How to read and study nursing textbooks?

[Vega043]

I've gone through my first week of nursing school, and the amount of information you have to read and understand is absolutely overwhelming. For my fundamentals class alone it took me almost 2 days to finish reading about 50 pages over asepsis, and as the semester progresses the readings are going to be piling up and before I know it I'm gonna have to be reading multiple chapters a week.

How do you guys read the chapters and study the information? I know its important to read the chapter summaries before reading the book, but how can I manage to read the chapters fast while retaining the information? My teachers also provide powerpoints, so is it better to study the powerpoints and use the textbook for reference to certain sections I don't understand? Is it also important to memorize the key terms (definitions)?

I appreciate all the tips and feedback and thanks in advance!!

[cracklingkraken, ASN, RN]

As everyone has stated, skimming over the reading material cuts down on a lot of time. Also, gauging the professor's teaching style and exam style can be useful (if you want to get technical). My professors were excellent and focused on crucial points of the chapters, and usually tested over those concepts by giving us a situation where we had to apply those concepts. Know Maslow's because that will stick with you forever, as well as which lab values are WNL. Those are only a few things that you will go over fundamentals, but utilize your resources (i.e. PPTs, textbook, NCLEX review book). Good luck!

[Natasha A., CNA, LVN]

Thanks everyone :)

[born_this_way]

Great tips

[Bailando]

Starting nursing school in less than two weeks and I too want to know the best way to study. I can read and read but that doesn't help. Keep the tips coming!