Study Guide Blues

[NurseEffort, ADN, BSN, RN]

I know we all gotta choke down this huge EC study guide if we are going to further in our career. That's just the way it is. But I swear I have lost momentum though. :unsure:It looks like a swinging blade on my table and I am like a child trying to get around it to keep from getting hit. My nerves already, really? I'm supposed to be ready to tackle this beast by August. Um...yeah. I seriously don't know where to start climbing this thing. Guess I'm just looking for all my EC folks who recently passed to reassure me that it can be done. I work full time so my time management is getting the best me (40+hrs weekly). If someone remembers how many hours a day/week they studied, I am looking for ideas. Thanks....

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

One bite at a time — have a steak, don't try to eat the whole cow! I would suggest the following (and my apologies if you have already done these things): 1. Read the whole study guide, front to back. 2. Get cozy with the section that has the critical elements. 3. Develop or obtain your mnemonics for the critical elements. Make flashcards that you can carry at work or wherever. I also recorded myself saying them and played that in my car on the way to/from work (hour long commute, so I learned them so well that can still hear myself saying them 8 years later, lol). 4. Obtain lab supplies. Set up lab area at home. 5. Make a practice dummy for PCS practice. I stuffed some scrubs with towels and slapped an armband on her so I would never forget to properly ID my patient (ironically my only PCS failure was for that very thing, lol).

I hope those are some helpful suggestions! Don't fear your study guide, embrace it and love it — it is a key to unlock a door to your future as an RN. :) You have to find that motivation within yourself — I know it's often difficult with everything else we have going on in our busy lives, but you can do it. Good luck!

[NurseEffort, ADN, BSN, RN]

Thanks a million.