Struggling in nursing school..

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I'm doing so-so in one course but horribly failing in another course. The classes are a bit too accelerated for me, and combined with clinicals I feel like I don't have enough time to memorize and master the material in order to ace my exams. I'm tested every week, in both classes, and I cannot find a balance at all. I just don't understand why nursing is all about cramming, what is so wrong with giving students enough time to digest the material? Why can't the exams and quizzes be spaced out a bit more? I really only have one or two days to study for two classes. One instructor barely teaches anything or tells you what is going to be on the exam. The other instructor is a lot better but I just don't have enough time to study what she offers...I dont know what to do. Maybe nursing isn't for me at all

In order to do well i say first set aside time to study. Make sure you understand the syllabus and what is expected of you. Get a calendar and write down when all assignments are due and when exams and quizzes are for each n every class. Set your study time in the free available time slots and study study study.

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I am a senior in a BSN program (I graduate in May). I have made an A in every single nursing course I have taken, except one (I got a B in one course do far). First, organization is key. Make a schedule.. Not only for classes and clinicals, but that includes scheduled study times. Second, read the book. Reading isn't studying.. Reading is just that...Reading. After reading, go back over the required reading and make notes, determine any areas that you find difficult to comprehend, and then focus on those areas specific to nursing care, patient teaching, the nursing process itself,nursing management, etc. Go back and study the specifics of the material after you have read it... Make diagrams, pneumonic devices, charts, write questions for yourself... Anything that works to tie it together for you. Knowing the Patho is key. If you know the Patho behind the disorder/disease/syndrome you are studying, it will help you predict what outcomes/problems you can expect (and also those you don't expect!). Know what is an expected patient outcome, know what is not (Assessment!). Know patient teaching. Know Prioritization (ABCs, Maslows). Know what getting better and what getting worse looks like. Know patient teaching. Study NCLEX or application based questions pertaining to what you are being tested over so you can get a general idea of what type of questions may be asked. I personally study alone, but I have heard "cooperate to graduate!". If you can find a study group that is serious and works for you, utilize it. Nursing tests over application so you cannot simply just memorize.. You must be able to apply to the particular situation. When is doubt, ask the professor for direction (They want you to do well!) Study smarter, not harder! I know nursing school is challenging, but is has and can be done! Hope this helps! Best of luck!

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I totally understand what your going through.. I have one class only and a clinical for lpn and I'm also below what I need. Shorty 11 has some great ideas esp for priorites.. I totally forgot about maslows theory. Now I see what to do! Thanks shorty... and good luck OP.. don't drop. Just keep trying. Last quiz I got a b... also by doing webs and diagrams.. also reading the material before they go over it helps a lot. Somehow it will come to you and it will tie together.

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Next week I have 4 tests: One Monday and 3 on Wednesday. You are only taking 2 classes try taking 4. I have a test practically every week and some weeks 2-3 tests (couple times 2-3 on the same day) . That is not including 2 different clinicals (med/surg. and Mental Health), 2 term papers, weekly journal entries for 2 classes, assessment lab with a ton of homework. It is just part of nursing school.[/quote']

I hate these types of posts. The "my life is tougher than yours" posts. ?

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First thing.... Memorizing Major No No! This is what makes nursing courses different, more diificult than any other course you have ever taken. In nursing you have to learn how to read and apply the info you read. Nursing is all about critcal thinking and application. Once you learn this life will be soo much easier. Trust me, I had to learn the hard way. As for study groups, its a must... even if it just with one other students. You don't realize how that other person view helps you. It help you see the work in another way, make you think differently on your approach to that area you'll studying. Like some of the others stated you have to schedule study time and every point of your day. You can memorize the entire book but if you don't know how to apply it to the qustion/scernario... it's USELESS!!!! *Its very difficult but achievable.... Good Luck[/quote']

Memorizing a no no? Ummmm sorry, but while the ability to think critically and apply knowledge is essential to passing tests, a great deal of memorization is absolutely necessary, especially when it comes to nailing stuff like lab values. But maybe I don't know...I stayed on the deans list throughout school. Could just be dumb luck.

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Memorizing a no no? Ummmm sorry but while the ability to think critically and apply knowledge is essential to passing tests, a great deal of memorization is absolutely necessary, especially when it comes to nailing stuff like lab values. But maybe I don't know...I stayed on the deans list throughout school. Could just be dumb luck.[/quote']

For me, the best way has been memorizing and then figuring out how to apply whatever was memorized.

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Specializes in Neuroscience.
Memorizing a no no? Ummmm sorry, but while the ability to think critically and apply knowledge is essential to passing tests, a great deal of memorization is absolutely necessary, especially when it comes to nailing stuff like lab values. But maybe I don't know...I stayed on the deans list throughout school. Could just be dumb luck.

I agree. You have to know the material before you can answer a question. If you already understand how to critically think, then it is imperative to understand what the answers mean before you choose. Besides, I'm pretty sure there are no multiple choice answers when deciding what to do for your patient.

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Specializes in Oncology/hematology.
there's no time to meet up outside of lecture and clinicals.

Are you in class and clinicals 7 days a week for 16 hours a day? There is always time outside of class. It's just about the choices you make with that time. I have class all day Monday, clinicals all day Tuesday, SIM and lab time on Wednesday plus a night class, Thursday is sometimes class, sometimes not, Friday lecture plus extra night class, Saturday work and Sunday is study/family day. I still manage to find time and I'm in more classes than you. You could find time, I'm sure.

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Are you in class and clinicals 7 days a week for 16 hours a day? There is always time outside of class. It's just about the choices you make with that time. I have class all day Monday, clinicals all day Tuesday, SIM and lab time on Wednesday plus a night class, Thursday is sometimes class, sometimes not, Friday lecture plus extra night class, Saturday work and Sunday is study/family day. I still manage to find time and I'm in more classes than you. You could find time, I'm sure.

We all learn differently. Maybe you learn a lot faster than I do. Can retain more info. The little bit of time I have outside of class, I need it for studying.

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We all learn differently. Maybe you learn a lot faster than I do. Can retain more info. The little bit of time I have outside of class, I need it for studying.

Well, this study of yours is obviously not cutting it. You said in the initial post that you have no ideo how the other students are getting by....don't you interact with your fellow peers? Have you ask any one from your group how they are "getting by"? It appears just from that statement that you have little or no contact with others in your group. Maybe that is how they are getting by. They are probably doing a divide and conquer strategy and dividing the work among themselves and distributing the load among a study group.

Do you work while attending school? What type of Nursing program is this (Accelerated, ADM, Community College, Private College, State University, BSN)?

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.
We all learn differently. Maybe you learn a lot faster than I do. Can retain more info. The little bit of time I have outside of class, I need it for studying.

What EXACTLY is your weekly schedule? I have a hard time believing that you're in school SO LONG that you have "no time" outside of school. Even with clinicals, there should still be plenty of time to study. I've read several of your "I'm struggling" posts, and to be honest, it sounds like you're more interested in making excuses than actually DOING something about your issues.

So, what is this gawd-awful hectic schedule you have that doesn't give you enough time to learn the material? Because I'm having a hard time believing it's as bad and you claim it to be. Let's hear it...

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Specializes in NICU.
I hate these types of posts. The "my life is tougher than yours" posts. 

It wasn't a "my life is tougher than yours" post. She is only taking 2 classes and is failing one and barely passing the other. If she is struggling with that workload, then she needs to reconsider her decision to become a nurse (which she has decided to on another lengthy thread). My point was that nursing school doesn't get any easier, but only harder.

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