Studying for RPN classes Ontario, Canada

[melissa.22, LPN]

Hi everyone!

I am a PSW student and hoping to bridge into an RPN program in Ontario, Canada. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions regarding study habits or tips to help retain the information learned in the RPN program.

The PSW program at Mohawk is a lot more in depth then a typical PSW program. This is a good thing, because the students hoping to bridge to Nursing get a little background regarding function of the human body and learning the basics about diseases.

Although my marks are high in PSW, I find that I sometimes have trouble retaining the information afterwards writing the test and moving on to the next topic. I keep reviewing things, because I'm afraid "if you don't use it, you lose it!". One of my clinical instructors is an RPN, and she said it is important to be able to retain all the information taught- that RPNs are expected to be able to name off and understand the function of body systems at the snap of a finger!

I like to read material and have recently started watching online videos in order to reinforce what I am reading. How did many of you retain the information you learned? Do all Nurses have super memories? :)

[loriangel14, RN]

It is true that you need to remember the things you learn long after you have written the test. For example, you will learn anatomy, later on, in other subjects they will expect you to remember your anatomy, they won't go over it again but you will need to for other subjects.There is a huge amount of information to learn and remember in a short period of time.Everyone has different learning styles, you need to find what works best for you,.

[Mewsin]

Our CCA course I heard is a lot like your PSW course. I found it just helps. My practical nursing program in the first semester just built upon what I learned in the CCA. The way our pnp course works is that everything overlaps everything else. So what we were studying in anatomy overlapped with pharm and health challenges and admin of meds. It seemed to reinforce it better.

[Maxg1983]

I can recommend the book, 'How to Succeed in Nursing School - Before, During and After' by Caroline Porter Thomas. She provides excellent ideas on how you can succeed in nursing school as she has been there and done that. I also bought another book on nursing students and they share the same opinions.

I have also been scouring youtube like crazy and there are some great vloggers who are documenting their experience. They provide loads of tips and tricks for what works and is working for them.

Also, as a recommendation from Caroline Porter, I bought the lateste CRNE book. The book is packed with questions and this helps to confuse the brain and get your prepared for what is to come. From what I keep reading and hearing (almost daily as nursing has become an obsession for me now) nursing school is not easy and getting as much as you can beforehand is probably the best.

[melissa.22, LPN]

Thanks for all the helpful ideas! Glad to hear that many of the courses build off and reinforce each other. Reviewing the CPNE is a great idea too. Ill make it my next reading material after getting through the HOAE preparation haha!