Did you read all of the assigned readings in nursing school ?

Simplistic · Jul 3, 2017

Helll no lol. I definitely didn't and almost everyone I know didn't either. My school assigned a LOT of reading each week. Like 4-5 chapters a week. I read SOME, but not all of it. If I didnt understand a particular concept, then thats when I read up on it in the book. I really recommend doing practice questions! And read the rationales!!

caliotter3 · Jul 3, 2017

Errrr, no. Don't remember how I studied, probably off class notes and listening to recorded lectures, mixed in with some questions from review books.

Scottishtape · Jul 3, 2017

I did. I read every assigned chapter front to back, then made notes on it.

The only time I didn't was in Leaderahip and Management. That course was common sense for me, so I never even cracked the book.

EDNURSE20, BSN · Jul 4, 2017

Depends on the paper and how it's assessed. The ones that were lots of essays I didn't bother. When there more exams I made more of an effort. Generally I have A brief look in the readings to see what they are about and read what's I find interesting, or anything in bold or boxes. But now I'm in my final semester of my bsn there's no way you can get through it without doing all the readings. But you learn quickly what papers require you to do more study.

CFnDogs · Jul 4, 2017

It depends on the class/subject matter.

I wasn't expecting this, but I actually find it useful to read my Pharmacology chapters. I'm not sure if it's because I enjoy pharm, or because the book is good, but I find that reading the chapters through at least once was pretty helpful. So, for that, I do make the time to read the book and compare with my teachers notes. My pharm book is to the point, so the chapters are short and informative. I find a lot of textbooks have a LOT of extra fluff.

Patho? Hopeless. We have also covered 30 chapters and I am only 1.5 months in to my first semester. I'm in an ABSN, if that makes any difference. Maybe it's the book, but I don't have time to read it word for word. I DO, however, go back and re read any concepts that I am very unclear on. My prof is a godsend in that he gives us wonderful notes. We have to complete weekly discussion boards that require us to read through important topics in the book, so I DO have to do it then.

Fundies? Sometimes. The book is enormous and often has a lot of fluff. Again, this is one where I go back and re read if I am having issues. A lot of times our prof for this doesn't teach on a topic that will be on the test, so it doesn't leave me a choice.

It depends. You might find that you will have different ways of studying for different classes and different subject matter within the same class. In pharm, I have used a different method for quite literally every module. I guess my preferences just change!

Edit: If I were to read ALL readings every single week, it would be over 10 chapters of DENSE material. I think I tried this my first week, but I found that it just took too much time. FWIW, I am a speed reader and if anyone could find time, it would have been me. Do I want to? Yes. It just can't be my priority because my priority is completing assignments on time. Thankfully, my professors are pretty realistic, but one or two of them isn't and that's kind of a bummer, but I learn who those profs are early on and how to do well in their classes.

elkpark · Jul 5, 2017

Yes, I did.

oops I bradyed again · Jul 5, 2017

I do most of the readings and take notes, just because that's how I learn best. Doing the readings for patho, pharm, and acute were fairly easy for me just because I'm genuinely fascinated by those subjects. I also find it helpful to break up the reading with some YouTube videos, drawing out processes, and doing practice exam questions. How many chapters I read each week really depends on what other assignments or papers I have due. While the assigned reading isn't always covered on exams, I feel better prepared and less anxious about exams if I just do it. If I find myself running out of time to read everything then I will focus on what was covered in lecture and/or the powerpoint.

Thanksforthedonuts, MSN, APRN · Jul 5, 2017

Nope.... never even opened a textbook unless I was looking for sources or specific information. Last semester I didn't even buy any books on our list and got all A's :)

What worked for me was paying attention in class and making sure I understood the concept before the end of the class. I also payed attention to the powerpoints and read through them. Also, if your professor tends to speak with emphasis and spends a longer time on a certain concept, you can be pretty darn sure that it will be covered on your next exam. Also any hand-out or sheet work will most likely be covered on next exam. .... honestly, its all about systematic studying. I would never have learned nearly as much had read every chapter. It doesn't work for me that way.

I graduated Cum Laude and with small children at home.

direw0lf, BSN · Jul 5, 2017

If I thought the book was helpful I did all the readings, but that actually only happened in my pediatrics class.

It really depends on how the teacher makes her exams and lectures. My medsurg2 teacher took everything from her ppts and lectures, so I didn't need to use the book. I asked her the 1st day of class if she likes the book, and she said no, so that gave me an indication that I would probably not need to do all the assigned readings. Luckily she is a great teacher and I learned a lot in the lectures.

So I wasn't reading most chapters each week, but I was spending a lot of time typing notes and looking up more info about something from the notes that maybe I needed to know more about.

But if you're the type of learner who can just read and you'll know it for the test, just do what's best for you!

OliverElio87, BSN, RN · Jul 5, 2017

My first semester I read everything in fundamentals class and bombed our first test. I looked at what went wrong since I read everything and it was because I was not retaining much of the insane amount of reading assigned to us. A friend suggested buying an NCLEX prep book (Saunders) and using that as a guide and use the textbook as a reference. After doing that, everything turned around. I was doing all the NCLEX style questions in the book and actually grasping the material. I didn't mind reading, but it was just not working for me. I think it is all trial and error and finding out what works for you.

midwifemae · Jul 7, 2017

I am in my 4th semester of 6 and I get a lot more learning out of reading and taking notes so I do try to read what is assigned but it is impossible to read it all so I have to skim and figure out what I already know vs what I need to write down to study again later. Good luck!