How I got an A in Med Surg 1

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Specializes in medical surgical.

Let me start by saying I go to mid size 4 year college with a class size of about 35. My school includes pathophysiology and pharmacology within the med surg class content.This class was 6 credits and had 80 clinical hours with additional ATI,case studies,papers and reflection journals. This class determines if you are going to graduate on time or fail out of the program. Each test was 18.75%, totaling 75% of my final grade.

This class recently got a reboot and they redid parts of the curriculum. For instance the tests in the past were open book, now they're not. I know, they shouldn't been open book in the first place, but I digress. Also the text book is new and they now do not go over the PowerPoints in class as the main lecture. So big changes.

I went into taking this class with the thought that an A was impossible and I would be happy with a B. I still would have to work really hard for a B. So buckled down and started making notes.

How I did my notes/ How I studied

  • Before class I printed out the power point and did notes on the powerpoints, and underlinig the points that they made, or writing more information.
  • Then I read the text book, ONLY reading the content that was covered in the PP. There was no way I was gonna read everything in that text. This was my way of filtering info.
  • When I read the text book, I was taking more notes on that PP print out. Eventually it was covered information pertinent for the test.
  • I made lists of things needed for procedures or treatments. Lists became my best friend for listing the need to know information
  • I circled my Priorities in red. This could be major adverse effects for drugs, priority teachings, High alert lab values, etc.
  • After taking notes, I never opened my text book again. I only studies those notes.The notes process would take a couple of hours to get truly effective notes, a bit of trail and error.
  • Then before the test I would read the notes, verbalize, try to teach others.
  • Few days before I would do questions out of our study guide book and read all the rationales. Then with my nursing buddy we would go over notes from around 5pm-1030pm, the night before the test. Without her I don't think I could have done as well.
  • One quick glance right before bed and be done. No all nighters!!!! If you don't know it by midnight don't expect to know it at 3 am.
  • Rinse and repeat 4 more times with my lowest test grade of an 80. My school considers an A at 94. So the rest of my grades were 92-98.
  • I got used the type of questions on the test and reformulated my notes to be more oriented towards questions. Definitely a time saver.

I am so proud of my self! I hope this information can help other nursing students!

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funny because I do almost the same thing. I'm totally anal retentive though so I read the assigned chapters even though I know it's more info than I'll need, but somewhere in the back of my mind it tells me "you MIGHT need to know this some time in the future" - but just to reiterate, I know studying methods differ from people to people, but this method definitely worked for me!

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Congratulations on your accomplishment of the course :up:

Thank you for the study tips

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I am so proud of my self! I hope this information can help other nursing students!

You go girl!! I'm proud of you as well! Thanks for sharing your tips!!

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I never realized HOW difficult nursing school was until I started! The first semester ended, and although I was hoping for an A..I ended up with a C. Somehow I thought I'd be disappointed with that low grade but I'm actually RELIEVED I survived. I really want to get an A next semester but know I need to change my study skills. I appreciate your advice and I will try that out. I haven't found a reliable study buddy yet..I know it's also important to have good chemistry with your study buddy! Anyway, very proud of you! An A sounds impossible but after reading your story I feel inspired. :)

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Specializes in medical surgical.

Thanks for all your input and nice comments!:)

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Specializes in LTC, Med-surg.

Congrats! Your method sounds like my method except I would add "Spend a few days before the exam finding every single NCLEX-RN question there is from published NCLEX-RN review books and answer them plus read the rationales for all the questions answered."

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Specializes in ICU/ Surgery/ Nursing Education.
funny because I do almost the same thing. I'm totally anal retentive though so I read the assigned chapters even though I know it's more info than I'll need, but somewhere in the back of my mind it tells me "you MIGHT need to know this some time in the future" - but just to reiterate, I know studying methods differ from people to people, but this method definitely worked for me!

Totally agree with you. Reading the whole chapters will help you in the future. If you concentrate on just what is provided on the power points and tests then you will do fine and pass the nursing program. If you take initiative and read the information skipped in the power points or not covered on the tests you will have a better understanding of the content for the NCLEX.

Remember, the NCLEX covers everything and you will not ever know what questions you will receive. If you are more prepared or feel like you are more prepared your NCLEX experience will be easier.

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Specializes in public health, women's health, reproductive health.

Excellent! Keep up the good work!

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