A & B students!!!

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I am about to start nursing school in the spring and would like to get the advice of some students (preferably A :bowingpur)

How do you go about studying? How many hours on average do you study a week? what kind of grades do you make? Please be very descriptive!

I know everyone is different but your advice would be greatly appreciated so I can be prepared!

Thanks :heartbeat

Basically, on Saturdays and Sundays, I work through the module for the upcoming week...I don't really read whole chapters.

I also look over the lab info for the upcoming week, and if it's a checkoff week, I try to get into the lab for a practice session over the weekend.

Clinical days, I write out the assessment guide/care plan/drug sheets afterwards and take another look at them the following day before turning them in.

If there's a test that week, I spend about 30 mins-1 hour/night looking over my notes and the powerpoints the teacher gave. I figure, if it's really important, it's sure to be in the powerpoints. And it usually is.

So far so good as far as grades go.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

I have a 3.5 and will graduate in May with a BSN. I sophmore and junior year is the worst in terms of studying-however, I still had a very good social life. Probably 5-10 hours studying and doing careplans etc./week. Senior year is a bunch of busy work...so far at least!! Haven't studied for a test yet and am getting a's!:heartbeat

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I would like to preempt this by saying the following......

It is one thing to make A's or B's in classes....it is QUITE another to UNDERSTAND and be able to apply those things in a clinical situation.

I have seen and have people in my class who make A's and make them very easily, but when it comes to clinicals they are nearly totally LOST.

You need the following, in my opinion to make it....

Common sense----this might sound like a fleeting statement but you will be surprised just how many people do not have much.....You NEED it to be a nurse

Book sense---- you need to be able to understand concepts of A&P, pathophysiology, Nursing theory, Nursing frameworks, Nursing Process and be able to APPLY those things in a clinical setting. It is one thing to read about how to insert a Foley, it is QUITE another to do it on a human.

People sense-----you need to be able to look beyond the disease and treat the person. you can't be the same person to all your patient's. You have to be able to flexible with your approach with patients.

Clinical sense----if it doesn't make "sense" it probably isn't right. Listen to your gut, even if you are "new". I haven't met a nurse yet you doesn't.

Finally

Having said that....I would rather have a nurse taking care of me that was a B nursing student but had all these other qualities than a nurse that was a A nursing student who has obvious issues in the other areas.

Having said that...I am an A student....who has and is working on the other qualities mentioned. I am an honor student and work very hard in all those areas. I don't think I am too good to clean up puke or poo, I help with other patients my nurse or CNA has, I get ice and water, get cool wash clothes, I talk to patients, I read and I study, I belong to a study group, I ask questions, I practice humbleness (although this may not sound like it), I KNOW that when I get out I will know just enough to make my patients safe and that my first year will be a year of change and learning for me.

So, reach for your A, but remember, your patient's won't know that you had an A, but what they will know is if you care, if you are confident, if you don't know something be honest. ALWAYS be kind to your CNA and Techs, they are the lifeline to the patients.

That is my advice.....GOOD LUCK

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