It is vital for nursing students to understand various aspects of a disease or disorder. This helps you make sense of the modes of treatment, interventions and practices used in treating a particular condition. Attend theory classes regularly and pay attention to what the instructors say. Read from textbooks, the Internet and scientific publications to learn more about the theoretical aspects of a particular condition. Use mnemonics to memorize information lists such as anatomical arrangements of body systems, physiological processes, symptoms of diseases and treatment regimens.
The goal of nursing education is not merely to have a sound theoretical base but to be able to adapt this knowledge in real-life situations. It is therefore important to focus on the practical and clinical aspects of interventional procedures and therapy. Pay attention to diagnostic tests, get familiar with laboratory values for disease conditions and learn to recognize what out-of-range values indicate. Use every possible opportunity to gain hands-on experience. Understand and follow procedural protocols and get your doubts clarified. Assist your supervising nurse in taking vitals, be observant of patients' conditions, and provide relevant feedback to your supervisor.
Patient care is becoming increasingly technology-based. It is therefore vital to increase your working knowledge of software used in diagnostic imaging, patient care management and reporting. Get familiar with the use of information technology in accessing and reporting patient information using the Electronic Health Record system. Participate in various online nursing forums and communicate with other professionals to gain insight into practical critical thinking and decision making that is involved in taking care of patients.
To obtain a nursing license, you need to clear the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). This exam evaluates not just your theoretical knowledge of nursing care but also your ability to apply information to actual patient care in different scenarios. Rather than cram for the exam at short notice, it is simpler to focus on learning all that the nursing program prescribes for every course you take during every year of your degree. This ensures that you already have a strong understanding of the fundamentals and preparing for the NCLEX becomes a mere revision of these concepts.