If you're thinking about going to nursing school—or are already in a program—you’ll quickly find out there’s a lot to study and learning effective studying techniques will be crucial to your success. In this post, I’m going to give you my best tips and advice for studying while you are in your nursing program.

When I started my BSN program at Northeastern University back in 2013, I knew it would be challenging…but I didn’t know just how much it would require of me as far as balancing my work obligations, family life, and finding the time to study for my courses. 

Nursing school is a hands-on experience that requires you to be 100% committed to studying and learning. You’ll have a variety of complex assignments to complete throughout your time in the program, ranging from studying textbooks, case studies, care plans, clinical studies, group presentations, and research projects. 

Is Nursing School Hard?

Nursing school is challenging and fast-paced in order to prepare you for your nursing career—you would be hard-pressed to find any graduate who would say otherwise. Nursing is often a demanding job, requiring excellent critical thinking skills and dedication to your patients. 

Nursing school curriculum is very rigorous, but worth the effort. Depending on the school and specific type of nursing program, you can earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree in as little as 18 months.

How to Prepare for Nursing School Entrance Exams

Due to its demanding nature, many students feel as though nursing school consumes their life while they are enrolled. So, it is important to be prepared before getting started to set yourself up to succeed in your program. 

Most, but not all, nursing programs require an entrance exam, like the ATI TEAS or the HESI A2. After nursing school, I became a co-founder of Smart Edition Nursing, and we set out to help students pass their entrance exams.

Many schools are competitive, having far more applications than available seats in the program so doing well on your entrance exam is crucial. You can take free TEAS practice tests or free HESI A2 practice tests to get familiar with the test material, then seek out resources like study guides and TEAS or HESI online courses to get prepared for the actual test. 

Preparing Financially for Nursing School

When preparing for nursing school, I also recommend getting your finances squared away, and this can be accomplished a few different ways. 

First, you’ll want to develop a plan for how you're going to pay for school, whether that be federal or private loans, scholarships, your own savings, or some other method. Second, you’ll need to consider your own personal finances if you’re not going to be working full-time, and make sure you have a plan for how to pay your living expenses while attending school. The last thing you want is to be stressed about your finances as a student. 

Developing good study and lifestyle habits is key as you prepare for your upcoming course load. Eating healthy, exercising, getting as much quality sleep, and engaging in self-care activities will make a huge difference. Burnout is a common experience while in nursing school, so figure out what helps you relax and take the time to do things that make you feel recharged. 

How to Study for Nursing School

Here are my essential tips when it comes to studying for nursing school. By following these suggestions, you’ll reduce stress and feel more prepared for your new nursing career. 

1. Create an Effective Study Schedule

This is a common struggle for students, so creating an effective study schedule will be essential for success in your program. You will have a lot to study—there’s no way around that. You will have to study a lot, but shorter study sessions tend to be more effective than studying for long stretches. You’ll retain more information when you study for shorter, more frequent periods. 

I also recommend revisiting the material you are studying several times throughout a given period. When I would study a topic and not revisit it later, I would find I forgot a lot of information. However, when I would come back to it for a quick review every few days or so, it would make it fresh in my brain and I would retain the information for longer. 

2. Craft a Study Space Free from Distractions

It’s really helpful to treat your study time like a work-from-home job. Turn off your phone and TV so you don't get distracted. Ensure your family and friends know that you have specific times set aside to study and aren't available for social activities during those times.

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3. Set Aside Time to Review Class Materials Daily

Instructors often assign chapters of your textbook to read each week. You may also have to review outside materials. Pay close attention to the material you read is crucial for your comprehension. One of the best ways to prepare is to concentrate on the topics the instructor emphasizes the most during class. 

It's a good idea to spend about an hour after each class to review the material while it's still fresh in your mind. Copy notes while they're fresh. It can be tempting to put off assignments for as long as possible, but it’s worth it to begin any new assignments as soon after class as possible.

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4. Get a Head Start on NCLEX-RN Preparation

The NCLEX exam is an adaptive test consisting of a minimum of 75 questions that students must pass in order to become a licensed nurse. It’s never too early to start studying for the NCLEX. Online resources include NCLEX prep books, practice exams, YouTube lectures, and NCLEX groups on Facebook.

5. Establish a Study Group

One of the most helpful things I did in nursing school was joining a study group. I linked up with a few other students who lived nearby and it was really helpful to have the support of the group. I found I retained so much more of what I learned in class. 

My advice would be to keep it small, no more than 4-5 group members. Otherwise, it gets hard to schedule times to meet up, and sometimes the group may stray from staying on topic and focusing on the class materials.

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6. Maximize Your Productivity with the Pomodoro Technique

The Pomodoro Technique involves studying for intervals of 25 minutes and taking a five-minute break. I mentioned this earlier, but the shorter, more frequent studying really helped me in nursing school.

This method minimizes distractions, improves focus and motivation, prevents burnout from long cramming sessions, and improves accountability. The Pomodoro Technique also helps you create a work/rest balance and helps keep the brain engaged.

7. Employ Engaging Study Techniques

The most effective study techniques involve focusing on the material from each class in a way that you find most engaging. This is a similar concept to your preferred learning style, whether that be auditory, visual, or tactile. When possible, use the materials and resources available to you that match your learning style and keep you engaged the most.

One study technique that helped me was thinking about how the information I was learning would help the patients I was going to care for, rather than just memorizing the facts. 

FAQ

1. How many hours a day should you study in nursing school?

Many academics recommend studying two hours for every hour of class. If you're a full-time student, this means you'll need to set aside 24 hours each week for studying.

2. What classes do you take in nursing school?

The core of a two-year nursing program to be licensed as a registered nurse (RN) usually includes clinical rotations, nursing principles, general psychology, microbiology, and psychology courses. Some schools include clinical externship and internship RN programs.

3. What GPA should I have for nursing school?

A 3.5 GPA is a good score, but working toward a higher GPA will give you an advantage in the application process.

‍Melissa Wynne, CPNP-PC, co-founded Smart Edition Nursing in 2018. She holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in nursing from Northeastern University in Boston. Melissa currently works as a pediatric nurse practitioner at Gulf Stream School in Gulf Stream, Florida.