How do nurses get straight A's?

Getting straight A's in nursing school requires a blend of strategic studying, like using active recall with tools like Anki and focusing on drug class mechanisms for pharmacology, consistent effort with excellent time management, and active clinical engagement, but it's often very difficult due to adjusted grading scales, demanding sacrifices, and sometimes the focus shifting from perfect grades to strong clinical skills and passing. Success hinges on mastering fundamentals (A&P, pharm), applying knowledge to real-life scenarios, utilizing resources like nursing podcasts and videos, and employing efficient study techniques such as spaced repetition and mnemonics.

Is it possible to get straight A's in nursing school?

I've taught in nursing schools for over 30 years. Lots of students graduated with all As. They generally were pretty smart to begin with and had two skills, memorization and application of that knowledge (meaning more than just recall, they saw how to use facts in a clinical problem). Most had good study skills.

How to make an extra $1000 a month as a nurse?

Telehealth or Triage Nurse

You can find these roles on job boards like Indeed, FlexJobs, or directly on healthcare company websites. The pay ranges from $25 to $45 per hour depending on the company and your level of experience. Working just 10–15 hours a week can bring in an extra $1000 or more.

How to get A's on nursing exams?

Study hard , utilize study groups , keep up with your assignments , read read read your textbook assignments . Eat drink and sleep nursing until you graduate . Remember that test questions often have more than one answer that sounds correct , you must pick the best answer.

What class do most people fail in nursing school?

Pharmacology. It shouldn't be a shock that many nursing students consider pharmacology the most difficult class within their curriculum. The name of the most failed class in nursing school indeed implies it's going to be challenging, and it will be.

HOW TO GET STRAIGHT A'S IN NURSING SCHOOL 2022 | study tips and tricks that ACTUALLY work!

What is the toughest class in nursing school?

The hardest nursing school class varies, but Pharmacology, Medical-Surgical Nursing, and Pathophysiology consistently rank as the most challenging due to their vast, complex content requiring deep critical thinking, memorization, and application of disease processes and medications. Pharmacology demands mastering thousands of drugs, Med-Surg covers extensive adult health conditions, and Pathophysiology explains how diseases affect the body, making these core subjects demanding.
 

What is the failure rate for RN?

As of halfway through 2025, pass rates are at 88.6% for RN and 85.9% for PN. The pass rates for all test-takers, including repeat test-takers and internationally educated test-takers, have also increased.

What is the hardest exam for nurses?

The Critical Care Registered Nurse certification, known as CCRN, is widely seen as one of the most demanding certifications in nursing. Administered by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN), this certification requires nurses to show mastery over complex critical care concepts and practices.

What are the 3 P's in nursing?

The "3 Ps" in nursing most commonly refer to the core advanced practice nurse (APRN) curriculum: Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, and Physical Assessment, forming the foundation for diagnosing and treating patients, but they can also mean Pain, Position, Potty/Personal Needs in hourly rounding for basic care, or even Providers, Patients, Payers in healthcare systems, or Preparation, Protection, Prevention for infection control. The specific meaning depends on the context, but the first definition (Patho, Pharm, Assessment) is crucial for advanced practice, while the second (Pain, Position, Potty) is key for basic patient comfort. 

What are 6 C's of nursing?

The 6 Cs of Nursing are Care, Compassion, Competence, Communication, Courage, and Commitment, a framework developed for quality healthcare, emphasizing values like empathy, up-to-date skills, patient advocacy, and dedication to improve patient experience and outcomes, originating from NHS England's Compassion in Practice strategy. 

Can you make $200,000 as a nurse?

While the median registered nurse salary sits at $93,600 per year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the highest-paid nurses are earning well over $200,000 annually, proving that nursing can be both personally fulfilling and financially rewarding. The nursing salary landscape has evolved dramatically.

What is the easiest nursing job that pays well?

The "easiest" nursing job paying well often means less physical stress, regular hours, and predictable environments, with popular choices like School Nurse, Occupational Health Nurse, Dermatology Nurse, Case Manager, Nurse Educator, and Telehealth Nurse often cited for good balance, offering salaries from around $70k to over $140k+ depending on role and location, though "easy" is subjective and most roles need experience or specific training. 

