Need help passing my second semester of nursing.

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Hi guys, i'm in my second semester of my 2 year nursing program. The first semester was a breeze to me but this semester is totally kicking my ass. I already failed and need to retake it next semester if theres room if not next spring. I'm studying their powerpoints, reading textbooks, and doing practice questions and it doesnt help. I would use our computer lab and do NCLEX review programs pertaining to my subject, do about 100 questions and get about 15 wrong. but when it comes down to taking the school test i fail them with 58s and this is from 50 question test. I find their wording is so tricky and its not as straight forward like the NCLEX. I honestly feel like in order for me to pass these tests i would have to remember every single word on their power points and that way i can somehow get to the answers better. Does anyone have any tips for me when i take it again. This semester i was learning about the GI, respiratory, pediatrics and psychiatric. Thank you

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You didn't mention which class you failed second semester?

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oops. I failed NU 102 med surg. I'm currently at queens borough community college in nyc

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UGH! med surg was the hardest for me too!!!!!!! I went from honor roll to high 60! I found reading from the texts before class after class and making good old cue cards!!!!! and thing i didn't understand I youtubed! Repetition! for the exam i used the nclex book recommended from the school!!!! I wish you luck! It is a very hard class that is for sure!

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Med surg is not about memorization. It's about being able to apply what you learned. What worked for me was focusing in s/s of the major diseases of each system, med families, and nursing priorities. And review questions. I got an A in the class. If you just focus on memorizing and trying to do a brain dump on the test the questions that are worded 'tricky' will get you. Learn. Just not memorize.

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We have 3 separate classes for the topics you covered (Peds, Behavioral, and Adult Health). That's a lot to cover in one class!

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Med surg is not about memorization. It's about being able to apply what you learned. What worked for me was focusing in s/s of the major diseases of each system, med families, and nursing priorities. And review questions. I got an A in the class. If you just focus on memorizing and trying to do a brain dump on the test the questions that are worded 'tricky' will get you. Learn. Just not memorize.

Well learning the signs and symptoms isn't that kind of like memorizing it?

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It not strict memorization if you relate the s/s to what you learned in A&P. Think about what the liver does in the body. What would happen it starts to fail? Just offer an alternative. Build relationships.

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.... I see why our faculty says giving us their powerpoints is a thing of the past. People tend to just read notes and ignore other sources.

This is not an A&P course.... Memory based learning isn't efficient in nursing... You know that!(:

Its time you and your book have a one on one.

I would answer NCLEX questions before reading so you read with the correct mindset.

If you're doing HF answer nclex questions about HF

You can Google "HF nclex questions"

Then read about HF.

Its almost like you are conversing with your text... Make it engaging... Not about 100% memory.

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Specializes in Cardiology and ER Nursing.

Med/Surg is about identifying what is going on with the patient based on assessment data (signs and symptoms) and then knowing what to do about it.

The NCLEX is the same way. You'll get a list of signs and symptoms in a question. Then it'll ask you to to pick an intervention or you might get a SATA where you pick all interventions that would work.

Not only will you need to identify what is going on with your patient (disease process) based on the signs and symptoms. You also then have to identify appropriate interventions.

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What was your GPA in pre reqs when you got accepted?

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How about doing test review with an instructor? They should be able to give you tips about their questions and how to shift your thinking to adapt to them.

Your textbook should also have info about assessment, interventions, sample care plans, potential complications, etc for each disease. I would look at those closely. Don't get too hung up on the details of all the pathophys (which can be daunting). What can you, as the nurse do about the condition? What should you be assessing, especially to prevent a bad outcome/potential complication? Based on your assessment, what should you do? Then you have to start considering what intervention is the most important based on the scenario. That's what Med/Surge II is all about. These are the types of things you should be doing in clinical so that when you see it on a test, it's not foreign to you.

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