MedSurg Help!!!!!!

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Can anyone help? I am having serious problems in med surg. I have an 69% average and need at least a 77%. I can't get it together. Things are coming together for me. The instructor gives power points and a test review and i still can't get more that a 68 on the test. I don't know how to study for this class. Does anyone have any suggetsions?????:crying2:

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Where are you failing on the test? Is it pharmacology, disease process? You need to be on top of these areas to do well in this part of the course.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, OB/GYN, ER, Geriatrics.

Are you able to sit down with your instructor to go over the test and see where you went wrong? I did this and found that I need to strengthen my skills on questions that require critical thinking and application problems. Listening to my instructor explain the rationales behind what I got wrong really helped me and now I am doing so much better on my tests.

As far as grasping the chapters you are tested on this is what I try to do:

1. Read the objectives first

2. Read the chapter and highlight important points

3. Then I go back and answer the objections on paper adding what I highlighted to these notes.

4. In class, I compare my reading notes to the lecture notes and see what I missed

5. Then I rewrite the lecture notes from class.

6. When I study for a test, I read the summary from the chapters being covered first. Then I read my reading notes, lecture notes and power points three times.

7. I then have someone (usually my husband) quiz me on the info.

8. I also utilize all the DVD's, websites, chapter questions and my NCLEX book when studying for a test as well.

HTH! Best of luck to you.

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I went the instructor to talk over where im going wrong, and she is very vague. We have reviews on the chapters and some of the stuff is on the test how we went over it in class, but how she presents them to us or worded is totally different from how it was explained during the review. She always states she's not going to spoon feed us. Im not looking for that, just say what we need to focus on so we'll know what to study. She goes out of her way to not to give anything away. Let's ay we have three chapters info study she'll say read the chapter some are so long with so much info. I don't have time to do that with four ither classes to study for. As of to day i'm looking for another PN program in the Detroit area. I drive to Toledo M-F. I am really PO'D. I think the whole thing is a gimmick so you'll have to keep taking things over so they get more money. Clinicals are the same way. it's set up for you to fail. Thanks so much for your reply. If you know of any LPN schools in the Metro with not a long waiting list let me know.

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Specializes in LTC, Med-Surg, Special Care, Postpartum.

There are some great study books out there for Med-Surg. I have recently bought Saunders comprehensive NCLEX review and rationale. That books give you a preview of different topics your class books will cover. and gives you tons of questions and rationales. You can use that book throughout nursing school. and I got another book just for Med-Surg and its review and rationale's. Also in the back of your class book there should be a CD-rom that you can do practice questions an a website that will help break down the book, and help study for tests. I'm doing my Med-Surg rotation in a 2 year RN program and so far this has helped

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I went the instructor to talk over where im going wrong, and she is very vague. We have reviews on the chapters and some of the stuff is on the test how we went over it in class, but how she presents them to us or worded is totally different from how it was explained during the review. She always states she's not going to spoon feed us. Im not looking for that, just say what we need to focus on so we'll know what to study. She goes out of her way to not to give anything away. Let's ay we have three chapters info study she'll say read the chapter some are so long with so much info. I don't have time to do that with four ither classes to study for. As of to day i'm looking for another PN program in the Detroit area. I drive to Toledo M-F. I am really PO'D. I think the whole thing is a gimmick so you'll have to keep taking things over so they get more money. Clinicals are the same way. it's set up for you to fail. Thanks so much for your reply. If you know of any LPN schools in the Metro with not a long waiting list let me know.

I know exactly which school and instructor you are talking about. I found the instructor to be very helpful. She is not going to tell you what to focus on but I have found if it is in bold , italicized, or it comes out of her mouth then study it. You should not want a program to tell you what to focus on, because that may get you through nursing school, but it is no help for the NCLEX! I don't think it is set up to fail you, but that quarter is structured to weed out the weak to protect the schools rep and you can't blame them for that. A lady in my class failed at least 4 of the exams never received over a 86 on the rest, but in her favor she was determined. She met with the instructor after each exam pass or fail to find out what she was doing wrong. She passed the quarter!!! ALL reputable nursing schools you will have a very heavy study load and most are teach yourself especially the 12 month programs. Good luck on your journey to become a nurse!!

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Specializes in CNA, MA.

ohh I totatlly know how you feel I have 12 med surg tests and have 4 left the first few I couldnt get it but then...I bought MED surg success EXCELLENT book helps you will questions gives you rationales I spend 10 hour days studying you really need to invest alot of time and if you dont understand something go to your instructor ASAp so they can clear it up I wish you luckk you can do it!!!!! MED SURG cant wait for it to be overrrr :p

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Specializes in none in LPN school now.

I too had problems with both Med-SurgI and II and thank God I made it through Med-Surg I but the devil tried his best to mess me up in Med-Surg II I made a 90 on my final and I ended up with a 81% in the class and you have to have a 82% to pass the class. I was devasted I only had one class lefted til graduating.During my Med-Surg I and II the instructor included a project with each class that was worth 10% and in Med-Surg II the class graded you on it and to have somebody else besides the teacher graded me on something thats that important was very hurtful.

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I had trouble with med/surg, I failed the 1st time with a 74.5% and the 2nd time I came out with a 83%(which passing is 76% or above. Some advice I could give is 1. Learn the chapter objectives 2. Know all your vocabulary 3. Do end of chapter reviews and 4. Try to really focus on what you would do as a nurse(care plans). And another tip dont tire yourself out, take breaks. The day of the test eat peanut butter crackers for breakfast, it helps you focus and stay alert.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, ICU, ED.

When I was in LVN school I found Med Surg to be the subject to be the hardest. Here are some things I did to help me study through this course:

1. Read the chapter and summarize it in writing in your own words. If you summarize the material and write it down it helps to have it sink in.

2. Talk to yourself while you read. It may sound crazy but, hearing it will help you hear the material and what is being explained.

3. After you have done this, do the chapter questions. The will help test you on what you do and don't know. Go over those questions you missed and if there is anything you still don't understand, look it up online or in another book/textbook.

4. Do as many NCLEX questions pertaining to the topic you just studied. This will help prepare you when test time comes. Nursing schools administer tests via NCLEX style questions.

Good luck and Hope this helps!

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