Nursing is a competitive field. It requires genuine passion and determination to succeed in nursing school and commence your professional journey to provide care for others. Although it’s an incredibly exciting and fulfilling career path, it can be overwhelming at times. The evidence lies in the statistics: The National League for Nursing notes a 20% dropout rate for nursing programs in the United States, which is high compared to other educational paths. Simply stated, nursing school is not for the faint of heart, but don’t let that discourage you. The benefits of becoming a nurse far outweigh the challenges.
For instance, new nurses can anticipate a very positive job outlook as hospitals and care facilities consistently need more assistance. Nurses play one of the most crucial roles in hospitals and society, uniquely positioned to care for patients on physical and emotional levels. Nurses also enjoy an excellent salary, opportunities for career advancement, the option to travel for work, daily variety, and high job satisfaction.
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Nursing school might be challenging, but there are numerous effective ways to make it somewhat easier. Continue reading for 12 tried-and-true study tips that will help you excel in nursing school.
1. Form a Study Group
Collaborative learning in small groups is a proven method for undergraduate nursing students to acquire new skills and theoretical concepts. Connect with some of your classmates and schedule a weekly or biweekly meet-up. This provides a great opportunity for knowledge-sharing to review concepts you’re not entirely confident about. It also acts as a scheduled block for study time, allowing you and your classmates to hold each other accountable to complete assignments.
2. Know How You Best Learn
People have different learning styles. Understanding how you learn best will significantly benefit you in earning your nursing degree. By now, you should have some insights into your most effective learning methods. Are you a visual learner or an auditory learner? Do you learn best through reading and writing or kinesthetic methods? If uncertain, take some time to reflect or seek guidance from former teachers or mentors to set yourself up for success in your chosen nursing specialty.
3. Consider Studying with a Tutor
Some students benefit from personalized, one-on-one learning. A tutor can make a positive impact on your performance in school, especially if you have a busy schedule. Regular meetings with a tutor provide scheduled time to go over skills or concepts you need more assistance with.
4. Don’t Hesitate to Ask for Help
Confucius said, “The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute. The man who does not ask is a fool for life.” Your professors are experts in their field and want to help you succeed. Therefore, nursing school is the ideal time to ask as many questions as possible. If you feel hesitant during class, connect with your professor during office hours for additional help or resources.
5. Take a Break
Burnout poses a significant threat to nurses and nursing students. A study by Nursing CE Central found that 95% of surveyed nurses across the country reported feelings of burnout in their jobs. It’s wise to recognize when you need breaks during rigorous studying, as it prepares you for a busy nursing career. Nursing school is the perfect time to practice taking breaks and understanding your capacity as both a student and a future nurse. Some excellent ways to take a break include walking your dog, practicing yoga, taking a nap, or engaging in a workout to get your blood pumping.
6. Follow Your Study Guide
Study guides serve as your guiding star in nursing school. To ensure success, adhere to the timeline in your syllabus and the materials outlined in your study guide. This is the best approach to enter exam day with full confidence that you know the course material thoroughly. If robust study guides are not provided, you can use an online template to navigate through the coursework.
Study a Little Every Day
You don’t have to stay up all night to succeed in nursing school. Spending just twenty minutes studying every day can make a big difference and relieve a lot of pressure in the long run. Breaking down your studies in short sessions helps reduce stress and positions you well for success. Regular, spaced practice allows your brain to connect ideas and build on existing knowledge, making it easier to recall information later.
Focus on Using Downtime for Studying
Think about how much time you spend scrolling through your phone or binge-watching Netflix every day. While it’s crucial to set aside time for rest to avoid burnout, be mindful of activities that distract you from your studies. The years you invest in earning your BSN will require focus, so maintaining discipline and putting major time-wasting activities on hold to prioritize studying is essential.
Reward Yourself
Set realistic goals for yourself. When you achieve them, reward yourself with activities like hanging out with friends or treating yourself to your favorite restaurant. This creates an incentive to concentrate on your studies and helps prevent procrastination. Nursing school is challenging, so don’t forget to acknowledge your accomplishments along the way.
Prepare Before Assignments or Tests
Nothing is more disappointing than realizing you could have prepared better on the day of an exam. To avoid this, stay on top of your coursework and, before submitting assignments or taking tests, take some time to review your work or study materials.
Avoid Last-Minute Studying
Procrastinating is a guaranteed way to stress yourself out and potentially receive low scores. Delaying your studies until the last minute may even put you at risk of failing your BSN program. It’s essential to steer clear of studying on the day of the exam, as absorbing information becomes unlikely. Nursing school is already stressful; don’t make it tougher on yourself by cramming the material at the last minute.
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