New Nursing Student.

[darnelle]

If any LPN/RNs could provide some advice to me that would be great. I recently started Year 1 (LPN) of the two year nursing program and I was wanting to know. How much do I REALLY need to spend studying. Because so far I have taken a couple of quizzes and they have only required me to look over the topics. Are exams the same way? Do they test concepts? I really want to do this I just want to know exactly how much to study.

Also when it comes to Pharmacology (which I start in March) what is the best way to study for that?

Also, any general tips and tricks to help me get through this year would be greatly appreciated.

[rrms]

Bump!!! I have the same questions!

[Alisonisayoshi, LVN]

I'm still a student, and I've found amount of time studying directly related to my educational background. I study less than many in my class (but I had taken anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and math through stats), but I still study quite a bit. About 6 or so hours a week. Yes they test concepts, and it builds on itself and on what you learn in the clinical setting.

For pharmacology, I make drug grids and fill in the important information. Nursing Considerations, adverse effects, what it does/is used for, dosing, important interactions. I use a supplementary Mosbeys book called pharmacology note cards, which helps me as well. I take note of common drugs I give in clinical even before we study them and learn them inside and out.

Don't just memorize in nursing school. You have to understand how to apply the ideas. Memorization doesn't give you that.