Nursing school can be challenging. In fact, a 2018 study in the UK determined that more than 25% of nursing school students drop out entirely [1]. Why do so many students bail out on their nursing degrees? One big reason is that they feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of material they need to learn.
It's understandable—but also unnecessary. If you find yourself struggling, don't pull the ripcord on your dream. Instead, grab a pen and some index cards. You're about to make one of the most valuable “secret weapon” study aids on the planet: medication cards, also known as drug cards.
How to use drug cards for Nursing School
Drug cards are just like the flash cards you probably used to learn math and spelling back in grade school—but this time, you're learning medication instead of multiplication. Here's all you have to do:
Every time you learn about a different medication, pull out a blank index card and write the following bits of information on it:
- Name of the Medication/Drug (put this at the top … or even by itself on the flip side.)
- Ailment(s) treated
- Dosage
- Route
- Site of action
- Side effects
- Precautions
After that, just add the card to your deck and make a point to review the cards and quiz yourself whenever you can. Try to reach a point at which you can look at a single line, particularly the name or the ailment treated, and recite all the other information on the card. You'll embed the data in your mental memory banks in no time.
You can organize your cards randomly, according to drug classification, or even by disease managed. We'd also recommend starting off with the most commonly prescribed meds in a given category and expanding from there as you memorize your existing cards. Also, if you're partnering with Achieve to further your studies, our instructors can help you prepare the cards and give you advice on which medications to include.
The best thing about medication cards is that they come in handy time and time again. You can use them to study for not just one, but most every exam throughout your entire LPN to RN bridge program, and even when preparing for the CPNE and NCLEX exams. In fact, medication cards often come in handy even after graduation. Many health care facilities require applicants to pass a pharmacology test—and guess what study aid will help you handle that situation with ease? You guessed it.
Drug cards. A simple idea? Definitely. But do they work? Absolutely.
To learn more about medication cards and other study aids, LPN to RN bridge programs, or online nursing programs in general, contact Achieve Test Prep today.
*This post has been updated and republished.
