How should i study for nursing school?

[na-na]

Hi, everyone

I am finally done with my nursing pre-requisite and have applied to a BSN program in my area. I am still waiting to here if I get in for this summer or not, but in the mean time I have already start to prepare myself for the classes. The first semester will start this summer and it is 10 weeks long, I have looked at the first semester curriculum and it is 17 credits in total. the classes are: pathophysioloy, pharmacology, fundamental of nursing practice, physical exam and assesment, and fundamental clinical.

I have been reading many of the post's on here and many of them seem to benefit from the saunders and kaplans nursing books. Therefore, I have went and bought the saunders comprehensive review for the nclex-rn examination book (5th edition) and kaplan nclex-rn strategies, practice, and review (2012-2013). However, there is one BIG problem, I am not quite sure how to uses these books. I am also clueless on how to study effectively in nursing school. I am used to memorizing what i read and study and unfortunately I hear that this is not case with nursing school. I don't think that I can stop this, because I don't know how.

I have already started reading the kaplan's book on the different test-taking strategies and I feel that I am getting an idea on how to practice for NCLEX questions. The saunders book is divided into different categories and I think that this will help alot in nursing school. How do I use it? Will i be succesful in nursing school with just these two NCLEX books?

Thanks in advance for your advice

[eva123]

It is true that you cannot just memorize in nursing. You have to know the background, why an intervention or assessment is done, what to do after assessment or intervention, how to document, how to prioritize, how to delegate, and how to communicate. Try nursing mnemonics, the Made Incredibly Easy series, Med-Surg Success (or other Success books), and ATI books (your teachers may give you these, I don't know about your program). While it is good to memorize somethings like structures, certain techniques, lab normal ranges, most of nursing is critical thinking because you will be put in situations where you do not know the patient, only have a brief history to go on, have medications to give, and the appropriate intervention to sit in place. Pace yourself, learn the best way you receive education, form peer groups to study, and ask instructors if something is not clear. It is great that you are preparing, wish the best for you :).