Dear Nursing Student with ADD what study strategies help w/memory ?

[Guest11/16/14]

More specifically how do you remember the huge amount of information we are required to remember?

When I study I literally read powerpoints out-loud over & over and OVER again, just so I can remember the information. I always understand the reasoning behind 95% of the information - memory is my problem though.

And are you an auditory/visual/writer/etc learner?

Any study tips you have are VERY appreciated!

Thank you all soon to be nurses:)

[ixchel]

To the person who asked how to organize notes -

Use ADPIE to organize, and type it out with colors and maybe even different fonts to emphasize important stuff. In case you haven't gotten that far in your studies yet, ADPIE is the nursing process, and every condition you discuss can be broken down this way. So on your one page study guides, make headings that say:

ASSESSMENT: What will you see when you assess this patient? What will they report? In other words, what are the signs and symptoms?

DIAGNOSIS: What nursing diagnoses will apply to this person? At first, finding applicable nursing diagnoses is genuinely a chore, but as you get more used to the nursing diagnosis handbook that your program recommends or requires, you will find your way through it. You may also have a section in the back of your book that breaks down typical diagnoses by condition.

PLANNING: In your care planning, this will be what you might put in your outcomes column. Look at the diagnoses in the book and look at what outcomes typically might be wanted to help someone with these diagnoses. If your professors give you powerpoints for their lectures, you may be able to get this information from their powerpoints. However, since you will need to get familiar with this stuff for your careplans anyway, I still recommend at least skimming this information in the book to take some loose notes. For instance, what outcome would you typically want for someone who has a risk for peripheral vascular dysfunction? You might see this on a lot. Once you get it in your brain, it will stay there, and future note taking wont require the level of detail as it will at first because you'll just remember it. Don't just consider physical stuff. Consider the psychosocial stuff. If someone has a new diagnosis of cancer, they might develop ineffective coping. What can be done about that?

INTERVENTION: What will the nurse do for each outcome you planned? What teaching can you deliver? What medications are typical for this condition?

EVALUATION: How will you know if what you have done has been successful? How will you know if it hasn't? If you have medications associated with this medication, what side effects can you look for? How do you know if things are getting better? Worse?

I can't give first-hand knowledge on ADHD and how to best study such a HUGE amount of information, but I can tell you my son struggles desperately with it when he does not receive adequate treatment. My husband has it as well and is currently untreated, which he doesn't seem to be bothered by, but from my point of view this man is so smart, and so driven, and could reach his potential if he would actually CHOOSE to talk to his doctor about it. I've pushed him to, but he just wont. He doesn't want there to be an official record of it. It's a shame, really. This is a legitimate condition with a known pathology, and there are proven methods of treatment out there that would help him dramatically.

I highly recommend making sure you stay in close touch with your doctor to make sure you have a plan in place for symptom management. It can really be light and day for studying and focus when you find the right methods of symptom management. It could be the difference between success and failure.

I am doing an independent study on ADHD right now, plus a couple of other conditions. I am a bit passionate about it. ☺️ Forgive me if my assumption that you are not well managed by your PCP is incorrect. I am getting by your posts that you are struggling with your symptoms, which is what prompted those last paragraphs. Hugs to you, love, and I wish you success! You CAN do this!

[NurseAlzar, ASN, BSN, RN]

Hello,

I have ADD, how may I apply this while studying for the Nclex-Rn?

[whatwasithinking75]

I graduated in July from a PN program. I have ADHD and choose not to take medication for it because it turns me into a zombie and I am a lot better off without it.

I am a visual learner. However, out side of labs and clinical everything was on paper. Reading my lectures or chapters just didn't cut it for me. So I would re- write important areas from my lectures and text book using different colored inks.

Flashcards did the trick too.

Memorize Memorize Memorize and if you need more time practicing skills as your instructors to allow you more time in the lab to practice or do it at home even if you don't have the supplies.

[cadee59]

Excellent post about adhd. I have suffered with it all my life.