what made you pass med-surg?

jschut, BSN, RN · Sep 20, 2002

What MADE me pass? I have no clue...

What HELPED me pass? Lots of reading, studying and TONS of prayer!

Good Luck to you!

LPN & EMT-CT · Sep 21, 2002

I had a great teacher, it's a lot of studing, a lot. But after you do it you will be soooo glad it's over.

Goo luck, no web sites that i know of.

Sleepyeyes · Sep 21, 2002

It sure helps to really have your patho down with Med-Surg. Usually, if you know what's happening on a cellular level, you can figure out how to fix it.

Ex. CHF (congestive heart failure): Left heart fails. Fluid backs up into the alveoli of the lungs. In assessing your pt, you can hear "wet" lung sounds. Pt's O2 sats drop and he c/o dyspnea. The patient isn't getting any air. This is a Bad Thing, so act fast:

Position HOB up. Start O2. You need to get the fluid off the lung to improve breathing pronto, so you call the doc and expect him to order the standard treatment, Lasix--a diuretic--stat. Almost simultaneously, you call Respiratory to ask them to give the pt. a Neb treatment, which will improve gas exchange by opening up the airways more.

--anyhow, you get the picture. Good luck. Med-surg is scary, intense-- fascinating! and rewarding!! especially when your CHF'er just as suddenly can breathe after the correct treatment you give.

jenac · Sep 21, 2002

RE:what made you pass med-surg?

any tips from the "survivors"?

Blood, sweat and tears my dear! I worked my a** off and cried alot-but in the end, it all clicks so nicely! Study, study,study-pray hard, sleep fast and cry if you need to.

rosemadder · Sep 22, 2002

Only 6 weeks of Med-Surg? How in the world are you going to learn Med-Surg in 6 weeks? I had it for four months and will have another four months my last semester. I, too, attend community college. The 1st Med-Surg semester was the worst! It was a nightmare. My sympathies to you!

leqwedz · Nov 24, 2009

i'm in the same sneaker as u,mine is a little tight.i ask'd the instructor what to do,she said the same thing..study,study and study.it's for months..two months med-surg one and two months med-surge two.good luck to u too.

Nepenthe Sea · Nov 24, 2009

Study, study, study...there's no substitute for it. Make flash cards. Use study guides and NCLEX review books to study. Having a GREAT instructor (like mine!) helps. If you do good listening to lecture, then tape it and listen again. Get to know your lab values as well as you can. At our program, at least, alot of test questions have you assessing a patient based on those.

Good luck!