Is 50+ pages of reading a week "normal?"

Published

My nursing program is just starting to pick up and this week, I have to literally read almost a 100 pages between my textbooks.

How do people do this AND work? Are your nursing programs heavily based on reading too? I haven't had my first test yet, so until then I basically have to read all the material until I can see how the tests are and adjust my study strategy according to that.

"Test questions are from the reading" is typically code speak for "we use the test bank from the textbook company". Meaning, ALL the test questions come directly from the book.

Charts, graphs and diagrams, and, anything emphasized in the objectives at the beginning or the overview points at the end of the chapter is what you want to cover. If your book comes with review questions either in a workbook or CDROM format, check them out as they will likely show up on the test in a slightly altered format.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, EMS.

50 pages/week sounds really light, even for one class. I went to an Accelerated BSN program though, so my readings were probably more condensed than most programs. As caliotter said, some weeks you will just not get it all done, if any. I had to work during NS too, and there are many weeks when I said "___ it!" and just skimmed the subject headings and bolded words.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma, Cardiac Cath/Special procedures.

just wait until you are 50 pages just for 1 health problem =)

Smitty G.N.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

50 pages is pretty much nothing. That's like one chapter...and in my class, each test covers about 3 of those chapters in 1 book, and then 2 more chapters half that length in another...and we have a test a week...so that's about 225 pages/week.

You don't have to read it all though. The other day, my one of our instructors said jokingly that if we actually read all the assigned material we'd still be catching up from the first week! (And we're in our 4th week)...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have a bout 100+ per class per week, and am taking 4 classes... and i'm only in my first semester! *face palm*

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medsurg/ICU, Mental Health, Home Health.

I read 50 + pages a week of textbook material starting in 6th grade.

I started out as an English/History major and I read roughly 1000 pages per week (not just textbooks).

Up Vote Up Vote ×

"50+"??!?!

Count yourself lucky that you don't have to read as much as we do. :up: We have to read about four chapters in our Fundamentals books a week right now, and each chapter is about 30-60 pages... Granted there are plenty of graphs, charts, etc., but all those need to be read as well.

And I'm not even starting on Pharm.

Get used to it now - it's only going to get harder.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case Manager.
"50+"??!?!

Count yourself lucky that you don't have to read as much as we do. :up: We have to read about four chapters in our Fundamentals books a week right now, and each chapter is about 30-60 pages... Granted there are plenty of graphs, charts, etc., but all those need to be read as well.

And I'm not even starting on Pharm.

Get used to it now - it's only going to get harder.

Yeah, you're right... but is it going to get INTERESTING? I want to start learning the pathophysiologies and pharamcologies of things. All this fundamental stuff about communication and all that jazz is frankly boring. But I understand the importance of it since everything else builds off of it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yes it's normal and then some. For us, it depends on what we're covering. Some units have more reading then others.

And I work about 25 hours a week, plus have kids.

Does it suck sometimes? Yes it does. As someone else said, you have to take it one thing at a time. And that's what I do.....I take each day at a time, base my priorities around the day. Tomorrow I have two classes with a three hour break in between the two. I make sure my stuff is done and ready for the 8 am class. During my break tomorrow, I'll study and do work for my 2 pm class. Today I have to work at 5, and I'm dead tired so I'm going to nap before work (if I don't, it's likely I'll oversleep for my morning class).

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would LOVE to have only 50 pages to read! I'm currently on a reading break right now because quite frankly I couldn't take it anymore! I've been reading since after class at 11 a.m., so I'm rewarding myself with an hour of free time for whatever I want to do! :)

What helps me comprehend what I'm reading is highlighting, then going back and typing outlines, then making flash cards to study with. It takes a lot of time, but I seem to absorb the information pretty well!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

i would love to only have 50 pages!!! I've never even bothered counting how many pages I need to read, or I would be overwhemled more then I am allready.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Geriatrics, LTC.

LOL 50 pages a week? are you serious? we had 100 a NIGHT! get used to it, it only gets harder.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion