How to Get a 4.0 In Nursing School (The Easy Way)

[Randy RN ASN]

Getting a 4.0 in nursing school seems impossible right? Well it's not! Here are 4 tips for getting straight A's in nursing school. They worked for me, and I know they will work for you!

1. Participate in class!!!!

This was the hardest thing for me, but so so so important. The more engaged you are, the more information you will retain. Don't be afraid to ask a "dumb question" because chances are that several other students have the same question but are afraid to ask.

2. Don't do all the reading!!!

I wish someone would have told me this my first semester. If you do all the reading, you will get burnt out and you wont remember very much. If your school offers powerpoints, study guides, or recorded lectures, those resources should encompass the majority of your study time. Remember: Study smarter, not harder. If you do enjoy reading, make sure you focus on bold terms and the tables/charts in the book.

3. Take advantage of tutoring and/or professors!!

This was the most important thing for me. Tutors are great because they have been in your shoes and often know what you need to know. Rather than reading 100 pages for homework, I would simply go to a tutor for an hour each day. If you don't have access to a tutor, meet often with your instructors outside of class. You will be surprised how much they will help if you just ask!

4. Find out what learning/study method works for you!

Learning: I realized that I am a visual learner; I retain information better if I actually see it. This is why I like powerpoints and youtube videos. You can find out what method best fits your brain at What's Your Learning Style? 2 Questions.

Study: Also, figure out early on whether or not you study well in groups. I personally study better alone because I am easily distracted in large groups. However, small groups (2 or 3) can be a great thing because you get insights from different people, without the major risk of getting distracted. Make sure the people you study with are "top students" because you can pick up really good study habits from them.

I hope this helps! Remember, you are in control of your grades and your future. If you follow these tips and believe in yourself, you can get straight A's too.

Good Luck!

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

So, you are telling people how to act responsibly as a student? I'm sorry, it's not rocket science. Study, do the work... Things that should be learned in high school.

[Randy RN ASN]

Heather,

You're right, it's not rocket science, but nursing school can be overwhelming. Not all students have this knowledge you received in high school. My goal was to help students cope with the stress of school and realize that by following a few simple steps, they can be successful.

[Eru Ilúvatar]

These are amazing general tips. I would add to them to do as many practice questions as possible from any sources available. Nursing school questions are a thing of their own (which sometime go against common sense) , so the more prepared you are the better.

[Randy RN ASN]

Eru,

Excellent advice. Practicing NCLEX style questions throughout nursing school is an important thing to do. Not only will this help you pass nursing school, but you will also be better prepared for the nclex!

[Randy RN ASN]

To those reading the comments: Please share any advice you have for excelling in school so that students may benefit from your wisdom!

[Nursferatu]

It may not be rocket science but you definitely have to PRACTICE these tips! And many HS don't prepare you for learning, they prepare you for test-taking. I definitely find that if a particular professor doesn't teach to my way of learning, getting help from a tutor is GOLD! My school provides free tutoring resources and my grades jumped a full letter grade because my tutors found ways to present concepts in a way I could understand! Also, distractions are the devil! I took my TV out of my room and replaced it with a desk and dry erase board. I'm able to focus more without being distracted by the tv playing in the background. Lastly, reading the topics to be discussed BEFORE that class is a big help! I thought it was dumb to try to understand the topics w/o the prof's help, now I see how much easier it is to grasp what they're talking about and I can ask appropriate questions that clarify my readings.

Thanks for sharing the tips!

[Randy RN ASN]

No problem, thank you for sharing yours

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

Wow! You earn a 4.0 by doing these things?' That's awesome.

As for me, we have write ups that take approx 6/12 hrs once a week or 2.

I do come to class prepared to participate.

No tutoring is offers at my school. But I do make a point to approach my professors after class or in office hours.

I know my learning style and apply it.

I study alone approx 30 hrs/wk.

****

I do NCLEX prep Qs as part of my study routine.

I make flash cards for every. Single. Objective. And power point slide covered.

For my efforts, I typically pass each test. Not much high or low, I pass consistently though.

I'm happy with that, as about 10-25% of students do not pass.

That's awesome you are able to earn a 90%.

I'm thankful to pass with a 78.

[la_chica_suerte85, BSN, RN]

So, you are telling people how to act responsibly as a student? I'm sorry, it's not rocket science. Study, do the work... Things that should be learned in high school.

The OP brought up some good points such as not trying to be a hero and do all the reading. I've seen a number of students think they need to get through the 46 assigned chapters in the first week of nursing school and they just drown. Sometimes you need a different perspective on what you should do in nursing school, especially what you should be intensely focused on as opposed to what seems important but can really take a back seat.

[jinki]

If you really want a 4.0, make sure you go to a school and choose instructors that make a 4.0 even feasible.

I got a high B for my intermediate med-surg class. According to my instructor, percentage-wise, it was the highest grade anyone has received without repeating the course in the 7 years she has taught the class.

Students have gotten A's in intermediate MS, but they had to fail it first. The problem is, in our program, you really want to save that one chance at failing for OB-- an entire class a couple semesters prior to mine all failed OB except for one student-- because your second F means getting expelled from the program and barred from all the nursing programs in the district. Even if you go outside the district, since intermediate MS and OB are in 3rd semester, good luck finding a program that won't make you do everything from scratch instead of just transferring your units in. OB is the first and only C I have ever received, and at no point did I care. I'm just glad I got through that minefield.

Our school takes in 40 enrollees for first semester. I graduated with 18 other people-- the biggest batch of graduates in a long time. The prior batch had 9. I'm pretty sure no one ever gets out of our program with a 4.0.

Oh, fun story, I know of a student who failed 4th semester student preceptorship. Since that was her second failing grade, she got expelled from the program less than two months before her expected graduation date.

I and my friends literally tell prospective students who stop to ask us questions re: the program to go elsewhere, and go running. "It's too late for us, but you can still save yourself!" lol

[wannabeny]

Thank you for these tips. I for one never learned these things in any grade.

Only when I dropped out, and studied for my GED did I begin to utilize these techniques.

I'm starting my program in May, so thank you for the reminders!

A bit off topic, but do you think reading the objectives of each chapter, and doing the quizzes/critical thinking questions help with the amount of info that is given?