Studying in the Nursing Program?

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Hello,

I am a first generation college student, I start the BSN program Fall 2016 and have been told that nursing school is very different from other classes. I am currently taking a nursing pathophysiology class that was taken out of our college's BSN program because too many students were not passing it. I'm passing but am just starting to get used to all of the NCLEX style questions. I am nervous because of the amount of time that I have to study just to pass this class by itself.

Any advice on how to study for multiple challenging classes at once? I've heard that we will have to "skim the material in the program because there isn't enough time in the day to study everything." My hubby helps a lot with our toddler so there are very few study interruptions. However, I just need to know how to "skim" material and still retain info to pass--I'm currently reading entire chapters and studying 40 hrs/wk just to pass one class (we don't receive study guides).

Thank you,

Humblenurs

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Welcome to AN! Under the "Students" tab in the yellow bar across the top on the desktop site or in the grey menu at the bottom of the mobile site, you will find a wealth of information helpful to students, including a study tips forum where you may find some suggestions to help you.

If you are not given study guides, you can always make your own- outline each chapter and keep it simple to highlight the key points.

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Wow, thank you! :-)

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Moved to the Nursing Student Assistance forum for more responses.

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

You are not alone. What I recommend doing as a foundation (adjust from there) is taking the # of credits for a class times 3 for the number of hours per week to study. Then spread out that time. For a given hour, try to study for 20 minutes, review for 5 minutes, then do something physical for 5 minutes before doing a new 20, 5, and 5.

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You are not alone. What I recommend doing as a foundation (adjust from there) is taking the # of credits for a class times 3 for the number of hours per week to study. Then spread out that time. For a given hour, try to study for 20 minutes, review for 5 minutes, then do something physical for 5 minutes before doing a new 20, 5, and 5.

Thank you! :)

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I have only completed one semester of nursing school so take this with a grain of salt- I did not have to study as much to get A/Bs as I did with A&P, chemistry, etc. I had to study differently. There is no way I studied 40 hours a week and that is with 13 credits. Each class was very different. Some classes are "labs" and you spend more time practicing skills for test outs then "studying" per se.

You have to figure out a way to study that works and is time-efficient. I like studying with others and quizzing each other. It's important to put what you are learning in a "patient situation" way.

By the way I feel your pain about the toddler, I have one two along with two other kids. It's a hard balance.

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I have only completed one semester of nursing school so take this with a grain of salt- I did not have to study as much to get A/Bs as I did with A&P, chemistry, etc. I had to study differently. There is no way I studied 40 hours a week and that is with 13 credits. Each class was very different. Some classes are "labs" and you spend more time practicing skills for test outs then "studying" per se.

You have to figure out a way to study that works and is time-efficient. I like studying with others and quizzing each other. It's important to put what you are learning in a "patient situation" way.

By the way I feel your pain about the toddler, I have one two along with two other kids. It's a hard balance.

LOL, thank you. I couldn't imagine only studying for a few hours for this particular class--4-5 chapters of info per weekly exam and our book is old and vague (to say the least). What takes so long is all of the research we have to do just to clarify each subject. The doctor, our professor, keeps saying that our book is wrong, but doesn't provide any info outside of that because "it's too time consuming to explain." Hence, the 40+ hr/wk research. I didn't have this issue in A&P I and II, Chem, Language of Med, and Micro... I study more for this one class and have a lower grade than I did for all of the previous classes that I mentioned combined.

I was hoping that I wouldn't have to go through this same ordeal during my program--hopefully they will have more up-to-date books and info? I was told that our first pharmacology exam will cover 15 chapters... so I am just trying to be proactive and figure out how to do this "material skimming" that everyone speaks of before I start in August. Hahaha!

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LOL, thank you. I couldn't imagine only studying for a few hours for this particular class--4-5 chapters of info per weekly exam and our book is old and vague (to say the least). What takes so long is all of the research we have to do just to clarify each subject. The doctor, our professor, keeps saying that our book is wrong, but doesn't provide any info outside of that because "it's too time consuming to explain." Hence, the 40+ hr/wk research. I didn't have this issue in A&P I and II, Chem, Language of Med, and Micro... I study more for this one class and have a lower grade than I did for all of the previous classes that I mentioned combined.

I was hoping that I wouldn't have to go through this same ordeal during my program--hopefully they will have more up-to-date books and info? I was told that our first pharmacology exam will cover 15 chapters... so I am just trying to be proactive and figure out how to do this "material skimming" that everyone speaks of before I start in August. Hahaha!

I'n starting pharm in August as well. I'm trying to study this summer, we also have med-surg which in our program in notoriously one of the hardest classes. 15 chapters for one exam is crazy though! I have never had a class like that. Some classes we barely need to read the book because the instructor tests over lecture slides, others you need to read in detail. After the first couple of weeks it becomes easier to prioritize each class by how much studying is needed.

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https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-student/100-on-my-560985.html

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-student/how-to-survive-532725.html

1. Nursing school is mostly self teaching some schools do not have tutors 2. Nursing school exams are based around nursing models "priority, abcs, maslow, nursing process" are different from pre-req exams 3. Nursing school involves lots of time management abilities such as taking notes, reading, staying healthy, mental sanity 4. Nursing school is the first step to prepping for your first job which means getting to know professors, clinical instructors and networking DURING nursing school 5. Best advice is learn from the classmates who went to your school; alumni, former graduates find them on facebook contact them. 6. Befriend your professor, and just know exam prep starts first day of class. 7. Prep ahead of class. 9. Eat right, sleep, and meditation, positive affirmation/spiritual guidance. 10.Nursing school is get those letters of recommendations (did I say befriend your professor and clinical instructor) lol. 11. Google will be your best friend 12. practice nclex questions in textbook and use study guide-first. IF have extra time . 13. You will be around people with different personalities and experiences 14. get a massage once a month or every semester :) treat yourself candles and all :)

Reading tips most books are organized in the nursing process style. reading comprehension skills are needed

lecture- listening skills are needed , prep before class #7

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I would recommend looking at the following books:

Test Success : Test-Taking Techniques for Beginning Nursing Students.

Fundamentals Success: A Q&A Review Applying Critical Thinking to Test Taking (Davis's Q&a Success

Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN® Examination: (use the book for practice questions)

Get a planner

review the material BEFORE you go class.

Good Luck..You Can Do!!!

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This is exactly what I do, I outline the chapter in the book and then make sure I hit all points off the syllabus. I do it in colors, I bought a ton of pens all different colors and styles and I have colorful notes and it stays with me. Since I've started doing this I've gotten A's and high B's on all tests. It's a lot of work and time, but I figure if it works for me I'll keep doing it. I have no life in nursing school, I work full time and go to school full time, all extra time is either sleeping or studying. It's just how it is. I have three semesters left and then NCLEX, there is light and it's shining bright!

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