Attention Attention!!!!!!!!!!!

amybethf · May 12, 2008

i seeking help/advice with studying for my med surg class. i will have to repeat it in jan 2009 and i need to utilize this time that i have now (other than working) to prepare.med surg was a weakness for me this spring and i am willing to do what ever it takes for me to pass this class. i missed passing this class by 3 pts and it will not happen to me again. i refuse to let this happen to me again.
if i need to by nclex books,write note cards,re-reading the book, etc whatever suggestions u can give i willing
thanks so much for whatever suggestions u can give me:nurse:

i used my nclex for everything in ms1; i couldn't have done it without it. it helped clarify some of the more confusing stuff and i used it to reinforce my reading. i studied alot, usually 5+ days a week for a few hours, devoting a few hours each week to review. i read every chapter twice, hi-lighting the vip stuff, did the questions at the end of each chapter along with answering the questions from my modules. whatever i didn't retain, i went over it and made notes/flashcards. a few of us would meet 2 nights before each test and use flashcards to review. i always reviewed my tests. if something just wasn't clicking, i went to my instructors. i never studied the night before.

when taking the test, i read the question, underline the stem and cue words, i then ask myself what the question is asking and what i already know, ie, application, knowledge, priority, nursing process, etc; then look at the answers - 2 are wrong right off the bat; i compare the other 2; i go back and reread the question and stem and cues and then answer it. usually the answer with more info is the 'best' answer. it's a process of elimination. i think some students are better test takers when it comes to nursing tests but bottom line, you have to be able to use critical thinking; ie, nursing judgment. when they write the tests, they throw in distractors and answers that are there to specifically throw you off. it stinks royally but this is ns! so avoid reading into the question - do not add any extra info and personal experience to the question, just answer what it is asking! :twocents:

i wish you the best of luck and i know you will do it! more importantly, stay positive and focused!

queenjean · May 12, 2008

Get a job as an aide on a med/surg floor. You'll learn so much.

Particularly if you are a hands on sort of person, or you need demonstration as opposed to reading about it, being on a med/surg floor will really help you. I always try to give a little explanation and talk my way through procedures/issues with our aides who are nursing students. I notice most of our nurses do the same. These aides will likely be nurses on our floor, so it makes sense for us to orient them as much as possible. It helps them in their classes and it helps them be better nurses for us later.

J

donsterRN, ASN, BSN · May 12, 2008

I'm so sorry for what you're going through; I can feel the frustration.

Med/surg can be a tough nut to crack; there is so much to it. Is part of your difficulty in the test taking? I'm sure I don't need to tell you that nursing examinations are a world unto themselves! It's really a matter of knowing exactly what is being asked; sometimes you don't even need to know the right answer as long as you know how to take the test.

Amybethf mentioned getting an NCLEX guide. That is wonderful advice! The questions and review often cement the knowledge into my brain because it's like getting similar information in a different voice. That often helps me to make sense of a particularly difficult concept. And instructors sometimes get their questions from these books. And the NCLEX review not only has basic review of information, but rationales on those questions as to why one answer is correct and the others aren't. Knowing why an answer is wrong is as important as why one is right, IMO. My particular favorite is Saunders NCLES review, but Kaplan, Davis, Mosby...they all have them and I figure that the more questions to think through, the better off you'll be at final exams, and ultmately at NCLEX. Another really good one is the "NCLEX Review Made Incredibly Easy". Love those books! Good luck in whatever you decide! I know you'll make it work.

Cosper123 · May 12, 2008

Yes I agree a NCLEX book like Saumders that has summaries and such would do ya a world of good. I used the chapter reviews as a foundation as they do a great job of summarizing what you need to know, and it makes taking in your chapter reading and such so much easier.

Also, In my experience...most of the questions we received throughout the nursing program were focused on medications, and care specific to nursing (not as heavily on the pathophys, UNLESS it could manifest in something you as a nurse should be able to pick up on).

So pay special attention to any careplans that show up in your book, and take the end of chapter reveiws after you are reading so you know where you need to focus more attention. Actually go back at that point and brush up on the area.

trjohnson0213 · May 12, 2008

thanks so much for the info it is really helping me alot to study for the summer pls keep the info coming any ideas i get will help me may be i can incoporate all of them into my studying so again thanks

kbmommy21 · May 13, 2008

along with everything everybody else has said i would also suggest you get the study guide if there is one for your books and review the questions after you have read the chapters. time consuming yes, but well worth it, it has helped me tremendously. Best of luck to you

RheatherN, ASN, RN, EMT-P · May 13, 2008

you have taken other classes right? so.. what i suggest, not to be pushy or snotty or anything. but i would see what your routine is for your other classes that has worked and follow that. we have a "counselor" at school that helps too. we see him when we want, but also have to if our grades are not so good. i have seen him on my own several times and he does wonders. get a tutor...get a friend to help....try a new way of studying..there are lots of things you can branch out and try. you really have to get a routine, and stick to it.

but try that counselor thing, if you dont have that avaliable, make sure you try and get ahold of a couple different instructors and get help from them.

GL!!! and you sound so determined!!!-there is no way you wont make it!

trjohnson0213 · May 13, 2008

I understand what u r saying I will take what u said under advisement Right now I am still not sure of what I am going to do

I went to school today to register for 2 summer classes that will help with improving in nursing (critical thinking class & improved college reading class) could not take it b/c gpa had dropped below 2.0 b/c got a "D" in my Nur 102 class

Right now I am so discouraged If I decide to go back to school I will have to pay out of pocket & I can't afford that :crying2:

I do know that nursing is my life & it is something that I know I can do but I just don't know right now I just have alot going on and not sure of what to do:banghead:

jadu1106 · Sep 15, 2008

hi!

here is a book i used in both of my med-surg classes and it was such a "lifesaver"....very easy to read and comprehend. everything you need to know for med-surg.

medical-surgical nursing: reviews and rationales

its a series of nursing books by prentice hall.

isbn: 0130304573

author: mary ann hogan and tomas madayag

more info: http://www.nursingjobs.org/nursing-books/details.asp?item=0130304573

http://www.amazon.com/review/product/0130304573/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?%5fencoding=utf8&showviewpoints=1

hope this infomation helps you!

jadu1106