Failing Med-Surg!! What Should I do?

tyan1 · Mar 9, 2012

I am sorry that is happening! I would stick it out, and I wouldn't say that you "keep failing" based on two exams. Have faith in yourself that you can get Bs on the next two, and I would see your instructor for help. Nursing school is tough..

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Mar 9, 2012

Don't give up. It's definitely not impossible to make up five percentage points in two tests and a final. I've known people who have overcome much larger deficits. You were very close to passing on your last test.

You need to figure out why you are failing. Are you not studying enough? Are you studying the wrong way? Examine your study technique and talk to an advisor about alternative study strategies to help you be more successful. Speak to the med-surg instructor and ask to go over your tests with her. Discuss your concerns and see if she can give you some direction about the best ways to study/things to study on.

When you spend that long studying and you're still failing either one of two things is happening:

1. You're studying the wrong way. This could mean that reading and note taking doesn't work for you. You might be an auditory learner. Perhaps reading the text out loud or recording the lectures and listening again will help you. You may be a kinesthetic learner, which means you learn by doing. You can make the best of this by doing something active while you learn. Make flashcards and quiz a friend. Create your own study guides and outlines. Study while walking on a treadmill. You might be unable to focus at home or at school. Try studying in a bookstore or cafe like Starbucks. Have snacks while studying. Try to find different ways to study until you find a way that works for you.

2. You're studying the wrong material. Your test questions are going to be really specific, but I'm guessing that you have several chapters of information to read for each test. Study the important topics. If you have a syllabus or outline from the instructor, study the topics that are on the outline. If the instructor uses power points or lectures, spend more time on the topics covered there. When you read the book, focus on the chapter summaries, key concept areas and the practice questions. You don't need to read every word to understand the material. Ask your instructor what you need to focus on when studying for the test. Chances are she wants you to succeed and will be happy to help.

Keep at it. Change your study techniques and try to find something that works better for you. Seek help from instructors and tutors if you need to. You can pass this course.

AOx1 · Mar 10, 2012

I would find out the last day to drop your course, and plan to drop then if things don't improve. In the interim, I would make sure you are spending at least 3 hours per in class hour studying, using an NCLEX study guide, and any resources your school provides (such as ATI or HESI books or practice exams). Review your old exams for patterns, and consider use of the following books:

Amazon.com: Test Success: Test-Taking Techniques for Beginning Nursing Students eBook: Barbara A. Vitale, Dr Patricia Nugent: Kindle Store

Amazon.com: Prentice Hall Nursing Reviews & Rationales: Medical-Surgical Nursing (2nd Edition) (9780131789708): Mary Ann Hogan, Stacy Estridge, Dolores Zygmont, Joan Davenport: Books

Amazon.com: Med-Surg Success: A Course Review Applying Critical Thinking to Test Taking (Davis's Q&a Series) (9780803625044): Kathryn Colgrove, Ray Huttel: Books

Also, there are iphone apps specifically for Med Surg, such as Mosby's NCLEX for Med Surg that are really good. You can create a customized quiz over the areas you are studying and view the rationales also.

strytellerzoey · Mar 11, 2012

I was in your shoes... I struggled to pass, I was pregnant delivered on thursday and back to school on monday. I struggled. I knew I wasnt gonna pass but since I had already paid for the class I stayed so that way next year I would have an advantage. I would have my notes I would have taken the test and it would be more of a review. In the end I failed by 1/2 point, but I waited the year and started all over again. In the end it doesnt matter if you had to take the class an RN is a RN. I had no problem getting accepted into a BSN program which was what i had heard. And when applying for a job no one cares or even asks. So just find a good study group read and reread the things you dont understand and see your teachers for help.

Witty3RN · Mar 12, 2012

Practice NCLEX style questions that are related to the material you are testing. Sometimes I study and think I know the material and then I quiz myself and realize that I'm confused in some areas or don't know as much as I thought. Also think about what the nurse needs to know S/S, interventions, meds, and etc...

blackandyellow · Mar 12, 2012

I'm in the same boat. Passing is an 80 and I have a 79. I have one test left and then the final. I dont have any advice other than make sure you meet with your teacher and go over your past tests. I'll be doing that this week. Just wanted you to know you're not alone. Good luck.