[dimples2515]

Right now I am in my second semester of Nursing school and I am about to graduate with my LPN. I will start the RN program in the summer and it lasts 3 semesters so I will graduate with that next May (hopefully). The reason that I am writing is because I am having problems with motivating myself to study. Right now I have been just "getting by." I go to class, but I hardly take any time outside of class to study. I get by with studying the night before a test and this worries me. Does anyone have any tips on how to motivate myself? I want to graduate with confidence and I want to be a smart nurse, I am just having troubles with motivation. Can anyone help?

[cougarnurse]

Hi, Dimples! I know what you mean about studying. Have you ever considered looking over your notes while waiting for dinner to finish cooking? Or set a certain time to study...about an hour or two before you go to sleep. (Hey, sometimes I've put myself to sleep, studying!)

I am sure others will have some ideas. Hope you stop by often!

'Cat'

[mytoon38]

Hi Dimples,

I was an LPN for years and finally got my RN about 2 years ago. My big motivation was that I worked in a Well-baby Nsy and Level 2 NICU. I was doing the EXACT same jobs as the RN's, but making a lot less money! So my motivation came when my RN co-worker showed me her pay stub for 2 weeks and I looked at mine and saw a lot less money! I just knew then I would make it and I did! I know it is difficult to study, but it will be well worth it in the end! You will have a lot more opportunities as a RN, and the pay will be much better!

Hope that helps!

[NavyJim58]

in Motivation do you mean the "will" to study or study tips? If you don't study you probably won't make unless you have a patch adams type brain.

Studying comes hard to me also but my advice would be to use the start and reward approach. Don't wait to start your studying or homework. sit down at your computer and do the first page. then take a break and do what you want. go back later and work some more. set goals like a page at a time or a paragraph at a time. than reward yourself. eventually when you are on a roll the work will go faster with less breaks.

good luck

[gracie1]

Dimples, I understand exactly where you are coming from. I went straight from LVN school to RN school. I had small children, my husband was a long haul driver and after the first year of RN school I felt I was truely losing my sanity. I quite the RN program and focused on my family and self. I worked a wide variety of jobs, and ended up at a teaching, level 1 trauma facility. The staff was very encouraging and convinced me the time had come to complete my education. I was accepted into an atriculation program that got me my RN in 1 year, and I haven't regretted it. Now don't take this as advice to quite school. I know many LVNs who stopped and never went back who would be great RNs. All I am saying is that many times we overlook our own needs and mental health in pursuit advancement. We must never overlook this. I wish you all the luck in the world.

[AmandaWIRN]

When I was in school, I usually found a classmate or group of people to study with. Not only can you share ideas, help eachother out, & quiz eachother, but knowing that someone else is counting on you helps to motivate you to study. If you schedule study times with eachother, it's harder to back out of, so it kind of forces you to study.

[Lily78]

Damn, I used to HATE STUDYING!! In fact, I did the same thing you do- procrastinate, then just study the night before the exam. Well, sure I barely got by in a couple of the more difficult classes, but I did pass!

In the clinical setting, I was always confused, not because I hadn't aced the textbook exams, but because I just had no experience in any job of any kind.

Nearly everything I know about my job, I learned ON THE JOB. I got a job at a teaching hospital right after graduation, and thats where I learned EVERYTHING.

My point is, don't feel bad if you aren't making straight A's. Or B's. The best thing you can do is fine yourself a post-grad internship at a teaching hospital (I find they are most supportive for young nurses and doctors- everyone learned together). Thats where you really learn to become a "good" nurse.

[hsieh]

well if u grad in dec or nov then u have till the summer to get a break from school. u need a break from school. you will be ready again by summer.

[MRS. ERNURSE]

I agree with AmandaWIRN. I would've had the same problem but was blessed with studying with a friend who was anal about studying.....she would even call me up and ask me if I read the chapter yet "you better get on it honey! We need to be prepared and you need to be over here for study group tomorrow at such and such time!" Her ever lasting quote "If you want to get a B then you need to study for an A" and that I did and ended up with B's, for the first time in my acedemic history (C's before). Before, I never knew how to apply myself or to have self disapline for good study habits. God bless that friend for pushing me through nursing school, all the tears and sleepless nights were so worth it. Zari, if you ever come across this message board, I just want to say thank you.

I think we all have been there, good luck to you.
Theresa Satton, ER RN
Tehachapi, CA.

[syudent1010@aol.com]

Dimples2515,
I don't know if you want study habit techniques or just ways to keep motivated about school. I agree with alot of what the others have said, you don't really learn all of the skills you need in the classroom, you learn them by doing them in clinicals and by being a nurse. I myself graduate from a BSN program in less than a month. I have taken the long difficult road to get to this point, and there were many times when I wasn't motivated and was wondering what I got myself into. When I had these times I just thought about the reasons I truly wanted to be a nurse and to ask myself if it was worth all I had to go thru, the answer was always yes. I think if the answer is no then you need to quit before it's too late. Being a nurse to me is about your attitude towards nursing and this can't be taught in school. I also would just tell myself that school is just a short time in my life and I will have the rest of my life to enjoy being with my family and friends, because to do well in a BSN program you have to give up time with family and friends usually to study. The reality is that you can't be a nurse unless you graduate, so you need to do whatever it takes to graduate. Many RN programs are getting stricter with what grades are acceptable (usually must be above 75 at least), so you have to meet pretty high standards in RN programs, I don't know what standards LPN programs have. I also would suggest surronding yourself with other nursing students, so you can support each other thru difficult times, cause you will have them! Good luck and hang in there, it will all be worth it.