Just finished my 1st semester today with my med surg final!

Published Dec 13, 2012

What class was most stressful for you?
- 0
  Pharmacology
- 0
  Fundamentals of Nursing
- 0
  Med Surg 1
- 1
  Clinicals
- 0
  Lab

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30 Posts

I don't want to write a huge long story about my experiences during my first semester, but I would like to give a few tips that I wish I would of had.

Starting with, this is like nothing I ever expected.

My tips-

-My pharmocology class was easy, but that may of had somthing to do with the fact that my teacher resigned during the semester and was on a plane to FL the day after the final.So the test were way easy and she gave very big hints during lecture about what would be on the test. Which I really liked because it helped me earn an "A",but when I went and took my ATI test I scored below a 60. I did not recognized more then 5 of the drugs names because we had not gone over them. So I must start studying that in order to be ready for nclex.

-At my school my "fundamentals of Nursing" class was a joke. I read the chapters and that was all and still passed with an A. (this did not prepare my for med surg AT ALL).

- I don't think you really ever get over the "fear" of check offs, even if its just washing your hands. And when/if you don't pass the first time- your confindenc is pretty much shot and I felt like I wanted to quit nursing school that day. Its hard having someone tell you that you are not good enough and they act like they dont even care how many hours you just spent practing and studying. It was fine though I went in and redid it and got 100%.

- My lab class was VERY un-organized. They blamed it on us having a new book and check off sheets, But I blame it on the instructors not being prepared and some just plain lazy. But do what you gotta do to learn the info and keep your mouth shut. One girl spoke out about it and all of a "sudden" her tutor couldnt meet with her anymore.

- I had a AMAZING clinical instructor and clinicals went great for me, and yes care plans really do take you any where from 4-6 HOURS to complete correctly. Care plans are actaully my strong point. (my best experience was taking care of kids in the PACU after surgury)

-Med surg: on avg. my school has about 10 student fail out of 32 each semester. I was not goin to be one of those people- I studied for each test of about 15+ hours avg. and my grades show it. But I didnt memorize info- and I always asked "why is this happening" and it helped me when I got the question to be able to think through it.

-There will be those people that are failing or close to failing and all of a sudden they want to be your best friend. DO NOT do it, you are in this for you, you are not in nursing school to help them pass. Yes if you have extra to answer questions or studying here and there fine, but do not get sucked into the "poor me, your so lucky" deal.

- Find ONE friend/study partner that is just as serious as you are. I did and it worked out great we would stay at eachothers houses a day or two before a med surg or pharm exam and study for hours stray- what worked best for us was quizing eachother back and forth. not just reading the info over and over

- just stay under the radar; no one likes someone who needs to be center of attention or are always bashing the instructors. Also stay out of any drama- it is not worth it. I am one of the 3 yongest in my group and I feel like the most mature most of the time.

-spend time with your patints and take you assessments seriously they really do help when you sit down to do a careplan later that night.

-use your manners in class.

- and dont forget this is like a 2 year long job interveiw these people can make it so you graduate but wont get a job with in the state.

Most of all enjoy yourself, read the chapters, record lectures(and listen to them), and just remember you are there to become the best nurse you can be!