I graduated from nursing school in 2014, and I still have nightmares about making flashcards and memorizing terms and pharmacology for my exams. And while I consider myself to be smart, it’s something that I had to work for. There were many late nights, tears, and hand cramps, trying to make sense of anatomy and disease processes. And if I could go back and do it again, I would only wish that I was able to leverage technology at that time in my life to make my studies smoother and my life easier. Using ChatGPT not only helps save time and condense your topics into the most important things you need to know, but ChatGPT is getting better, smarter, and faster every single day. I think it’s in every nursing students best interest to learn how to leverage ChatGPT to enhance your studies and increase productivity. In this post I’ll explain how to study nursing with ChatGPT and give you the best tips for using technology to get ahead.
How ChatGPT Can Help Nursing Students
There are multiple ways ChatGPT can help with your nursing studies and in my opinion, the sooner you dive in and start getting used to this technology, the better off you’ll be in the long run. Here are four ideas for using AI to help you study…
1. Summarizing Complex Topics
One of the best ways ChatGPT can help in your studies is by summarizing complex topics or topics you don’t fully understand. This will help you grasp the more difficult concepts without having to sift through a huge textbook looking for your answers.
For me, pathophysiology was always the most fun to learn… but it took a lot of time diligently reading small text in huge textbooks. Today, if I had ChatGPT at the ready, I would say something like, “Break down the complex pathophysiology of heart failure in simple terms”. Then go from there if there is still something about the process you don’t fully understand. It’s best to start more generally, and then get more specific.
2. Creating Personalized Study Plans
By creating a personalized study plan, ChatGPT can help you structure your studies efficiently. And while this might not be the best result initially, this AI software starts to learn you and what you like/dislike so the more you ask for a personalized study plan, the better your plans will fit your needs.
One way to ask for this is by saying something like, “Generate a 4-week study plan for the NCLEX with daily topics”.
Tip: Give ChatGPT feedback on what you might like and dislike about the plan given to you to help the software improve and cater to your needs!
3. Practicing NCLEX Style Questions
Once you get closer to taking the NCLEX, having ChatGPT quiz you and come up with NCLEX style questions is a great way to practice for your test. One way to ask this would be, “Create 5 multiple-choice NCLEX questions on pharmacology”.
Read more about studying for the NCLEX here…
4. Generating Flashcards for Quick Review
Another way to study with ChatGPT (that will save you tons of time), is to request the AI to make flashcards for any topic you’re learning about. For example, you could specifically ask, “Make flashcards for the most common antibiotics and their use”. I will point out, that if you’re someone that learns better by writing things down, you might want to continue to make your own flashcards.
Best ChatGPT Prompts for Nursing Students
Here are some of the best ChatGPT prompts for nursing students who are in the throes of studying and want help staying organized and optimize their learning…
- “Explain the difference between X and X in simple terms”
- “Summarize the nursing interventions for X (disease process) in a X setting (i.e. critical care setting, L&D setting, ER setting, etc)”
- “Generate a medication comparison chart for X vs X”
- “Give me a quick quiz on prioritization questions for nursing school exams/specific class”
- “Summarize the pathophysiology of X in under 200 words”
- “Describe the process of X as if you were explaining it to a patient”
- “Summarize the most popular medications used in X (ER/L&D/NICU) and their indications”
- “Generate a multiple-question quiz with 10 questions on X”
Using ChatGPT Responsibly in Nursing Studies
You might be asking yourself, “Is ChatGPT reliable for nursing students?” Of course, ChatGPT is still new technology and you can’t rely on it with 100% certainty. As a student, you still have the responsibility to cross-check your information with your textbook and other reputable sources. AI is something that can assist you in learning and help you prioritize what’s important, but it is not a substitute for evidence-based practice.
Tools to Use Alongside ChatGPT for Nursing Studies
Here is a list of some great study tools for nursing students to use alongside ChatGPT…
- Notion – to help organize your study notes
- Quizlet – for flashcards
- UWorld or Kaplan – for NCLEX preparation
- YouTube – for visual learning
- RNExplained – visual study notes created by a nurse
Nurse Essentials
If you’re in the throes of nursing school, I hope that you feel empowered to try out ChatGPT to aid in your studies. After all, it’s an incredibly powerful tool – but it does not replace needing to do the hard work of studying and learning a concept. If you’ve found ChatGPT helpful in your studies, let me know in a comment below!
If you’re in nursing school, don’t miss…
- 10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Becoming a Nurse
- How to Pick a Specialty When You’re in Nursing School
- 6 Essential Tips for New Nurses
- How to Prepare to Become a Travel Nurse When You’re in Nursing School
For more information on nursing related topics, make sure to check out my Instagram page/highlight reel by searching “#ppinscrubs” or under my highlights for “Travel Nursing” or “Nursing”. Alternatively, check out my YouTube channel for more information on nursing related topics!
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Founded by Kylee, a NICU nurse with nine years of experience, including seven years as a travel nurse; Passports and Preemies was created in 2017 and is now the go-to travel and lifestyle channel for nurses who crave adventure beyond the bedside. Whether you’re a staff nurse looking for your next getaway or a travel nurse navigating life on the road, this space is designed to help you maximize your time off, explore the world, and prevent nurse burnout.
On Passports and Preemies, you’ll find everything from travel nursing insights – how to get started, land the best assignments, and thrive on the road – to expert travel tips, destination guides, and real-talk about balancing nursing with a life well-traveled. Passports and Preemies also includes Beyond the Bedside – group trips for nurses around the world; as well as the podcast, Passports and Preemies Talks.
