ABOUT CONCEPT MAPS
CONCEPT MAPS AND HOW TO USE THEM ON THIS WEBSITE FOR STUDYING
CONCEPT MAPS
Concept maps are graphical tools that organize and represent knowledge. They use nodes (usually circles or boxes) to represent concepts and lines or arrows to illustrate the relationships between them. Developed in the 1970s by Joseph Novak and his team, concept maps foster a meaningful understanding by connecting new information to existing knowledge. Research shows that visual learning aids like concept maps improve long-term memory retention. By actively engaging in the construction or interpretation of a concept map, nursing students process the information at a deeper cognitive level compared to passive reading. The visual structure helps them recall not just isolated facts, but the web of connections among various pharmacological principles. Concept maps are highly effective tools for exam preparation. By consolidating extensive information into a single visual format, students can efficiently review key concepts and their interrelationships before an exam. Use the Blank Concept Maps as needed to be tailored for emphasizing drug classes, therapeutic areas, or disease states, in alignment with the exam material.
HOW TO ACCESS THE CONCEPT MAPS ON THIS WEBSITE
Review each nursing subject listed in the sidebar to familiarize yourself with the layout of each page. Each primary nursing topic—such as pharmacology, fundamentals, adult and pediatric nursing, newborn/maternal, and psychosocial nursing—offers access to related subtopics. These subtopics provide links to individual concept maps within their respective areas. To view a concept map, click on the subtopic, then the concept map you would like to review. Each concept map is available for printing. Take a look at the Blank Concept Maps Section. These Blank Concept maps can be customized and tailored to your specific needs.
HOW TO USE THE CONCEPT MAPS TO PREPARE FOR EXAMS
Exam Preparation: To prepare thoroughly, create a comprehensive list of all topics required for your upcoming examination. Use this list as an index when selecting concept maps to review. Engage in multiple, focused reviews of each map, and actively visualize applying these concepts in practical, real-world situations. In nursing, exam success depends not only on recalling knowledge, but also on the ability to think critically about how to apply that knowledge appropriately. Review the Test-Taking Strategies to identify key methods used when making clinical decisions. These strategies are proven methods that will help you use critical thinking during your exams and in practice as nurses. Last, but not least...practice! practice! practice! to build your test-taking skills before your exam. Best Wishes! On all of your exams and your journey to become a nurse!