Starting 3rd semester/med surg in August.. any suggestions on how to get ahead??

mediatix8 · May 14, 2005

If you have any "simple" questions, I'd ask the nurse or another student rather than the teacher. Even if the nurse is unpleasant, they're not the ones grading you. Stay busy... you don't want your teacher to see you standing around. Get your medications ready early and save them in your pocket. Ask your teacher ahead of time if the nurse can check your meds if she (the teacher) appears extremely busy checking other student's meds. It will be your fault if you give meds too late, even if you tried so hard to find the teacher. Try paging the teacher if you can't find her. Help another student if you have extra time, or take time to teach your patient. I'd read up on central lines, chest tubes, ventilators. Use your med/surg book when preparing the day before for your patient. Look up the diagnoses in your med/surg book and use their nursing diagnoses.

caijes33 · May 14, 2005

Does your instructor sell the notes for the class in the book store? Can you get them. At my school ( :balloons: :balloons: the one that i graduated from THIS MORNING WOOHOO ) the notes are available before summer semester so that you can review then and even read ahead before classes start up again. Also, once the class starts, two words " Study Group"

Any way good luck

TINAMARIE28 · May 14, 2005

:chair: This Aug. I start Med Surg also. It looks like we're in the same boat! Good luck to you!! I cannot believe how fast the first semester flew by. I hope the 3rd semester goes by as quick!

I am a little nervous since this is where this year's senior class lost soooo many people! We have been told the 1st, 8wks is a killer so, any suggestions as to how to prepare ahead would be appreciated.This instructor has a rep. for being brutal but good & I don't want to be a failure. Thanks for any & all suggestions.

crb613, BSN, RN · May 15, 2005

Does your instructor sell the notes for the class in the book store? Can you get them. At my school ( :balloons: :balloons: the one that i graduated from THIS MORNING WOOHOO ) the notes are available before summer semester so that you can review then and even read ahead before classes start up again. Also, once the class starts, two words " Study Group"
Any way good luck

No as far as I know. Our school will not even tell you the books they are using ahead of time! They want you to buy them from the bookstore instead of going elsewhere. I found out what book they are currently using & bought it (used & cheap). I thought any reading ahead I could do would have to help. Thanks for the tips! & CONGRATS!!!

enfermeraSG · May 15, 2005

Here's my suggestion, and I hope it works because it is my strategy for advanced med-surg this fall!

Study up on your A&P, you don't want to waste limited study time in the fall relearning this stuff. Really know the major diseases/conditions/ of each system: CHF, CAD, COPD, diabetes, stroke, .......etc.

Also, a big one that I hear really throws the students for a loop is "acid-base balance", knowing the values of blood gases. I am also going to know my lab values for the most common lab tests, (can't learn them all!) but the major things like normal ranges for CBC, and metabolic panels. Finally, I am going to pound electrolyte imbalances into my head. Hope this helps, good luck to all of us! SG

wonderbee, BSN, RN · May 16, 2005

Here's my suggestion, and I hope it works because it is my strategy for advanced med-surg this fall!
Study up on your A&P, you don't want to waste limited study time in the fall relearning this stuff. Really know the major diseases/conditions/ of each system: CHF, CAD, COPD, diabetes, stroke, .......etc.
Also, a big one that I hear really throws the students for a loop is "acid-base balance", knowing the values of blood gases. I am also going to know my lab values for the most common lab tests, (can't learn them all!) but the major things like normal ranges for CBC, and metabolic panels. Finally, I am going to pound electrolyte imbalances into my head. Hope this helps, good luck to all of us! SG

This is very useful and appropriate advice. Go over the normal function of the heart, lungs and kidneys. A good recall of what is normal for these systems will put you ahead of the game. If you want to delve further, review the endocrine system with its hormones.

You might also consider supplementing your texts with a more student-friendly pathophysiology book. Prentice-Hall puts out a good one that condenses and organizes information into something that one can realistically study and retain.

Good luck in Semester III.

crb613, BSN, RN · May 16, 2005

Thanks to you all! I am good on my A&P & lab values, thank the Lord for my A&P teacher he was GREAT!! I just wanted to make sure I was going in the right direction.....looks like I am. I feel a little better now but I am going to re-study all this stuff & I am feeling pretty good about it right now. Good Luck to us all & again Thanks! :)

enfermeraSG · May 16, 2005

This is very useful and appropriate advice. Go over the normal function of the heart, lungs and kidneys. A good recall of what is normal for these systems will put you ahead of the game. If you want to delve further, review the endocrine system with its hormones.
You might also consider supplementing your texts with a more student-friendly pathophysiology book. Prentice-Hall puts out a good one that condenses and organizes information into something that one can realistically study and retain.
Good luck in Semester III.

Do you recall the name of that pathophysiology book? Also, I have a very condensed review manual for med-surg that saved me in med-surg I, when you just need to get the idea of it all. It's called "Straight A's in Medical-Surgical Nursing", by Lippincott. Very good guide through class, and test review help. SG

TINAMARIE28 · May 16, 2005

The Incredibly Easy Series- by Lippincott has a good Med- Surg Book. I have it and have been reading it. I find it to be very helpful. I believe they also have a Pathophysiology Made Incredibly Easy. Actually, they have just about anything you are looking for "Made Incredibly Easy" Has anyone else out there found this series to be helpful? Anything better?

Do you recall the name of that pathophysiology book? Also, I have a very condensed review manual for med-surg that saved me in med-surg I, when you just need to get the idea of it all. It's called "Straight A's in Medical-Surgical Nursing", by Lippincott. Very good guide through class, and test review help. SG

NurseyBaby'05, BSN, RN · May 16, 2005

Get everything non-nursing and non-school realted organized so you have more time to concentrate on school. I intended to do this all last summer and didn't. I wound up playing catch-up all school year. I could have had it go much more smoothly. :rolleyes:

TINAMARIE28 · May 16, 2005

:) I'm getting my vacation, my closet cleanings, my paper filings, and various household chores that I have put off, all that is getting done now. I start my Summer term which is one clinical day a week, with NO pre-planning in a couple of weeks. That will still leave me plenty of time. Oh, yes, I have an 8:00 AHS 129 class on Wed.'s. I have to score 100% on the ADN Dosage Exam. We do have to write like 4 journals this Summer for our Summer clinical. Anyone know anything about that?

Also, I am reading my "Medical Surgical Nursing MAde Incredibly Easy" book from cover to cover this Summer, and also memorizing lab values.

Anyone know the most important labs we need to know in Med-Surg?

Thanks, Tina