why is med/surg a hard class to pass??

pecanpies · Nov 15, 2011

I think it's hard for a couple of reasons:

1. Foundations is usually deceptively easy. I rarely cracked the textbook (although I did diligently study procedures and my class notes) and easily got an A...and I'm in a challenging program where about 25% have already failed out. So, people used to not studying for Foundations may continue not studying for Med Surg. I know people who didn't study very much for Med Surg. They got low grades or didn't pass. A couple got B's because they had already had some of the material, and there are always those people who seem like they can never study and still pass.

2. You really have to have a good basic grasp of the pathology of various conditions, as well as basic A&P, to do well in Med Surg. For example, let's say you have a PT with DKA. In order to treat this PT effectively, you need a good understanding of DM; of fluid and electrolyte balance; of how the kidneys function. You need to know that materials diffuse along their concentration gradient. You need to understand the basic compensatory mechanisms for maintaining a pH of 7.35-7.45 in the body. And on top of that, you also need to know nursing-specific information like how to administer insulin IV (certainly not as easy as, say, hanging a bag of NS). It's so much more than just knowing what DKA is and memorizing a few basic nursing interventions.

Wave Watcher · Nov 15, 2011

pecanpies said:
I think it's hard for a couple of reasons:
1. Foundations is usually deceptively easy. I rarely cracked the textbook (although I did diligently study procedures and my class notes) and easily got an A...and I'm in a challenging program where about 25% have already failed out. So, people used to not studying for Foundations may continue not studying for Med Surg. I know people who didn't study very much for Med Surg. They got low grades or didn't pass. A couple got B's because they had already had some of the material, and there are always those people who seem like they can never study and still pass.
2. You really have to have a good basic grasp of the pathology of various conditions, as well as basic A&P, to do well in Med Surg. For example, let's say you have a PT with DKA. In order to treat this PT effectively, you need a good understanding of DM; of fluid and electrolyte balance; of how the kidneys function. You need to know that materials diffuse along their concentration gradient. You need to understand the basic compensatory mechanisms for maintaining a pH of 7.35-7.45 in the body. And on top of that, you also need to know nursing-specific information like how to administer insulin IV (certainly not as easy as, say, hanging a bag of NS). It's so much more than just knowing what DKA is and memorizing a few basic nursing interventions.

Everything you just said has to do with "Critical Thinking". Some are good at it and others just never really get the hang of it. You are exactly right.....you have to know not only facts/book knowledge but the "how,when,where and why's" of it all.

pecanpies · Nov 15, 2011

Wave Watcher, you put it so much more succintly than I could! LOL. Critical thinking is what it's all about. Rote memorization won't help you in nursing school!

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Nov 15, 2011

PPs are absolutely correct. MedSurg is usually the first time that nursing students have to put everything together - all the basic sciences, foundations, etc. If they 'squeaked by' or just coasted in any of those classes, this is when the problems emerge. And, of course - there's the added stress of having to function in an acute care environment for the first time.

Don't get caught up in everyone's drama, especially classmates who are decompensating and/or going down in flames. Make sure you have an accurate understanding of the criteria that is being used to evaluate your performance and just focus on your own 'stuff'. You'll be fine. We all survived it and you will too!

2bmalenurse23 · Nov 15, 2011

Thanx for the really good information. I am one who usually study's hard and try's to connect the dots. Studying pathology would keep my interest. I have no previous medical experience so some things that come easy to others I will have to learn in a qwick amount of time. But I love Science!!

2bmalenurse23 · Nov 15, 2011

Houtx, I have a good understanding of my science classes and im hoping i understand the nursing concepts just as well, thanx for your insight!!

njmomstudent · Nov 15, 2011

Usually, at the point where you're doing med/surg, the tests get much harder. Not in information, but the way the questions are asked. Add that to that fact, and you've also got atleast 3, if not ALL right answers to choose from, and you have to pick "the best" one. Thing of it is, the "best" one, may just be from the perspective of the person writing the question. So even if you know you're material, nothing is 100%. Unless its an ABC's question, there are usually many good rationales for each answer. You just have to pray that you and the question maker have the same rationales in mind as a priority.

2bmalenurse23 · Nov 15, 2011

Njmomstudent,

thanks for the heads up on the test taking advice, is there a certain strategy that you use??

tokyoROSE, BSN, RN · Nov 15, 2011

Med/surg killed me not because I didn't know the material, but I didn't know how to answer the NCLEX-style questions. No matter how hard I studied, I would get B's. I did fine in A&P (got A's) but med/surg is on a different level. Best advice is to get an NCLEX book now, practice the questions, and learn the strategies.

2bmalenurse23 · Nov 16, 2011

Ok thank u soooo much for that insight! i will b in barnes and nobles tomorrow getting the book

OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN · Nov 16, 2011

I'm curious is medsurg your first nursing class???