1st Edition

Getting Ready for your Nursing Degree the studySMART guide to learning at university

By Victoria Boyd, Stephanie Mckendry Copyright 2012
    200 Pages
    by Routledge

    200 Pages
    by Routledge

    More and more people are considering a career in nursing or healthcare, but the thought of undertaking an academic degree at university can be intimidating. Whether you are moving straight from school or college or have been away from education for some time, Getting Ready for your Nursing Degree is essential preparation for anyone considering becoming or about to become a nursing student.

    It looks at all aspects of university work in a straightforward way and provides advice, examples and activities designed to help you get the most out of classes, research and assessments, from your first lecture right through to sitting exams and learning on placement.

    Designed with nursing students in mind, this small but perfectly formed guide is tailored to help you develop the skills you will need not only for your course but for your career and lifelong learning as a registered healthcare practitioner.

    Preface

    Publisher's acknowledgements

    Chapter 1 – Taking the obs

    Introduction

    The role of confidence and your past experiences

    Activity 1.1

    Activity 1.2

    Confidence, effort and ability - two points of view

    Evaluating your current skills

    Activity 1.3

    Activity 1.4

    Translating university language

    A quick phrasebook

    What to take from this chapter

    Reflective questions

    Further support

    Feedback

     

    Chapter 2 – Learning to learn: life as a student nurse

    Introduction

    The student nurse experience

    Success at university - becoming an independent learner

    What skills do you need for university?

    Activity 2.1

    Myths and misunderstandings about university

    Your life as a student - are you ready?

    Activity 2.2

    Activity 2.3

    Activity 2.4

    What to take from this chapter

    Reflective questions

    Further support

    Feedback

    Chapter 3 – Getting ready for classes

    Introduction

    Classes at university

    Lectures

    Activity 3.1

    Note-taking

    Activity 3.2

    Tutorials and seminars

    Placement learning

    What to take from this chapter

    Reflective questions

    Further support

    Feedback

     

    Chapter 4 – Getting ready to find resources

    Introduction

    Why do I need to find resources?

    Types of resources

    How do I know I’m reading the right stuff?

    Activity 4.1

    Activity 4.2

    Why take notes?

    Your own strategy for reading and note-taking

    What to take from this chapter

    Reflective questions

    Further support

    Feedback

     

    Chapter 5 – Getting ready for academic writing

    Introduction

    Academic writing conventions

    Activity 5.1

    Features of academic writing

    Activity 5.2

    Evidence and referencing

    Activity 5.3

    The Goldilocks approach to vocabulary and tone

    Activity 5.4

    Common mistakes in academic writing

    Why do I have to spend so much time developing my writing?

    Activity 5.5

    What to take from this chapter

    Reflective questions

    Further support

    Feedback

     

    Chapter 6 – Getting ready for the essay writing process

    Introduction

    The essay writing process

    Activity 6.1

    Stage one: analyse the question

    Stage two: get content and plan

    Stage three: put it together

    Activity 6.2

    Stage four: edit

    Activity 6.3

    Common mistakes in essay writing

    What to take from this chapter

    Reflective questions

    Further support

    Feedback

     

    Chapter 7 – Getting ready for exams

    Introduction

    Examining exams

    Revision techniques

    Activity 7.1

    The revision process

    Activity 7.2

    Exam strategies

    Coping with nerves

    Resits

    Handling feedback

    What to take from this chapter

    Reflective questions

    Further support

    Feedback

     

    Chapter 8 – Getting ready for other assessments

    Introduction

    Reflective assessments

    Activity 8.1

    Activity 8.2

    Presentations

    Group work

    Activity 8.3

    What to take from this chapter

    Reflective questions

    Further support

    Feedback

     

    Biography

    Victoria Boyd