Study time FNP

LTinAK · Jan 27, 2014

Hi Adam-

I study. A lot. Our school recommends three hours of study each week for each one credit hour of class, but I find myself working on school a lot more than than. Not sure if that helps, but good luck to you!

zmansc, ASN, RN · Jan 27, 2014

I think it depends on the class. I study alot more for the science and patho/pharm type classes than I do for theory, research, community health, aka paper writing classes. Those get almost no study time, just churn out papers as fast as I can and move on. I haven't been keeping a log of study time, so I really can't tell you a number of hours per credit or class, but I tend to put alot into the science type courses, probably 2x the other classes.

adamRn79, BSN, RN · Jan 27, 2014

Are you guys working also?

allnurses Guide · Jan 27, 2014

I would say that studying combined with work (notes, cases, med lists, etc) that it was pretty fair to say 2 hours per 1 hour of class.

freedomrn1 · Jan 30, 2014

zmansc: What school are you enrolled in?

freedomrn1 · Jan 30, 2014

I'm attending South University and in my first course, Role of the Advanced Nurse Practitioner, and boy, I am putting in at least 20 hours a week in this class, mostly making sure my writing sample is perfect. Otherwise the instructor will slam you silly with points off your grade. It is getting a bit ridiculous, but if that what it takes, so be it. All I can say is where is the gross anatomy...APA won't help me in the emergency room!

newFNP2015 · Jan 30, 2014

I agree with zmansc. I spend only as much time as necessary on busy work assignments for theory-based classes - writing papers, answering questions with my opinions, and responding to discussion posts. I would say a total of 3-4 hours per week (not per credit hour) go into those classes barring large assignments or papers requiring research.

As far as studying goes, that is also challenging to total. I usually set aside 1-2 days at home to go through my assigned modules and information. I use these days to print any notes that are provided, listen to recorded lectures, and take my own notes if necessary. When I was taking classes such as pharm and patho, I spent much more time sitting down with notes and books to understand the content. With clinical classes, I use the module content as a basis for other research and clinical experience. I also use this time to check out the medscape, clinical advisor, and TNPJ apps for articles pertaining to what my modules cover or what I have been seeing in clinic. I am in clinic for two 8 hour days per week which is where I learn best with hands on. For each patient I see, I also log those into typhon. I'd agree with Boston and say around 2 hours per credit hour is reasonable overall.

It depends largely on the classes you are taking, amount of clinical hours required, and your schedule outside of school. Some weeks it can vary based on your prior knowledge of content as well.