10 Study Tips that will Make Nursing School Easier

Published

Specializes in Peds, Med-Surg, Disaster Nsg, Parish Nsg.

"There's no question that nursing school is challenging. And when you are trying to manage home and work responsibilities on top of your nursing studies, the amount of studying you need to do could seem insurmountable. How on Earth are you supposed to get all of these chapters read, never mind review notes, prepare for the nursing exam and retain all of the vital information that you absolutely must know for a successful career in nursing?"

I found the following tips in an article from Top Universities. Read the article for more details about each tip.

  1. Follow the nursing exam study guide
  2. Study a little every day
  3. Focus on the material covered in class
  4. Think in terms of action, not facts
  5. Form a study group
  6. Skim-read first
  7. Use outside sources
  8. Know your learning style
  9. Use downtime as study time
  10. Take breaks

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Great tips! Thanks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

great article!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I wish my school taught this in fundamentals. Instead of telling us to think actions, not facts, they tell us to "think like nurses" - which to a first sem nursing student as is vague and broad as can be.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Nursing exam study guide? Who gets those?!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Awesome! Thanks for sharing!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Nursing exam study guide? Who gets those?!

I made my own by following the course topics/objectives for each & typing up my own "guide" from my class & textbook notes. It was time consuming though and not realistic with the amount of material covered in med surg.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in None yet..
I wish my school taught this in fundamentals. Instead of telling us to think actions, not facts, they tell us to "think like nurses" - which to a first sem nursing student as is vague and broad as can be.

I agree, that's not at all helpful to me, either. I did need clarification from the article about what it means to focus on "actions" and I'll add that here for a shortcut. (The article itself is a very fast read.)

When you are studying for the nursing exam, ask yourself, “How will I help my patients with this information?” You’ll be a better nurse as well as a better student.

That's a useful perspective that will make studying more fun, I think. Thanks, tnbutterfly, for another great resource.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I agree with think in terms of action not facts!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Great article

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Great advice!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion