Study Skills for Nursing
JILL ENSMINGER RN, MSN
Something to Think About
 I hear it
 I forget it;
 I see it
 I remember it;
 I do it;
 I understand it
Seven Learning Styles
 Visual- (spatial)
 Aural- (auditory-musical)
 Verbal- (linguistic)
 Physical- (kinesthetic)
 Logical-(mathematic)
 Social-(interpersonal)
 Solitary- (interpersonal) is solitary intrapersonal
Websites to Assess your Learning Style
 http://www.educationplanner.org/stud
ents/self-assessments/learning-stylesquiz.shtml
 http://www.how-tostudy.com/learning-style-assessment/
Where do you start?
 Apply the nursing process
Assess
your learning style
Create a plan that is individualized
Set goals that are realistic measurable
Evaluate the effectiveness to modify
as needed
What resources do you have?
 Kaplan
 The Point
 Moodle
 Khan Academy
 Pinterest
 Medscape
 You Tube
 Resource Books
 Librarian
Time Management
 Where is your time spent?
 What are your must do’s?
 How do you make the most of your time?
 How do you learn the best?
 How can you multitask?
Group Study Session
 Create goals
 Make a plan that works for everyone
 Take breaks
 Be aware of distractors
 Work together
 Share resources
 Make promises
 Come prepared
Individualize Your Study Plan
 What kind of learner are you?
 What are your other responsibilities?
 Do you have children?
 What resources do you have access to?
Basic Study Plan
 Look at objectives
 Seek out information to answer
objectives
 Create active learning strategy
 Utilize resources
 Answer questions
 Evaluate
Plan For Student A
 Plans one hour after class based on
available time
 Reads
objectives
 Reads power points
 Reads text
 Takes 10 Kaplan questions
 Looks at power points again night before
the exam
Plan for Student B
 Reads objectives
 Seeks out answers to objectives
 Create tool for learning
 Watches you tube video
 Listens to lecture in the car
 Answers Kaplan questions
 Visits skills lab to practice skills
Documentation
 Read objectives
 Reads key points in text and charts highlighted
 Creates tool
 Answers questions on The Point/ Kaplan
 Watches you tube video
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1V6PAFHOJis
 Look at documentation examples
 Create a nurses note
 Evaluates
Let’s Create Your Plan
 A few things to remember
 Most material should be covered three times
 Prior to class time
 During class
 After class
 Need to plan based on your need
 Focus on things you least understand first
 Look at all content covered
 Evaluate all content and prioritize your need
 Need to find out the how and the when
 Create calendar with specifics
Lets take a closer look
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesda Thursday
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Friday
Saturday
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Creating a Tool
 Diagram
 Concept map
 Chart
 Video
 Power point
 Picture display
Diagram
Diagram
Diagram
Concept Map
Chart
Video
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBmRS59ouFo
Power Point
Picture Display
It All Comes Down to Test Taking
 Testing provides the following
information
 Demonstrates
knowledge retained
 Clinical thinking
 Judgment
 Safe practicing
 Ability to pass NCLEX
Reducing Test Taking Anxiety
 Come prepared
 Avoid pre test conversation
 Wear ear plugs
 Manage time
 Pick appropriate seat for yourself
Test Taking
Read
the question
Cover distractors
Write down first word comes to mind
Match to find the answer
Tools
 What's the topic?
 Assessment vs. Implementation
 Think about MASLOW
 ABC's
 What's the outcome?
Test Taking
 Read the question
 Look for key words
 Look at the distractors
 Read using each distractor
 Omit distractors
 Pick best answer
Example Question
 A nurse is caring for a patient who has had
surgery. The nurse monitors this patient for
which of the following postoperative
complications?
 Hunger
 Impaired wound healing
 Hemorrhage
 Gas pains
Example Question
 Gas pains are a common post operative
discomfort. Which of the following nursing
actions implemented in the plan of care
would be the most likely to relieve gas
pains?
 Cough and deep breathe every 2 hours
 Maintain NPO for 48 hours
 Encourage frequent ambulation
 Take vital signs every 4 hours
Example Question
 A patient age 16 was in an automobile accident
and received a wound across her nose and
cheek. After surgery to repair the wound the
patient states, “I am so ugly now”. Based on
this statement, what nursing diagnosis would
be most appropriate?
 Pain
 Impaired
skin integrity
 Disturbed body image
 Disturbed thought process
Conclusion
 Assess your learning
 Assess your time
 Create a plan
 Participate in active learning strategies
 Utilize resources
 Create learning tools
 Work together