How smart are you?

onlyhope · Oct 23, 2006

I have BA in psychology and have gone on to an ABSN program. In my first degree I did a little bit better (just about straight A's, now i get a fair mix of A's and B's). I would say that nursing is not necessarily harder but its definately DIFFERENT. in many of my psychology classes it really was just about learning the material and regurgitating it for the tests. in nursing you have to learn the material and be able to apply it in so many different situations. I suggest buying a book on test taking strategies and nursing and ALWAYS remember Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs (trust me this will make sense once you are in school). The tests are tricky but i know that when i do well on a test i always feel like i have accomplished something. Also a good piece of advice i learned in my first semester C=RN.

FairyPrincess06 · Oct 24, 2006

I did not do well in high school, or my SAT's. I guess I did well enough in the NLN test prior to starting school, but I think the thing that helps most is the fact that you already had college courses. Everyone knows that good study skills are so important when you go to college and I did not apply myself in high school at all. I only did well at Nursing school after I almost failed. I had to learn to study while I was in nursing school, because I never did have good study habits in high school.
I would not say I was ever the brightest bulb in the bunch, but after I learned how to study and take notes in class, I felt nursing school was easy.

I feel like that could be me right now. What kinds of things did you do to get better at studying because I am having the hardest time studying anatomy?

Brand new RN · Nov 1, 2006

I feel like that could be me right now. What kinds of things did you do to get better at studying because I am having the hardest time studying anatomy?

I'm also taking anatomy as a pre-nursing student and managing an A. I'm maintaining that A because I do some things to make the information "stick". I'm taking the class online, with pages and pages of what would be the prof's lecture notes that I print out for each test...some tests cover as much as 70 pages or better. I re-write those notes (I have quite a notebook full) so that I remember better and then review my written notes just before an exam on the material.

Now, not everyone probably has to re-write the notes, but it works for me. Maybe it'll be something you can do too. If you're sitting in an anatomy class it's the equivalent of re-writing what the prof's lecture was.

Hope this information makes sense to you and helps in some way.

Deb

deleern · Nov 1, 2006

its all a matter of "gotta want it!!!. i did lpn in 3 semesters. planed a graduation and a wedding during that time as well as worked full time. i made a 3.5 i was a straight a student in high school. but went back as an older student. i looked at everything as a learning experience. i have not dwelled on the test scores.

i am in the rn program now and counting down to graduation. sill working full time and attending school. i would call this year a mental boot camp type of experience.

as others have said it a time management issue and knowing how you study and retain information. i have never regretted my decision to go back to school.

i am not brilliant nor a genius. i am driven… :twocents: its only about what you want!!!!!

NaomieRN · Nov 1, 2006

Since I was in grade school, science was always my favorite subject. I am in my first semester in nursing, so far, I made 93, 84, 98, 96 and 96 on my exams and quizzes with two more exams and one quiz. I would not say that I am a genuis, I am an A- student. I read about 15 hours a week on average. You do not have to be a genuis to be a nurse, you just have to want it real bad and do your best. Like my instructor said, when you go get a job, they are not going to ask you about your grades. As long you understand the materials and applying it in clinical. My first test I got an 84, because it was before I even started clinical. After 4 weeks of clinicals, I am doing better because I am able to connect the lecture and actually taking care of patients. Goood luck to you. If I can do it, you can too!!

shandsburnRN-CRNA · Aug 7, 2007

My highschool GPA was crap, truly (but 15 years ago). When I went to paramedic school (with an AS degree) I graduated top of my class. In nursing school my GPA was 3.5, when I finished my BSN it was 3.87 and I was just accepted to CRNA school. I think it matters more on the study habits you have developed and how bad you want what you are working for. The more you honestly want to be succesful the better you will do because you will put forth the effort.

CRNA school is going to be the hardest academic undertaking I have endured, but I plan to hit the ground running with full commitment so I have confindence I will be succesfull.

Good Luck to all on your goals.

banditrn · Aug 7, 2007

When I was young I was considered to be 'gifted' - and that's all I ever heard from teachers. Didn't like school, and couldn't wait to get out.

It was 15 years before I decided to go back to college - and it WAS hard for me at first, learning to study all over again, plus I had children and was working part-time. I think the wait was worth it - I appreciated what I was doing then.

My husband and I had very smart children, but we didn't do to them what my parents and teachers did to me. We encouraged them to follow the path that THEY chose.

FireStarterRN, BSN, RN · Aug 7, 2007

Nursing school is emotionally difficult for many, even if they are brainiacs. I was a top student but found the clinicals stressful and challenging because I was scared. I found the academic side of nursing school fairly easy. I went to school with others who were the opposite. They excelled in clinicals and struggled academically.

GadgetRN71, ASN, RN · Aug 8, 2007

When I was young, my parents were told by the school that I was very smart-however, I was one of those kids who didn't "work to their potential". I didn't get bad grades but they weren't as good as they could have been. I could kick myself now, but I figure things happen for a reason and some of the smartest girls in my class(went to an all girls school) never really went anywhere with their education. When I did start to take my education seriously, I did great. I think the fact that I had 12 years of Catholic school prepared me very well for NS. I work well under fear and am capable of adhering to a dress code!! :lol2:

ohmeowzer RN, RN · Aug 8, 2007

i worked my butt off in school and it wasn't easy. i thought it would be since i was a LPN for 20 years. i found out i wasn't as smart as thought i was. but i did graduate and pass boards.. 1st try .. and i am a RN .. but it was hard.. many times i went to bed so tired .. i didn't think you could be alive and still be that tired.

landonsles · Aug 8, 2007

I graduated #11 out of 550 people in high school. Would have graduated in the top 10 if I wouldn't have "slacked off" my last year.

I graduated nursing school with a 4.0, and was valedictorian. I thought nursing school was pretty easy. I didn't have to study too much---but, I know how to take tests and I can remember most things I read.

School & learning have always come easy for me...I sure feel for those who struggle. But you know, victory is sweeter when you have to work for it!

CRNI-ICU20 · Aug 8, 2007

I was pretty good in nursing school... NCLEX testing that year revealed that I was number two in the state of all the testers who sat....so I felt pretty proud of that....

I maintained a 4.0 throughout school....despite being a single mom of two rascally boys who were in active sports.....

I believe in the potential of all of us....we all can achieve more than we think, and I believe that the goals we strive for are already within us....we just have to reach down deep and dig for it....

Here's to diggin'!! crni