As any student will tell you, attending class is one thing, retaining the knowledge you need to pass a course is quite another. This is particularly true for nurses and other healthcare professionals, with information overload a real issue while studying. However, while you might not always remember everything from class, there’s plenty of other ways to revise and reinforce your knowledge when at home.

Nursing reference cards offer one way to do this, giving you the chance to keep all the information you need to hand. They can also help you learn in new ways and bring greater understanding to any topic, giving you an even better chance of remembering all the important stuff when exams come around!

But how do nurse reference cards work? And how can flash cards and other tools help you access all the information you need at the most critical times? Here we take a look at the science behind nursing reference cards and

How do Flash Nurse Reference Cards Work?

Flashcards and nursing “cheat” cards can help you learn through a variety of methods. These are often as good, if not better, than using interactive methods of learning online, however, combining the two is always a good idea and will help you further your knowledge quickly and efficiently. Here then, are the most practical and efficient ways to use your nursing reference cards to really nail down your knowledge.

Active Recall

Engaging active recall using flashcards is much more effective than using your recognition-based faculties. When you look at a flash card or nursing reference card, you actively attempt to recall the answer (which is usually found on the flipside of the card). This helps to build stronger connections within your brain that help remember subjects, topics, and themes more easily later on.

In particular, nursing flashcards easily facilitate repetition, helping you to further reinforce those connections as you progress. Additionally, active recall has been shown in numerous studies to enhance learning and improve memory. It’s quick, practical, and allows you to learn anywhere and at any time.

Repetition

Repetition remains one of the most useful methods when learning any subject. However, simply repeating the same things over and over again can become tiresome and, after a while, counterproductive. Nursing reference cards, unlike a book or document containing the same information, allow you to build confidence-based repetition cycles that help you to remember.

In simple terms, this just means sorting out your cards into piles that reflect your knowledge of the respective subject, topic, or theme. Those that you are most comfortable with should be referred to less frequently, while those that you are struggling with can be cycled through more often.

Metacognition

Thinking about thinking (metacognition) may seem counterintuitive when you’re trying to learn facts, figures, and other important information. However, it’s supremely useful for enhancing memory, plus, it can help you more easily apply what you’ve learnt to complex problems or real-world situations.

When you look at a series of nursing flashcards, you should reflect on your performance and ask yourself questions on how you came to give an answer. Are you confused about the topic? What relationships can be built between the topic and others that you are more proficient at? How can I more easily remember this topic later on? By doing this, you will give yourself more robust and comprehensive strategies for learning as you progress.

Nursing Reference Cards for Study and Beyond

The beauty of a comprehensive collection of nursing reference cards is that they can also support your after study. Particularly for new nurses, keeping reference cards handy when starting a new position can help you to build confidence, knowing that the answer to any given question or problem is never far away. They can also serve as a “comfort blanket”, so even if you already “know” everything you need to, they can simply act as a supporting tool to give you the confidence you need to excel.

Finally, a decent set of nursing reference cards can also be useful for referring to less common information that may be required during your career. After all, a nurse’s job is always changing, and keeping your foundational knowledge fresh is always a good idea.