Help! Starting bridge program bad

delrionurse · Jan 28, 2023

For the tests try to do as many questions as possible, such as using quizlet, Lewis med surg nursing study guide, HESI review on the content that you are studying even before the lecture starts. You still have more tests to take so you can make it up. For the clinical, to ease your anxiety about missing anything, try to have your uniform ready the night before, hung up on a hanger with your badge fastened to it so you will not forget, also have necessary paperwork next to it as well.

FiremedicMike, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Jan 30, 2023

Welcome to nursing school, it can be soul crushing. I was an A student with a prior bachelors before nursing school, and was immediately humbled by Bs and Cs. I can count on one hand the number of exams I got an A on and I never got an A for a final grade for any of my nursing classes.

don't be too hard on yourself, keep grinding.

Jeff Keeth, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 30, 2023

Already an LVN w/ hx of A's? You have to try a different way of studying/retaining the information. RN programs are a different breed. It's no joke and you have to find a different way to approach things. Are you freaking out at test taking in general? Is nursing the only courses you're taking? Hate to tell you but you should have made a much higher score. You need to live, breathe everything nursing during this short program. No excuses. Guard your ID with your life. Relax, particularly before test taking. Only YOU can succeed IF it's something you really want.Best to you.

ICUNurseLife · Feb 1, 2023

Girl, lets take a deep breath for a minute. You've already been a LVN student with straight A's, which tells me you are more than capable of succeeding. Regarding the ID badge-we are all human and can only do so much. I understand how frustrating it can be to feel like you've "messed up." I will never forget when I got sent home from clinical for dozing off during our wrap-up discussion because I was so tired from working my FT job. All of these silly things do not define who we are as nurses!

I was also a LPN prior to getting my RN (accelerated bridge) and changing my studying techniques helped tremendously. Some tips:

What is your learning style? Do you learn better with colors and graphics? By listening? Reading/writing? Hands-on? You need to know this when it comes to studying. For instance, if you're a visual learner, it would be helpful to use concept maps and draw out concepts to visualize everything. If you're an auditory learner, you can listen to class recordings (if allowed) or listen to YouTube videos anywhere you can ie in the car, grocery shopping, etc.
If you haven't already, make a study plan. If you work, make sure you give yourself enough time to study. Time blocking will help you manage your time. Example: You work 8 hours 3 days a week. If you're too tired to study those days, make time for at least 1 hour to look over things you're struggling with. So, if you have 4 days off, try to block out at least 2-4 hours each day to review content you're being tested on. Don't wait until the night before - you won't retain much cramming.
You should also be practicing NCLEX style questions during your study sessions. This will help familiarize you with NCLEX questions and help on your nursing school exams. If you're being tested on heart failure, try to do at least 25 questions each day on heart failure (after you understand the concept).
Invest in a whiteboard or brain dump on paper. Let's use heart failure as an example. After reviewing and understanding this concept, write out everything you can think of regarding heart failure I.e. signs/symptoms, labs, nursing interventions, patient education. When you're finished, go back to your notes to see what you missed. Focus on the FATAL symptoms and relevant nursing interventions. Trick: Remember left-sided HF are lung symptoms (Left = Lungs) and right-sided HF is the rest of the body (Right = Rest).
Most importantly, stop second guessing yourself. Well, I suppose we all second guess ourselves, but you need to trust your gut instinct. If you decide on an answer, stick with that answer. Don't read it over and over and trick your mind into thinking it might be wrong. Many students end up choosing the wrong answer when changing answers.

More nursing school resources that might be helpful:

Free Simplified Nursing School Notes

How to Study for and Pass Med Surg Nursing

Nursing School Note Taking Tips

Nursing Concept Maps

You are capable of anything you put your mind to. Good luck - you got this!

Nurse Alexa, MSN, RN · Feb 4, 2023

You can do this! Allot time everyday to study. Use the resources that are available to you - You Tube, textbooks.

*Group study saved me during school! Make friends with you classmates and start studying together. Even on Zoom.

*Study Guides are key too. Make a condensed version of each chapter exam and go over your weak points the most!

You should see better results if you use these methods ^