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

inspired01 · Sep 22, 2010

find some good study partners and each on take an assigned reading and have everyone bring their summaries to the table. Remember, you have to find the top students of the class to do this. And each partner should bring a short exam, questions, definitions, examples too. Yea, 50 pages is not much. Always study what the instructor teaches on, that is the first bit of information you want to get into your long term memory, as in reviewing within 24 hours, and then condensing your notes, everyone in your study group should be doing this, or it can be done as a team. You need to live and eat nursing...period. Just work a little, like work study, you can pretty much pick your own hours. I personally did volunteer at a hospital, where I go to free luncheons, and get a lot of moral support. All the nurses in the office are nuns and RN's. They help a lot with keeping me in goo spirits. :heartbeat

classylady815 · Sep 22, 2010

One of the most important things in mursing is learning to prioritize. You have to learn to be able to pick out the important parts and just skim over the rest. It does take some practice but you will get the hang of it

Wishinonastar, BSN · Sep 22, 2010

First and last sentance of every paragraph, scan for key words in between. Read the chapter summaries at the end. That is what got me through college. You cannot read and absorb every word, but a well written text is written the way that we are taught to write:

Introduction

Supporting sentence

Ditto

Conclusion

If you read the first and last sentence of every paragraph, you pretty much get the idea.

JGarner37 · Sep 23, 2010

I did a BSN program. On an average week, we would be assigned 300-400 pages. I would consider myself lucky if I only had to read 250 in a week. I had one pharm test that covered 60+ chapters. That was pretty impossible, so my study group and I split up the reading and each typed up outlines for each chapter. For some classes it was extremely beneficial to complete the questions on the CD or website that was linked tothe book. Other classes I had, the professor created their own questions based on what our assigned reading was and literally take it from an area in the chapter we were less likely to read. It really varies from professor to professor on where they get their test questions. I know it's a lot of reading in nursing school, but basically you have to do it. Remember this is temporary. Did I read 99% of the assigned reading? No. I probably did 90% or more of the assigned reading though and it has served me well. I still reference my text books though. I'll come home from work and look up a diagnosis or an unusual lab that was ordered. Good luck!

Spikey9001, BSN, RN · Sep 23, 2010

Well, now the reading is on average at least 100 pgs a week... I was using 50 so it didn't seem like I was exaggerating... But I noticed I'm pretty good at retaining what I read... now let's hope I can apply it on the test.

Teebee5 · Sep 23, 2010

I read about 50 pages a day... and then I study flashcards, and terminology...

Look its alot of reading but it is prepping us for the exam at the end.

Your in it to win it, so better start reading!

Happy Studying!

sgnemo25 · Sep 23, 2010

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.

Yep, that sounds about right. Except that you have to read way more than 50+ pages. The previous comments by other poster is so true. I remember one time having to read 25 chapters for one Pedi exam...no joke, true story. Hang in there, it will be worth it in the long run.

2ndyearstudent, CNA · Sep 23, 2010

And it is normal for many people not to get it done.

This is apparently true. The average on our first exam last week was a D.

lamazeteacher · Sep 23, 2010

It might help to take a "speed reading course", and try to get a few scholarships, so that you can work less.

darrarizer · Sep 23, 2010

Some ppl just don't retain written information as well as others, check your book for a CD. Also look online for harder concepts (Youtube), but make sure the source looks knowledgeable. The best thing you can do is to practice NCLEX questions, either online or order a book like Saunders or Kaplan NCLEX review that re-caps all the important info. for each subject and gives you NCLEX questions to answer. Good luck and god bless

iggyEDRN · Sep 23, 2010

As others have said, this is certainly not an abnormal amount of reading and may even be considered a light load for some courses. I would, however, like to add that it is definitely doable, even while working. I worked 30+ hours per week while in nursing school and maintained A's and B's. I'm not saying it was easy or that I got a healthy amount of sleep all of the time, just that it is possible.

Spikey9001, BSN, RN · Sep 23, 2010

Well thanks for the input... so far my memory has done me well. I retain information very well and can pull it from my memory bank and apply it when need be.

And about work, I essentially HAVE to work. People are telling me that I shouldn't work... I wish I couldn't. Although I live home, my mother provides next to no financial support or any support, so therefore, I'm still largely responsible for all my expenses and they won't pay themselves. Since I don't have transportation as well, I need money to pay for bus fare and even that's running low I've been putting in apps EVERYWHERE, but no calls whatsoever lol.

BTW, this is a fundamentals class and like I said my first test is next week. My program also incorporates Pharmacology and Pathophysiology into it's program instead of offering separate courses which calls for even MORE reading! I mean when I do read the chapters, I do the NCLEX style questions at the end and I usually answer more than 80% of the correctly so I can only assume that I understand the material if I can answer the questions at the end of the chapter. I've also been doing the ATI supplemental study guides (when I've had time of course).