First, looking at your profile, it shows you are a CNA. To learn something new and complicated, you should try to start with a clean slate. In short, approach the subject as if you know absolutely nothing about it. Read the entire text chapter, every single word of it. Reread it at least once. Then answer the review questions at the end of the chapter. If unable to answer every question, then reread the chapter again.

And using your request here as a chance to address an ongoing set of discussions on NL, and assuming you have at least a little CNA experience, one should realize that the approach to medicine by a CNA and by a RN are way different. The responsibilites of the 2 groups are far different. The RN knows this instinctively. I am not sure the CNA does.

Patient care to the RN is seeing the complete picture. By this I mean the entire picture of this patient - their disease process, their overall medical history, their lab results both present and past, their support systems, their nutritional needs and demands, their spiritual support systems and far more. Nursing schools at present seem to stress learning and using critical thinking skills which I heartily endorse. This precludes rote memorization and recall of a given subject.

As a last recommendation I might suggest a study group. Surely there are others in your place at your school. While I never used a study group I do know they work for some others. It might be worth a try. Advertise on a bulletin board at the SUB or in the nursing program buildings. Talk to your present instructors and ask for their advice. A request for others for a study group can easily be anonymous nowadays. Simply state what you are trying to do (assemble a study group for your class level) and ask for replies to a throwaway e-mail account.

I wish you luck. Nursing school can be hard.

YOU sound like you are experiencing a self fulfilling prophesy.. WEB DuBois said it well " Situations defined as real become real in their consequences.

You really only have to change your mind set.....You're a bit gun-shy becuase of past experiences with tests...This is not rocket science...

Might I suggest doing NOTHING but study...every spare minute you have, read, re-read and re-read the material... Record the lectures as you might be an aural learner as I am.

No TV no MOVIES.. no NOTHING before a test.

Study right before bed and allow sleep assimilation of the material to take place.

Caffiene before the test is sometimes helpful.

Study groups might help... BUT get an RN, if you know one, to help you study.. they might be able to separate the wheat from the chaff as far as prioritizing concepts.

When I was studying for my CRNA boards I had a CRNA quiz me on the material out of a study guide....

I agree with every thing the others have said. School is some times more harder for some. I barley made it. Key word is study, study with a friend. Remember prayer never hurts.

Hi, I'm not a student as of yet, but I can relate to really not wanting to give up. I plan on attending nursing school and I'm not the smartest to say the least but I have been a cna for over 25 yrs and I have to say that in the back of my mind I always wanted to be a nurse and felt like I could be a darn good one, but fear is what has kept me from a dream I guess. Now that I'm older I want to just try and go with it! however, still a little afraid I won't be good enough to make the grades. Each of you have gave real good advice and I hope and pray that all of us who want so bad to be RN's can make that move and get beyond the obsticals that stand in our way of what we want to accomplish in life. I wish you all the very best, and thanks again for the information I really needed.

This was encouraging insight.  I am getting ready to finish my prerequisites to switch over to an AS degree and then will apply for the BA RN program.  If not accepted I will do the LPN program and then transition to the RN program.  I am currently unemployed after 10 years with Verizon Business and divorced after 13 years as of August 2009.  This will be a new start for me and I to have many fears that I will not have the "smarts" to accomplish this.  I have the desire though to believe that you can start over at any age. ( I am 41). I thank you for these blogs and I personally hold onto my faith in Jesus Christ as well that this verse from Philippians 4:13- 13 For I can do everything through Christ,[a] who gives me strength.   

I had some ill feelings about nursing school, not to say I'm a negative person.. because I'm not, I just went on and signed up at a community college and I start my prerec's this fall, and I feel I have to just do the best  I can and if I need help, I will "ask somebody" because if you made it thus far you can do it! Please don't give up on yourself, get help from some where or somebody. Keep on telling yourself you want it.. do whatever it take's to get where you need to be. I have read most of these post and I feel people in here really care about how you feel because the most have been where you are going and they are offering some real good advice to those of us who think that we can't, when if we dig deep and hard enough.. we can. I hope you continue on.. God bless you ! just don't give up.