Published
I also read the book, and underline in a color code Pink=definition, yellow=main idea, and orange=nursing actions. after I highlight (only key words) then I make my notes and I try to make them really short easy to remember sentences. I draw pictures of important things when I can. because I am super visual and on a test I may remember a simple picture better or a bulleted short list. If I write a paragraph I will NEVER be able to retain it. We get sometimes 6-15 med/surg chapters a week I just a don't have time to hit the material with a ton of repetition so what I do MUST be memorable.
Also, don't memorize!!!! seriously flashcards with factoids are making people fail out in my class. Be able to talk through an idea a reason out WHY! Everything you learn ask why is that? hyperkalemia causes muscle weakness(factoid) why does it because it makes muscles excitable and twitchy so they can't make a good strong contraction. Just talk through why when you study I promise you wont regret it when you see a weird test question.. and NCLEX is all weird test questions!
I use a variation of this. I always attempt to take every subject and write all the pertinent information on ONE or two 8.5X11 page. Basically a study guide. It forces me to weed out the important information. I write the pathophys, manifestations, medical and nursing implications in different colors. I'll do the same thing for medications.
I use the Pommodoro method of studying (20-30 minutes, 5minute break, repeat). Google it for details. I also highlight and write notes in different colors for different things - patho, intervention, diagnosis, meds, teacher emphasizes. Nclex style questions related to the exemplars I'm studying. I use med surg success and lippincott read and write the rationales of what is right, why its right, why the others are wrong and what (if anything) would make them right answers.
Valcorie34, BSN, MSN, RN
158 Posts
Hand write your notes. Make them concise. Write the topic in all caps, underline important facts or numbers. When you tackle a chapter in say your Med/Surg book use this format for each illness. What is it?(patho-phys) What does it look like (clinical manifestations) what do you do about it (interventions) and how can it kill you( black box warning or worst case). THEN use that info to work every NCLEX style problem you can (Saunders or Davis books are great)