Mental health nursing, how to tackle this monster of a course?

[VAgirl247]

Every person I asked how they study or former tutors say they don't know. Most say they just got through with luck. I can tell this is going to make this semester long!

[tsm007]

I don't really understand your question. I studied for mental health the same way I studied for any other course. Learn the diseases/disorders, symptoms, priority assessment, and priority interventions. Learn the drugs and side effects. I don't know. It wasn't any different studying for psych than it was for med/surg or any other course to me. I study all my classes by reading the material and then doing lots of practice NCLEX questions. I generally don't waste my time with flashcards, highlighting, rereading, or anything else. If I get stuck on an NCLEX question then I will go reread on the topic, but only if the info doesn't start sticking in my brain after reading the rationales for the answers. I know that is contrary to what a lot of people do, but I feel like doing lots of practice NCLEX questions does the same for me as flashcards do. I memorize the important info, but also I get better at answering those tough critical thinking questions.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

I agree with tsm007 and would add that you should learn how to do therapeutic communication. This technique tends to turn up on tests, even with Med/Surg patients.