How much time do you spend studying outside of nursing classes?

SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN · Apr 13, 2014

45-50 hours of studying over what? A week? A month? A semester?

beckyboo1, BSN, RN · Apr 13, 2014

Depends on the class how much I study. How can you make up a schedule not knowing anything about the class?

Avill, BSN, RN · Apr 13, 2014

It's hard to make a schedule. Do it as it goes. In my schools we switch classes every 5 weeks during year two. So it gets pretty hectic.

2k15NurseExtern4u, BSN, RN · Apr 13, 2014

I most of the time study the night before. For some reason I tend to do well this way. Weird.

ellaballet · Apr 14, 2014

I don't know if you'll be needing to study 50 hours a week every week, but if you managed to find the time to schedule that in plus eating, sleeping, class...then I wouldn't worry about it. I think they told us to study 4 hours a day but again every person (and every week!), semester, school..is different.

malenurse69, MSN, NP · Apr 14, 2014

Depends on when my exams are. A week I have no exams my study time goes to 0. The week of my exams I usually study 10-15 hours PER exam usually a day or two before the exam. Works best for me, passing with flying colors

kp1987 · Apr 14, 2014

I defiantly don't study that much, I'd say maybe 10-15 hours a week if that! I tend to do most of my studying a week or two before an exam

goldenanchor · Apr 15, 2014

@soldiernurse22: a week.

Apples&Oranges · Apr 15, 2014

I am just finishing my second semester of nursing school and am getting straight As. I tell you this because I structure my time with the goal of As, and have had to sacrifice MUCH more than I expected to maintain those grades. At last check, 80% of my pharmacology class was failing (below 78%.) I have clinical on Monday 6:30am-2:30pm. I do not do any schoolwork Monday night. I have class Tuesday 8-10:30 and stay in the library until 3pm. Every Tuesday, no matter what. I have class from 9:30-3:30 on Wednesday - usually get to school at 7am, study for 1.5 hrs before class. I am in the library from 8am-3pm every Thursday and Friday and work 13 hour days at the hospital Saturday. I spend Sundays at the coffeeshop with WiFi 8:30am-1:30 pm. I have not taken a day OFF since the semester started in January. I do not have a family, and I can get away with only working 13 hrs a week by burning (quickly) through savings.... I give you this detailed schedule because I entered nursing school with the idea that it would be about as much work as my bachelors (yeah, right,) or my associates of science (not even CLOSE!) This is a whole different animal, particularly if you do not subscribe to the C=RN mantra. It's tough. it's a whole lot harder than you think it will be. Prereqs seem like getting a massage and eating ice cream compared to that first critical thinking exam... No comparison. I don't know how people with kids do it.. I have so much respect for them. That said... It is so much fun! Learning all these new things is fascinating! Most importantly, you can absolutely do it!!! The fact hat you are already scheduling 40+ hours a week for studying shows that you have a realistic idea of what will be required! Good luck! (Just please prepare your family for no more of this cooking and clean laundry nonsense during the week... :-)

goldenanchor · Apr 15, 2014

Thank you so much!! This was more the answer I was expecting. I honestly never would expect to succeed in nursing school by only studying 10 hours a week. In just my pre-requisites alone, I study/do homework for over 25 hours a week (and I also get A's)! I definitely know going into the program that it will be worlds different from my associates degree and any other coursework I've done!! I know the odds are stacked against me as a working mother, but I feel like my preparedness will serve me well. I NEED to be able to set a firm schedule for myself to handle it all even now. Thanks so much for your honest assessment - I appreciate it :)

mzrainydayz, BSN, RN · Apr 16, 2014

I study anywhere from 2 to 4 hours a day. It all depends on what else I got going on that day/week. By studying everyday I retain the info better, I also have started retyping my lecture notes and organizing them in a way that works for me and I have received a's and high b's this semester. In my classes we have many chapters to read/study like 10 plus, so I have to study everyday. I can't procrastinate,I could do that when I was taking prerequisites but not in nursing school. To each their own I know people who say they only study right before the test and do just fine.