Flash cards can be a helpful way to learn basic nursing terms, identification of anatomy and medical terminology. Quizlet.com offers thousands of nursing flash cards created by other users studying in the nursing field, and you can access online flashcards on a variety of areas within nursing. You can also find traditional flash cards geared toward the study of nursing from your local bookstore or provider of nursing-study materials. If you need a more interactive flash card experience, make cards that cover the material you need to learn such as diseases and conditions with their treatments, signs and symptoms and diagnostic tests. Creating the cards will help the information imprint on your memory even before you begin using them.
Nurse-mentoring programs can be an invaluable resource to help you learn and absorb the nursing information you need. TopNursingStudent.com provides an Internet-based mentoring system designed around the use of PDF files, audio files and online video to provide access to pathology study aids, NCLEX testing resources and nursing study aids. The information is presented in an interactive format that represents everyday nursing situations and lets you apply the skills and knowledge of the classroom into real-world situations. You can also try a one-on-one mentoring program with a senior nurse in your school's nursing department or on the job. Request the opportunity to ask questions and shadow your mentor on rotation so you have the chance to learn outside a classroom or nursing textbook.
If your nursing course ends in a test of any kind, it can be helpful to incorporate practice tests into your study routine. Many nursing textbooks include practice tests at the back of the book or at the end of each section. The test allows you to see how well you retained the material from the chapter or unit and decide whether there might be areas that require additional study. If you are studying for your nursing license, you can find practice NCLEX tests online, or you can purchase a study guide from the bookstore that typically includes a practice exam to help you prepare for the examination.