Worried my Professor isn't covering everything

[Kinda Flustered]

I am kinda worried that my professor for Patho isn't covering everything we need to know. When I read the book there is a lot of stuff that seems pretty important that she doesn't cover at all (and the prof said that we didn't have to use the book). I get that there isn't time to cover everything but I worry that way too much is being left out. I am just worried that I am not being prepared for the future. I might be overreacting so I am sorry if I seem over-dramatic lol.

Does anyone have any advice?

[umbdude, MSN, APRN]

You have to get used to this. Most of my nursing professors don't cover all of the assigned readings. There's simply too much material. Most of the learning can be done on your own or with peers and it's very doable. Read and read, then test yourself using practice questions.

[cracklingkraken, ASN, RN]

Study what you don't cover on your own.

As PP said, it's impossible to go over everything you'll need to know as a nurse in nursing school. But knowing the things commonly seen, and knowing especially the meaning of roots, can help you rationalize some things that you may not heard of.

I hope that made sense. Things that make sense to me seem to not make sense to others.

[windsurfer8, BSN, RN]

Complete the class as directed. Yes you are learning the basics, but really you are building a good work ethic. As a nurse you will need to complete required tasks as ordered by the MD. You may not agree, but you need to complete them. Same in school. Do what you are assigned to do and do it with max effort. Work ethic stays with you for life. Not the second paragraph on page 327 from your patho book. You will be "prepared" if you learned to study hard and do what you are told to do.

[Purple_roses]

One of my instructors actually explained this. As others have said, it is simply impossible to cover everything in such a short span of time. Therefore, the instructors cover what you will be more likely to encounter in the field and also what will be more likely to be on the NCLEX. Some school also do Kaplan testing at the end of each semester, a test that ranks how students are doing nationally; the instructors receive feedback on missed questions and determine if there's more material they should be covering in lecture.

Look at your school's NCLEX pass rate as well. Is it good? If so, then chances are that your instructors are sufficiently covering necessary material.

I would also like to add that you are ultimately responsible for your education. Is there something you don't understand? Is there something that ties into lecture that you would like to know more about? Read about it. There is no rule that says you can only learn things covered in lecture.

[Kinda Flustered]

Thanks for all of the responses you guys they are very helpful. I planned on basically taking the profs notes and then expanding on them with info from the book.

Thanks again guys!

[Kinda Flustered]

It did make sense thank you so much!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I am just worried that I am not being prepared for the future.

I never took a pathophysiology course at any point during school. I've been a nurse for 10 years. I think you will be fine.

[JacAn001, BSN]

Start taking nclex style questions even if you get them wrong you can learn so much from the rationale given. I use you tube to fine lecture to watch when I feel I need that little bit more information

[pmabraham, BSN, RN]

This is common. There's only so much time at clinical, and at lecture for the instructors involved to teach everything that's important. That's why doing NCLEX questions, readings, etc. are so important.