Detailed tips on surviving nursing school

allthingsbright · Mar 16, 2007

I disagree about reading every chapter--I selectively read on areas that I need more in depth understanding outside of lecture. Sometimes I end up reading all the chapters and sometimes just partial amounts. I get high marks, so this works for me--more importantly, I am able to apply my knowledge in clinical.

YOU need to find out what kind of studying is most beneficial for you and also what the school expects from you. If you have quizzes you may need to read everything AND fill in outlines before lecture. It all just depends.

Other things that have helped me: stay out of other people's business and don't gossip.

Remain professional at all times-instructors ARE NOT your friends--they are there to eval. you on EVERYTHING you say & do--especially in clinical.

Be friendly to everyone...don't burn any bridges.

Learn to accpet responsibilty for your actions. If you make a mistake in clinical, own up to it and tell you instructor ASAP.

Use note cards--they are great. But don't rely on memorization. Ask "Why" when you are studying. Nursing builds and you need to be able to critically think and apply what you learn. The only thing you can memorize are values for lab, vitals signs, etc. But you still need to know why those values are important and what they signify.

Get some NCLEX books and answer NCLEX questions throughout school. It will help you with test taking and with the NCLEX when you are done!!!!

Study a little bit every day! :)

Gennaver, MSN · Mar 16, 2007

I was wondering if any nurses or nursing students have any detailed tips on doing well in nursing school other then good study habits. Like whats the hardest part of nursing school: the care plans? or what should we expect and try to really focus on?What do you remember to be the most important? Thanx all the tips will be greatly appreciated!! :monkeydance:

My strongest suggestion is to *not* isolate yourself from your classmates and to seek out and create study/support/everything groups for you and your class.

I REALLY feel that it is my classmates that have gotten me through this time. Nursing school is difficult and it is very likely that your personal life, (or someone else's) is goint to blow from the strain.

Be there for each other for the next two years, for everything from an extra pair of scrubs or shoes or the pages (edit: I mean the page numbers...!!) for the homework due in two hours to toilet paper, whatever.

That has been KEY for me.

Good luck,

Gen

dmarie (GA) · Mar 16, 2007

I am warning you and take this very seriously, do not get sucked into a tutoring situation with a student who is not doing as well as you are. It may sound cruel but NS is tough and there isn't enough time in the day to tutor someone and do all of the studying that you need to do. I learned the lesson after trying it just once this semester.

AMEN.

thyme39 · Mar 16, 2007

I am not in nursing school yet but I start this may in an excellerated program so I know it will be very fast paced. I have worked full time and taken 2 classes a semester for the last 2 yrs though and have a family so I needed every single minute of studying I could get. Here are my thoughts:

1. find out what type of studying works for you and do it. (if you need music on, study where there is music. I need absolute quiet to study best so I go to the library a lot.)

2. I had a good classmate who become my friend through 4 classes that we were in. We studied together. We tried not to gab and use our time the best way we could. She was a little behind me but not enough that i spent a lot of time helping her. And on some things she knew more than I. A couple of people knew we did well on tests so wanted to join our study group. She told them no. I didn't even know until later. She said it would be too many people. Actually they did join a couple of times and know what? she was right. I got no studying done those times. We went back to just us.

3. I learn pretty good with just myself studying but one thing a studying buddy did was keep me coming every sat/sun (the only time I had to study) to the library to meet up with her and study. I think I did the same thing for her. So it was good for no other reason than that it kept me studying.

4. I started using index cards early on because someone suggested it. I put a question on one side (or multiple questions) and the answers on the other. These fit anywhere - backpack, purse, etc - and I take them out every spare minute I have. (waiting at the doctors, sitting in stopped traffice, going to the bathroom (yes there too)). Even if I only do 1 question and answer, that's one less. Little things add up to make a big difference.

5. when I need to read a lot of chapters and they give me 2 or 3 weeks to do it in, I break up the time and determine what day I should have each chapter done. That way I know way ahead of time if I am falling behind and need to pick up the pace.

6. After 2 yrs of working full time and going to school the rest of it, it is getting pretty tiring studying studying studying. When I feel like this I tell myself I will read "X" amt of chapters or do "X" amt of questions and then I will go see a movie or some other thing I like. It helps me to take a break but I also get the studying in.

7. I can't stress enough to do what works for you. You can find lots of studying hints everywhere (books, internet, here) and I don't think NS school is any different from other school where you need good study habits if its an intensive program. Pick the best ones and try them and keep what is good for you.

Sorry this is so long. Hope it helps.

lizzyberry · Mar 20, 2007

I am not in nursing school yet but I start this may in an excellerated program so I know it will be very fast paced. I have worked full time and taken 2 classes a semester for the last 2 yrs though and have a family so I needed every single minute of studying I could get. Here are my thoughts:
1. find out what type of studying works for you and do it. (if you need music on, study where there is music. I need absolute quiet to study best so I go to the library a lot.)
2. I had a good classmate who become my friend through 4 classes that we were in. We studied together. We tried not to gab and use our time the best way we could. She was a little behind me but not enough that i spent a lot of time helping her. And on some things she knew more than I. A couple of people knew we did well on tests so wanted to join our study group. She told them no. I didn't even know until later. She said it would be too many people. Actually they did join a couple of times and know what? she was right. I got no studying done those times. We went back to just us.
3. I learn pretty good with just myself studying but one thing a studying buddy did was keep me coming every sat/sun (the only time I had to study) to the library to meet up with her and study. I think I did the same thing for her. So it was good for no other reason than that it kept me studying.
4. I started using index cards early on because someone suggested it. I put a question on one side (or multiple questions) and the answers on the other. These fit anywhere - backpack, purse, etc - and I take them out every spare minute I have. (waiting at the doctors, sitting in stopped traffice, going to the bathroom (yes there too)). Even if I only do 1 question and answer, that's one less. Little things add up to make a big difference.
5. when I need to read a lot of chapters and they give me 2 or 3 weeks to do it in, I break up the time and determine what day I should have each chapter done. That way I know way ahead of time if I am falling behind and need to pick up the pace.
6. After 2 yrs of working full time and going to school the rest of it, it is getting pretty tiring studying studying studying. When I feel like this I tell myself I will read "X" amt of chapters or do "X" amt of questions and then I will go see a movie or some other thing I like. It helps me to take a break but I also get the studying in.
7. I can't stress enough to do what works for you. You can find lots of studying hints everywhere (books, internet, here) and I don't think NS school is any different from other school where you need good study habits if its an intensive program. Pick the best ones and try them and keep what is good for you.
Sorry this is so long. Hope it helps.

Thanks this really helps. :monkeydance:

Achoo!, LPN · Mar 21, 2007

Time management is the most critical for me in school, not the classload. Use a day planner, calendar, something to keep track of everything from school, to kids appointments, everything. Stay on top or you will fall behind very quickly. Anyone can study and do well, it's finding the time to squeeze it all in. Good Luck!