Passion is vital and leads to a deep dedication and commitment to studying to achieve career objectives. Many nursing students are focused only on becoming a nurse. Developing a single-mindedness about what you want to do and when you want to accomplish your goal is paramount. Very rarely does a person see a nursing student taking on a dual major that is not associated with nursing, or making excuses as to why there is not enough time to attend class and study. Nursing students have a vision and passion for what they want to do. Many of them purposely sacrifice personal time and money just to achieve the future they see for themselves.
Nursing students practice sticking to their daily schedules; this develops competent time management skills. Nursing students invest in a schedule planner, which helps them to keep track of important deadlines such as completing research for project deadlines, studying for exams and getting adequate rest in order to stay attentive during clinical rotations. Honing time management skills as a nursing student is critical for juggling various responsibilities as a future professional nurse. Handling multiple distractions such as dealing with unruly patients, deciphering numerous commands from doctors, comforting nervous parents of sick children and attending to the patient list for the current shift will not cause frustration because of polished time management skills.
Nursing students utilize three key techniques for breaking down textbook information and class lectures; they take comprehensive notes, tape-record class lectures and create study flash cards. Taping class lectures is an added security measure just in case the notes taken in class have gaps. Professors and visiting lecturers convey a lot of information in one class period. Taking notes helps students stay awake and outline the lecture information as it is presented in class. Nursing students create flash cards to study for exams. It is a quick way to study the most important information for tests such as lists of diseases, diagnostic tests and treatments.
Nursing students attend class regularly, ask questions to clarify confusing information and study in groups. These study skills help nursing students become critical thinkers and problem solvers. Not being afraid to ask the instructor or fellow students questions shows a willingness to learn and take advice. When they become professional nurses, practicing punctuality, asking questions and working with others may save patients' lives.