Does anyone actually do all the readings?

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Feb 26, 2004

I survey the readings but save the word-for-word tediousness for complicated material. Our instructors test primarily from their lectures (which come from the book). If we take good notes and have a good understanding of the lecture presentation, the book is more like a reference source.

Right now we're just moving into electrolytes/acid-base balance. It's known as the toughest section of the Nursing I curriculum. I had this material in A&P and it was tough then. This one I will require some extra attention to reading.

hmccartn · Feb 26, 2004

it's impossible to stay on top of everything....i do not do all of the readings..i try to get the requireds done but it doesnt always happen, especially this semester... i have done very well without always being "up" on everything..but i know that other people really need to do all of the readings to try to get an understanding of the material..i hear that nclex and cnat/crne (canadian test) prep books are very good at getting you ready for the exam...i plan to go full on studying with my medicine/surgery/pediatrics books and those prep guides when it comes closer to my boards...at this point i find until i use a lot of the material in practice, it goes in one ear and out the other... best of luck

wv_nurse 2003 · Feb 26, 2004

:) Nursing texts are not meant to be read like a novel. A lot of students find it helpful to read the first and last sentences of each paragraph prior to lectures--reveiw any "highlight" boxes or tables, then take good notes in lecture. Any content that isn't made clear by lecture can then be reviewed more thoroughly by reading. Don't be afraid utilize other sources to help make the material easier to understand (if you like surfing the web--do a google search).

But I would think trying to read each word would be not only time consuming, but probably not the most effective way to cover the material.

Mithrah · Feb 26, 2004

I do most of the required readings. The readings have rarely helped me get a better grade. Overall, it is a waste of time to read when studying for a test, but very beneficial for your own general knowledge.

mtnmom · Feb 26, 2004

when I was in my BSN program and overwhelmed by the volume of reading, 3 other girls and I formed a group that would divide the readings - we each would read our assigned section and summarize it for the others. It worked very well for us, but we all knew each other well and most importantly, we trusted each other and wanted the others in the group to do well (thus we tried to do a good job)

I would recommend this approach wholeheartedly but only if you find a group that you really "click" with.

As we did our summaries for each other we would try to infuse little bits of humor, etc. that seemed to help us remember better. It made reading more interesting and we retained more.

I had instructors that would actually pull questions from the readings that were not covered in class. Just a few, but enough to definitely make it worthwhile to cover the written material.

I still use my textbooks as a reference 4 years later, by the way. Very often I come home and look up things that I encounter in practice. So don't be tempted to get rid of all of those books after passing boards!

AccelBSN04 · Feb 26, 2004

To answer your question succinctly: no, I don't do all the readings. That would be an impossible feat. I tried to for the first 2 weeks or so of my program and then realized it was futile. I'm in my 3rd of 4 semesters so far and am a straight A student, so not reading hasn't been too detrimental. I pick and choose what's important and hone in on that. Maybe it's not the best strategy for every student, but it works for me :)

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Feb 26, 2004

Not me,, there was no way i could have read all they wanted. I would have been cross-eyed after about 3 weeks, and my kids would have been orphaned. I used my book as reference if there was something in lecture i needed clearified or needed to review and that was about it.

shyne · Feb 26, 2004

I only read the areas that are covered in our lecture and skim over the other stuff. There is just no way for me to read over 400 pages.

Jennerizer, ASN, RN · Feb 26, 2004

Rarely do I ever read. If I am confused about a certain disease, I will take the time to learn more about it----but rarely will I sit with the book in my lap reading page after page.

If you find yourself doing that, take notes while you're reading. Otherwise, by the time you're done reading, you'll forget most of it.

I find it more helpful to study the notes with a friend, but sometimes we do what another person said. Summarize what we're reading & share it with each other.

purplemania, BSN, RN · Feb 26, 2004

I did not read everything either, but considered my texts as references. I would concentrate on the lecture material, course objectives and textbook chapter objectives or highlights.

belladelicious · Feb 26, 2004

I try. But, there is soo much! lol. I guess it depends on your teacher,etc.. whether or not you really need to read. But for me, reading is essential to passing. W/o reading, I would probably fail every test. Lecture for us is more of a review of what we should have read. I'm just in my fundamentals/community stuff, so maybe this is why.