verbal learner. I use tape because I can’t write quite as fast as my instructors talk and often don’t get important notes because of this. I have found that by taping I can go back and review the entire lecture on my own, take additional notes and stop the lecture as often as I need to in order to take notes on important items. This tip is truly a life saver, especially if you have a teacher who does test directly from his/her lectures.
Many books offer comprehensive study guides. While not the only material you will need to pass your exams, these books do offer a comprehensive summary of topics covered in each respective book. I have found these book invaluable throughout my nursing career and I imagine you will too. If money is tight, many school libraries have these books on hand to check out or you many be able to find them at your local library. If that fails look for them at online used text book sites for an often cheap alternative to paying full price.
Perhaps the most important and helpful information I have received from my instructors is this: You have to think like a nurse when testing. This means you are looking for the answer that gives your patient the best possible outcome. When you have 4 right answers for each question this is the tie breaker often times. Additionally, you want to know what is the first thing you will do for your patient if the patient presents with X. What are the definitive tests for this issue and what do the results mean. What could be possibly causing the problem and what other problems should you be looking for. Also important to remember is what you would do if you walk in and your patient is in distress. All nursing books have great boxes that give nursing tasks per diagnosis or diagnostic procedure. I advise you to know these boxes and understand when you should apply them.
With time, studying and patience you can pass all your nursing classes and the NCLEX and become a nurse in no time at all. The important thing to remember is simple. Study, study, and study some more.
