Question about recalling information learned in school

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Hello,

Just wondering if anyone can give me any opinions on some concerns I'm having as a student.

I'm worried that as much as I study, 2-5 hours per day, alot of things I learn in class aren't sticking in my head. I'm good at remembering stuff short term, then after a test I'm so concerned with the next thing to do, study, read, prepare for, that what I've just tested on becomes foggy in my brain. I recognize stuff after I hear or read it, but if you asked me to explain something, I'd have a tough time explaining alot of things.

I'm a solid B student, but I feel not very smart!!! Maybe I'm not book smart but more of a feel things out intuitive kind of thinker. I'm finishing up my junior year, finishing up my med/surg clinical, as well as psych, and I've only had the chance to do one catheter, one subq injection, some IM's, and mostly give meds with my instructor and other tasks like helping patients readjust themselves in bed etc. I'm afraid I'm a slow learner or something, or does it just take more practice and experience to learn skills and retain all these facts I'm learning:confused:? My confidence right now is rather low.

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Specializes in Cardiology, Oncology, Medsurge.

I think that when you actually start nursing, the information you've learned will come back through reinforcement from actual events. After you've seen say 5 MI patients, you'll get used to expecting certain orders, looking for certain relevant signs and symptoms exhibited by the patient. Nursing is a relearning event always. Today I plan on rereading my anatomy physiology book even if I deal with this stuff on a daily basis, doesn't hurt to refresh one's memory.

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Learning is through repetition. When you get your first job at first you will be like what?? Then after you go to work, and do the same routine day after day, you will begin to get it. Takes time and a lot of it.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

Say that you memorize facts X, Y & Z.

Building upon that memorization, you learn Xa, Yb & Zc.

On questioning, you can only immediately recall the a, b & c of it all. That's because internalizing a, b & c requires an innate understanding of X,Y & Z.

You likely know more than you realize. Don't sweat it.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

And after school you can always have reference materials with you. No instructor to yell and expect every detail to be memorized.

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Thanks so much for the feedback! I'm feeling better after these uplifting replies from everyone!

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Nurses look up stuff all the time as well. We have a medical dictionary, drug books, anatomy books and procedure texts on the floor.

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Specializes in Med Surg, ER, OR.

just like loriangel14 said, we always look stuff up in books and the internet! You will never know it all and you can always bounce ideas off of others, whether docs or other nurses. I work ER and utilize a wide variety of knowledge, but the thing I have ignored most includes OB! Amazing how after I thought about wanting to ignore OB, I had an open c-section in the ER and had to dig up some of that old info in the back of my mind. When you need it most in real life, it will come to you, but repetition is key...

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Specializes in ED.
I think that when you actually start nursing, the information you've learned will come back through reinforcement from actual events. After you've seen say 5 MI patients, you'll get used to expecting certain orders, looking for certain relevant signs and symptoms exhibited by the patient. Nursing is a relearning event always. Today I plan on rereading my anatomy physiology book even if I deal with this stuff on a daily basis, doesn't hurt to refresh one's memory.

I'm with CaLLaCoDe. The real learning begins when you start working, but the education you are getting now is the foundation for what you will build later.

I am a recent grad myself, so I can also tell you that what you are feeling about your ability to learn is *very* common. I was there. I questioned my ability to learn as well. Most of my classmates did as well. I would worry about you if you *weren't* questioning yourself.

Solid B student? Then you will pass. If you pass, you have what it takes. Don't be fooled into thinking that once you graduate you should feel like you are ready to be a nurse. Anyone who does is scary! Once you graduate, what you are is ready to *start* learning. Any good facility knows this and is ready to give you the *intensive* training necessary to be a nurse *before* they let you loose on your own.

For military types, nursing school is just boot camp. It prepares you for the advanced training that comes after.

Much luck to you!

DC :)

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