Prerequisites and Writing Program

Mergirlc, MSN, APRN, NP · May 5, 2020

Not sure about the statistics, but for the writing you can check Chegg Writing to see if that fits what you are looking for.

Just type in "Chegg Writing" into a search and it should come up. I think they even offer a free trial, but I'm not sure how long that lasts.

Lonnie48 · May 5, 2020

Thanks Mergirlc! I plan on checking it out. ?

Guest1142305 · May 5, 2020

The best way to improve your writing IMO is to read really well written papers in a subject you love or that is similar to what you are going to write. Reading the same paper 5-6 times will open your eyes to the structure, the flow of thought, etc.

My undergrad was writing intensive and I found "Quality Research Papers" by Vhymeister very helpful, buy the older edition for a few bucks online. Also read "The Elements of Style" by Strunk and White. Again, an older edition is fine and so cheap. Both are short reads and both are excellent. Aside from that software such as endnote can make citation management a breeze.

portage learning is the cheap go to for self paced online RA nursing prerequisites but make sure your school is okay it’s them. Some frown. Aside from that edukan is connected with Kansas cc’s iirc, and then there’s New Mexico junior college. Not self paced, but online and cheap. Aleks is also a cheap way to prep for stats and get granted ace credit for it if your school takes ace. $20 a month. Hard to beat.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · May 5, 2020

4 hours ago, anewmanx said:
The best way to improve your writing IMO is to read really well written papers in a subject you love or that is similar to what you are going to write. Reading the same paper 5-6 times will open your eyes to the structure, the flow of thought, etc.
My undergrad was writing intensive and I found "Quality Research Papers" by Vhymeister very helpful, buy the older edition for a few bucks online. Also read "The Elements of Style" by Strunk and White. Again, an older edition is fine and so cheap. Both are short reads and both are excellent. Aside from that software such as endnote can make citation management a breeze.

Spot on advice! The best way to learn to write well is to expose yourself to good writing. Repeatedly. And then- just start writing. KNOW you are going to need to revise a couple times before it's done. Revision is part of the writing process- no writer gets it perfect the first time.

Another thing I think is helpful is to read your paper aloud before submitting it. It can help you find those little disconnects where you thought you wrote something clearly but when you actually hear it- you realize how it could be improved.

Guest1142305 · May 5, 2020

2 hours ago, meanmaryjean said:
Spot on advice! The best way to learn to write well is to expose yourself to good writing. Repeatedly. And then- just start writing. KNOW you are going to need to revise a couple times before it's done. Revision is part of the writing process- no writer gets it perfect the first time.
Another thing I think is helpful is to read your paper aloud before submitting it. It can help you find those little disconnects where you thought you wrote something clearly but when you actually hear it- you realize how it could be improved.

The value of good outlining is also hard to ignore. A paper writes itself when it is split into logical bits in an outline and you begin and end each paragraph connecting the thoughts to a cohesive whole.

Lonnie48 · May 7, 2020

Thanks to you all! Great advice and new sites that I previously was unfamiliar with. Look forward to checking them out, along with the books recommended.