Brain Maps Will Save You

[NeoNatMom]

Hey, so this is coming from experiencing complete learning block for pharmacology in my first semester of nursing school.

My first unit exam was super easy. The style of questions were borderline the same way of learning for my science prereqs, mostly memorization. No biggie. So I made an A and thought to myself, now I know how difficult the rest of the semester will be so I can relax more. Boy was I wrong, lol.

I took my second unit exam, and from that point on, I was either borderline passing or failing completely. I was getting to the point were I was spending more time creating my study method, that by the time I could get around to reviewing it was the night before my exam. The time to either withdraw or continue was fast approaching, so I played it safe and dropped. I took my time off to experiment with different studying techniques. Nothing was really sinking in until I drew my first concept map for a class of medications, NSAIDs.

Middle/Main Idea Bubble:

This is where the basic general info for the class was. Anything these meds had in common was put in here. Things included were...

-Uses, mechanism of action, side effects/adverse reactions, Nursing process steps, interactions, pt teaching, et.

then I would extend out to make individual bubbles for each drug within that class that my instructor told me to learn. anything unique to that drug was in that drugs bubble, and nowhere else. That way it was easy on the eyes. I also added important lab values and small drawings by information to help me remember.

Once I reviewed these maps, I practiced NCLEX questions and took my exams. I made an A in that class.

This way to study can apply to anything in nursing, such as Med-surg. I highly recommend this study technique.

I hope this was helpful for some

NNM

[gailw1004]

love the idea! I use care maps (brain maps) for care needs in my clinical courses and students find them helpful. I never thouoght to expand them.

[RNEDKAT]

I like your idea. Concept maps are a very useful learning strategy. One of the LPN schools in Massachusetts is now using concept maps as their main strategy. I may use this focus for my capstone project. Thanks for your ideas.