Why is studying nursing different?
Nursing students carry two loads at once: science subjects and clinical practice. You are expected to know why a patient's blood pressure matters and also what to do about it on the ward. Studying the theory in isolation makes it harder to remember and harder to use.
- Ask 'what would I check or do for this patient?' after every topic.
- Turn each condition into a care chain that follows the nursing process, as described in Potter and Perry's Fundamentals of Nursing: assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, evaluation.
- Keep a small notebook of things you saw on placement and look them up the same day.
How should nursing students study anatomy and physiology?
Focus on function before detail. Know how the heart, lungs and kidneys keep the body stable, then add the structures. When you understand normal function, abnormal vital signs and lab values start to make sense on their own.
Draw simple diagrams from memory, explain a process out loud in two minutes, and check yourself against your notes. Our guide on how to study physiology by understanding, not memorising works well for nursing too.
How do I handle pharmacology?
Pharmacology feels huge because of the drug names. Learn drug classes first, not single drugs. For each class, write what it does, the key side effects to watch for, and the nursing checks before and after giving it.
- Group drugs by system: cardiac, respiratory, pain, antibiotics.
- Learn common name endings that hint at the class.
- Always pair a drug with its safety checks, since that is what nurses act on.
How do I study around clinical shifts?
Long shifts drain energy, so plan short, fixed sessions instead of waiting for free days. Twenty to forty focused minutes on shift days and longer blocks on off days keep you moving without exhaustion.
- Before a shift: review one topic linked to your ward.
- After a shift: write three things you learned and one question.
- On off days: practise questions and revise weak areas.
Which resources help most?
Use your lecture notes and recommended textbooks as the base, then add practice questions to test yourself. Short, clear summaries help you revise faster before exams. You can browse the Mojaz course catalogue by university, programme and study year to find material that matches your nursing modules.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours should a nursing student study per day?
There is no fixed number. Short, regular sessions on shift days and longer blocks on off days usually work better than occasional long cramming sessions.
What is the hardest subject in nursing school?
Many students find pharmacology and pathophysiology the most demanding. Learning drug classes and linking disease to normal physiology makes both easier.
Do I need to memorise everything in nursing?
No. Focus on understanding normal function and the reasons behind nursing actions. Memorise key facts with active recall once you understand the concept.
Test yourself
1. What is the correct order of the steps of the nursing process?
- A. Diagnosis, assessment, planning, evaluation, implementation
- B. Assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, evaluation
- C. Planning, assessment, diagnosis, implementation, evaluation
- D. Assessment, planning, diagnosis, evaluation, implementation
Show answer
Answer: B. Assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, evaluation. The nursing process starts with assessment, then diagnosis, planning, implementation and finally evaluation. Turning each condition into this care chain links theory to real patient care.
2. What is the recommended way for a nursing student to approach pharmacology?
- A. Memorise single drug names alphabetically
- B. Learn brand names first, then mechanisms later
- C. Leave pharmacology until the final weeks before exams
- D. Learn drug classes first, with key side effects and nursing checks
Show answer
Answer: D. Learn drug classes first, with key side effects and nursing checks. Learning drug classes first covers many drugs at once. Pairing each class with its side effects and the nursing checks before and after giving it matches what nurses actually act on.
3. A nursing student on long ward shifts studies only on free days in long cramming sessions and keeps forgetting material. Which change fits the advice best?
- A. Short fixed sessions on shift days plus longer blocks on off days
- B. Skip study on shift weeks and catch up before exams
- C. Study only theory and ignore what is seen on placement
- D. Replace self-testing with rereading the notes
Show answer
Answer: A. Short fixed sessions on shift days plus longer blocks on off days. Short, regular sessions on shift days and longer blocks on off days keep progress steady without exhaustion, and work better than occasional long cramming nights.
Keep learning
How to Get Into Medical School in the UAE: A Clear Roadmap
Medical Student Life in the UAE: The Honest Version
How to Answer Medical MCQs: Strategies That WorkStudy this with Mojaz
References
- Potter PA, Perry AG, Stockert PA, Hall A, Ostendorf WR. Fundamentals of Nursing. 12th ed. Elsevier; 2026. Source
- Larsen DP, Butler AC, Roediger HL 3rd. Test-enhanced learning in medical education. Med Educ. 2008;42(10):959-966. DOI
- Cepeda NJ, Pashler H, Vul E, Wixted JT, Rohrer D. Distributed practice in verbal recall tasks: a review and quantitative synthesis. Psychol Bull. 2006;132(3):354-380. DOI
Medically reviewed by: Tala Hamdan, BSc Nursing, MSc in Nursing Education · Senior Nursing Educator · Updated 27 Oct 2026
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