How to make $300,000 a year as a nurse?

To earn $300,000 as a nurse, you need a strategic combination of high-paying roles (like travel nursing, CRNA, or APRN), location (California, high-demand areas), significant overtime, shift differentials (nights/weekends), and potentially a side business or income streams like YouTube, with Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) having the highest earning potential. 

Do C's get nursing degrees?

A mantra that many students have as they go through nursing school is that “C's get degrees!” And yes, this is absolutely true. But what rarely gets discussed is the intent behind it…and this is what makes all the difference.

Can I be a nurse if I'm bad at math?

You can become a nurse even if you struggle at math. Nursing does require some math skills, so commit to practicing and using resources that will help you.

How to boost GPA for nursing school?

Retake courses you did poorly in the first time around, and/or take new courses you can ace (even general education courses like volleyball, nutrition, etc.) to bump your GPA back up to 3.0. Seek out nursing schools that look at GPA in different ways.

What are the 3 R's in nursing?

The “3Rs” initiative highlights the need to “rest, rehydrate, refuel” and encourages members to think about the consequences of not looking after themselves during shifts. Those consequences can be serious.

What is a triad in nursing?

The nursing triad most commonly refers to the interconnected relationship between Nursing Research, Nursing Theory, and Nursing Practice, forming a cycle where each element informs and improves the others to advance patient care and the profession itself. Alternatively, in clinical settings, a "triad" can mean a collaborative model, like a Nurse, Social Worker, and Physician/Utilization Reviewer working together for patient discharge, or in leadership, a CMO, CNO, and COO. 

What are the 4 P's in nursing?

The 4 Ps of nursing refer to the core elements of hourly rounding, a patient care practice designed to proactively meet needs and prevent complications, focusing on Pain, Potty (toileting), Position, and Possessions (items within reach) like call buttons or water. By checking these four areas consistently, nurses improve patient safety (especially fall prevention), comfort, and satisfaction, demonstrating a commitment to quality care.
 

What class do most nursing students fail in?

While it varies by student, Pharmacology, Anatomy & Physiology, and Microbiology are consistently cited as the most failed or difficult nursing school classes due to their vast, dense content, requiring memorization of drugs, diseases, and complex body systems, with Med-Surg (Medical-Surgical Nursing) also a major hurdle for its comprehensive application of knowledge. 

What is the #1 nursing school in the world?

According to recent QS World University Rankings (2025), King's College London is the number one nursing school globally, rising to the top spot, while the University of Pennsylvania (Penn Nursing), a consistent former #1, is ranked second, with Johns Hopkins University and the University of Toronto also in the top tier. Rankings vary slightly, but these institutions consistently lead for strong research, reputation, and innovative programs. 

Can I be a nurse even if I'm not smart?

Even if you feel like you're not smart enough for nursing school, you can make it through with the right support. Achieve Test Prep helps you through your nursing education with test prep courses, on-demand tutoring, and more so that you can advance with confidence.

What is the least stressful RN position?

List of Lower-Stress Nursing Jobs

• School Nurse. One of the best-known low-stress roles is that of a school nurse. ...
• Public Health Nurse. ...
• Nurse Educator. ...
• Clinic Nurse. ...
• Nurse Informaticist. ...
• Telehealth Nurse. ...
• Research Nurse. ...
• Occupational Health Nurse.

How many new nurses quit?

A significant number of new nurses leave the profession early, with estimates suggesting around 18% quit within the first year, and over 30% to 50% leaving within the first two to three years, driven by high stress, understaffing, lack of support, and inadequate orientation, creating a critical retention challenge. 

Can you still be a nurse if you fail NCLEX?

No, you cannot be a licensed nurse (RN or LPN/LVN) in the U.S. without passing the NCLEX, as it's the mandatory exam for licensure, but you can work in related healthcare roles like a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) while studying to retake it, with most states offering multiple attempts and specific retraining if you fail repeatedly.