Tips for passing nursing school

Jules A, MSN · Jun 1, 2008

I studied every night, quickly figured out how to take NCLEX style tests and perhaps most importantly kept my big mouth shut, for the most part. :wink2:

allnurses Guide · Jun 1, 2008

Study, study and more study. Make sure you ask lots of questions in clinicals if you don't understand ask, find a mentor who is keen to teach and gain as much information as you can.

mc3, ASN, RN · Jun 1, 2008

1. Do not get caught up in gossip and cliques!!! Focus on your goals.

2. Study with 1 or 2 other people who are at the same "level" you are. More than that and you end up wasting time.

3. find a particular style that suits you for taking notes, keeping data, etc. It took me a while to figure out mine because I'd been out of school for so long and things were different.

4. Do not, repeat, do not care what others think of you...

4. Again- do not get caught up in gossip and cliques!!!

Good luck,

mc3:nurse:

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jun 1, 2008

Time management. Prioritization. Expect to cut off friends that distract you, your social life to decrease and to feel like a hermit. Do not spend time arguing with the professors unless you are sure you have a valid point. My mantra used to be that the professor is correct, even if he/she is not. Nothing will make your life more miserable than to have a professor at the heels of your shoes the entire time you are in nursing school.

If your textbook has a study guide that accompanies it (even if it is not on the list of recommendations by your program), purchase it, anyhow. Many times, questions come from there, and it helps to review the material in the text.

Purchase an NCLEX Comprehensive Review book, such as Saunders, or Mosby (or whatever else appeals to you-most people like Saunders), and as you are studying, practice doing NCLEX style questions from the CD ROM.

Get a calender and write down the dates of exams so that you have an idea of how long you have to master the material to be tested. For example, if you have a test in two weeks and have 4 chapters, you have to know how long you have to read those chapters, and then review things that are confusing to you.

Your behavior and who you associate with defines you as far as the professors are concerned. Be careful of how you carry yourself and who you hang around with. If you hang with the trouble-makers, they will associate you to be the same.

DO not be confrontational with the professors in front of the class. If you have a dispute, visit them during their office hours and bring in proof of your questions from the text, another resource or whatever. Or, email them. Usually, they are more receptive when you speak to them calmly, alone.

Ms. Nurse Assistant, LPN · Jun 1, 2008

my problem is how do you know that what you are studying in the chapter is going to be on the test? how do you sort out the important stuff?

lastly, do they have tutors in nursing school?

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jun 1, 2008

my problem is how do you know that what you are studying in the chapter is going to be on the test? how do you sort out the important stuff?
lastly, do they have tutors in nursing school?

You should receive a syllabus at the beginning of each class, which would tell you what chapters to read, what should be discussed in lecture and dates for exams. They may have surprize quizzes, though, which may not be on the syllabus (thank goodness my program didn't have those). You may get your hints on what is important from the lectures, but again, maybe not. Many a time, the professors may tell you to focus on one thing, but something completely different appears on the exam.

My professors used to tell us that you will not know the content of NCLEX, therefore, they feel that you should study everything and get a basic understanding of the information necessary. This is why I told you that you should also obtain a study guide that accompanies the textbooks if they are available. Most (not all, I admit), will have you cover the content of the chapters sort of like a homework assignment and you should remember key points from there. In fact, the study guides are usually covering main points to consider.

Each school is different. Some have tutors, others don't. Mine didn't. I just happened to discover a person to help me in my college that was a doctor in his own country and was trying to obtain his medical degree here. He worked in a science study hall and I offered to pay him to assist me. Best thing I ever did. I never shared my resource, because I felt that I was paying for individual attention and made sure I got it. Some people form study groups. I was not a fan of those, but they are beneficial for many, I hear. You should get the flow of the class and the expectations of the professors as time rolls on, but believe me, you have to study. You should find the study methods that work best for you. Also, if you do join a study group, watch the dynamics. If you think that this is a witch and moan session, gossip time or bash other students, don't waste your time. Also, have something to contribute to the group; don't be a taker. You have to also give. It will not be easy, but if you want this, you can make it happen.

futurelpn09 · Jun 2, 2008

how much hours should be devoted towards studying every night?

mc3, ASN, RN · Jun 2, 2008

how much hours should be devoted towards studying every night?

I studied for about 5 hrs everynight, plus most of Saturday. Sunday was going to the hospital in prep for clinicals, so I did some studying before and after preparing for them.

I have to say, though, I think I'm one of those that overstudies. I felt like I had to get an A in every subject. Looking back, I think a B or C (in nutrition) would have been OK. The world doesn't care if you graduated with honors, or not.

mc3:nurse:

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jun 2, 2008

I did the same, I averaged about 4-5 hours a day. I didn't do on Sundays, or the day after an exam. My husband works every other weekend (works evenings, at that), so, on the weekends he was off, I studied Saturday mornings until he woke up, and then this allowed me to spend time with him. You can't let up, though, if you are a serious student. I used to get mostly As, but the method of my madness was to earn as high as I can in case I got a low grade somewhere else, so it would break even.

amjowens · Jun 3, 2008

Wow, there's some valuable information in this thread! Thanks!

I think it's important to present yourself in a professional manner. The instructors are only human, and I notice that you will get a world of a difference in treatment if you conduct yourself well. Don't join the complainers and (sorry here but true) don't hang with the students who aren't doing well. Between the negativity for yourself that can be had and the reputation given by others, it can turn into a black hole.

It's an art, as you don't want to care what others think of you, yet care VERY much about how you present yourself. Act enthusiastic, show you want to learn, even when you don't feel like it. This isn't high school, you don't need classmate's validation, but you do need the instructor's validation (grades, recommendations, etc.).

Of course, study hard, organize your time, maintain some balance in your personal life, and take care of yourself. This is a time to eat healthy and be good to yourself, not a time to crash and burn.

MzMouse · Jun 3, 2008

Don't take a day off from studying; you just can't.

Be that student who steps forward and volunteers when an opportunity presents itself in clinicals. Instructors appreciate it.

Learn all you can from all the great nurses who like to teach; there are a lot of them out there. If you happen to get a nurse who doesn't care for students (it's not everyone's thing) just be polite, don't get in the way and realize it doesn't make him or her a bad nurse. You can learn from them too.

Never, ever assume anything. Ask questions.