How am i going to learn if only writing papers?

[mtg0884]

As I sit waiting to start my PMHNP program, I am having a hard time wrapping my head around how I am going to learn anything when all I am doing is writing papers? In my undergrad, I always learned best by reading --> Studying --> Taking tests.

I have asked others going through the program and the PMHNP I shadow who graduated from my program and they say it is heavy paper writing.

I just don't see how I am going to graduate with any knowledge when I am writing papers instead of studying per say?

Can someone end this confusion for me!

[Red Kryptonite]

You will learn through doing research for the papers.

[MyPrnPleaseBSN]

I am now wondering the same, I wish the best of luck though. Keep us updated :)

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

Even though the program might be "heavy" in paper writing, I would imagine that there are exams/practicums for which you will have to study.

[elkpark]

You will still have to learn and demonstrate clinical competence in order to graduate. The general "rule of thumb" is, the higher in academia you go, the more writing you do. An MSN is not just about the clinical piece, it's also about a specific level of general academic competence and achievement.

[verene, MSN]

Coming from a non-nursing background where I wrote a lot of papers in my undergrad years: you learn by doing research for those papers, by analyzing and synthesizing the information you come across, drawing conclusions and backing them up with evidence. Do not under estimate the amount of time you will spend reading and compiling information and teaching yourself that information inside and out in order to write a compelling paper. It is a different kind of learning from studying and passing exams. I find there are pros and cons to each approach. Hopefully your program has a mix of both, in my experience even in writing based courses where a research paper was the brunt of our grade instructors still gave quizzes and exams.

[BDWilliams09]

I guess it depends on which program your are at and the specialty you choose but I do not feel my program is focused on paper writing. Each semester there is 1-2 papers but none of them have been too difficult. And as far as concern for not learning I would not be too concerned. You are going to be presented with enough material to keep your head swimming for quite some time.

[lhflanurseNP, APRN]

While you do learn a lot from the research you do for your papers, when you get into clinicals and start applying yourself...that is when it starts to "click". Just remember, no one knows EVERYTHING...especially in the beginning...just think back to when you graduated the first time!