Study Tips for NP Students
Find NP Schools
For the latest academic year, we have over 180 NP schools in our database and those that advertise with us are labeled “sponsor”. When you click on a sponsoring school or program, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details.
Starting NP school requires many hours of reading and studying for exams. Students should determine their learning style: visual, auditory, or kinesthetic. One NP student may learn better by listening to lectures, while another may learn better by reading textbook content. NP school can be challenging because students are expected to learn to make clinical decisions independently and defend their clinical reasoning in discussion posts and case presentations.
Time management is crucial because it gives NP students quality study time. NP students balance working as a nurse, clinical rotations, and studying. They should block out specific times to focus on studying. Students should study little by little, instead of all at once at the last minute. This allows them to concentrate and retain information long-term. NP students can prepare for exams through reading and writing, reviewing PowerPoint slides, watching videos, and joining study groups. Other creative ways to study and retain information include making concept maps, mnemonics, and flashcards.
Reading and Writing
To prepare for tests, students should read relevant textbook chapters and write notes. Read and write learners usually learn best by reading and writing the information down. They rely on reading to understand and learn. They may have trouble understanding information through other vehicles such as videos or lectures. These types of students need to practice active reading, which is comprehending the text and critical thinking through each concept. Simply reading and re-reading textbooks is not an effective way to learn.
NP students can highlight key words or phrases, so they are able to return to it later for review. They can make annotations in the margins. They can write a summary of what they just read in their own words rather than just copying. Students can practice test questions by using their textbook and notes. Read-and-write learners typically like to study by themselves.
Review PowerPoints
Most professors use PowerPoint presentations to discuss various subjects in their course. These presentations typically outline the most important material. It helps NP students use these PowerPoints as a guideline when preparing for exams. In class, they can take extra notes on what their professor expands on. NP students should pay close attention to their professors’ specific teaching and testing styles. Some are more likely to test specifically on material taught in class, while others may emphasize specific details from the textbook.
Studying from PowerPoint slides is most effective when students use active recall instead of just passively rereading. They can use the PowerPoint slides to help answer questions on practice tests. Students can use PowerPoint information to help create flashcards or concept maps. If the PowerPoint slides are too concise, NP students should use them as an outline and analog to their textbook.
Videos
Educational videos can be a significant content-delivery tool in many courses. They help both visual and auditory learners. Some classes, such as health assessment, may provide videos to watch alongside the textbook. NP students can watch these videos to see how a thorough physical exam is performed. Merely watching videos may feel productive, but students should focus on taking notes while watching. They can use examples from the videos and think about how they apply to real-life scenarios. It can be advantageous to use subtitles when watching videos, as this can help with memory recall.
Videos are a great way to review content material and prepare for quizzes or tests. Nowadays, YouTube is the number one platform for education. There are tons of videos out there on all subjects. NP students can find videos on pathophysiology, anatomy and physiology, and other relevant fields.
Watching videos on YouTube is a highly effective way to master complex concepts outside of the classroom. According to a research study, Nursing Students’ Perceptions of Using YouTube to Teach Psychomotor Skills: A Comparative Pilot Study, 100 percent of nursing students reported YouTube videos increased their learning and better prepared them for their program. YouTube has been shown to expand skill acquisition and integrate technology into a nursing program.
Study Groups
Scheduling group study sessions will keep NP students accountable and motivated. Study groups are most effective when they include students committed to succeeding and earning good grades. Regular study sessions will promote retention of content. Instead of merely memorizing words, students can discuss how they will apply what they learn in nursing practice. Study groups can help students better understand the subject matter, since classmates may have different notes or interpretations. Classmates can share notes and study guides with each other. Additionally, it can help to complete practice questions together and talk through each response.
Study groups provide the opportunity for the teach-back method. Students can explain complex concepts to their peers. By explaining concepts, they will understand them better. The ideal study group is about three to six students, to ensure everyone has a chance to participate. They ideally meet for one to three hours at a time. Students should review the subject matter before the study session so they can focus on asking questions instead of just learning the basics. By showing up prepared, students are familiar with which areas they are having difficulty with.
Concept Maps
Concept maps for studying are a unique tool. They are helpful for students who are visual learners. This tool visually shows the relationships between different ideas. Concept maps break down complex subjects into simple parts, simplify relationships between ideas, and strengthen memory retention.
By creating concept maps, NP students can visualize the map in their mind while taking their test. Concept maps promote critical thinking and deeper engagement with topics. They help arrange thoughts and connect new ideas. They can be in the form of a process map that shows step-by-step flow; a cause-and-effect map that shows how one notion leads to another; a network that is a web of interconnected ideas; or a hierarchy that shows general ideas at the top and specific ones below it. Concept maps are ideal for quick reviews and exam preparation.
A useful example of how to use a concept map is in pharmacology. The center of the map would be the classification of the drug, such as Beta Blockers. The stems can include side effects, common medication names, and specific instructions to remember about these drugs. Students can use paper or a whiteboard to create the concept map. Digital tools such as MindMeister and Coggle can also generate creative mind maps.
Mnemonics
Mnemonics are intelligent learning techniques used to improve memory. They aid retrieval and improve thinking ability. Mnemonics can be in the form of acronyms, visual images, or brief phrases. They link difficult-to-remember concepts to more familiar, easy-to-recall patterns. By creating associations, mnemonics make it easier to remember information and order.
In medicine, there is a plethora of information out there, making it impossible to remember everything. However, mnemonics can help you recall information. For instance, to remember the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia, a student can use the mnemonic TIRED from Pharmacology Made Insanely Easy. The mnemonic would be: Tachycardia Irritability Restlessness Excessive Hunger Diaphoresis.
Practicing reciting and writing out the mnemonics will help students remember information. This is relevant for test-taking and in real-life clinical scenarios. NP students can use mnemonics to retain information long-term and make fast, safe decisions in high-stress clinical environments.
Flash Cards
Using flash cards is very effective for active recall and long-term memory. It allows students to practice retrieving and recalling information. They are a great tool for memorizing facts, definitions, or short pieces of information. Flashcards are easy to make, and since they are portable, students can bring them anywhere. Writing flashcards by hand is beneficial because the process itself acts as a study session. Students can also create digital flash cards through platforms such as Quizlet and Brainscape.
When creating flash cards, NP students should keep it simple. Stick to concise information on each card. Add visuals when possible, such as concept maps or mnemonics. Students can incorporate concrete examples into these flashcards as well. It helps to say answers out loud before flipping the card to stay accountable and remember when they were wrong. Color-coding flashcards, such as using different inks or colored cards, can help group ideas and support concept recall.
Sophia Khawly, MSN
WriterSophia Khawly is a traveling nurse practitioner from Miami, Florida. She has been a nurse for 14 years and has worked in nine different states. She likes to travel in her spare time and has visited over 40 countries.
Being a traveling nurse practitioner allows her to combine her love of learning, travel, and serving others. Learn more about Sophia at www.travelingNP.com.