What does Med Surg Mean in Nursing School?

[adampricecna]

Hi, So i'm in nursing school and I just started. I keep hearing that "Med-Surg" is SOOOO hard. But what exactly is Med Surg nursing and why is it supposedly soooo hard, what's so hard about it in nursing school. I can't seem to get a clear answer. Med Surg is not until the end of the LPN program I'm in, but I need to know whats the big whoop.

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

Med-Surg is typically the class where you learn about the majority of adult health related problems as well as interventions (ie ng tubes, foleys, etc) Since the majority of pts in the hospital tend to be adults, med-surg classes tend to be the most emphasized.

[GoodtimeRN]

Medical Surgical nursing is difficult because there is SO MUCH INFORMATION to know, and many of the diseases and disorders in the same category have similar signs and symptoms, so you have to know how to distinguish them from one another. Also, it involves an IMMENSE amount of memorization of drugs (generic and trade names, side effects, signs of toxicity, interactions w/other drugs/foods, which drugs are used for what, etc). There is just SO MUCH READING involved, and the teachers tend to move at a very fast pace. We did Med Surg at the beginning of phase 2 and lost a few people. It's a subject that you just can't get behind in, so don't take it lightly. Good luck!!

[Graduate Nurse Priscilla]

Hello, I was wondering what you would recommend to do to prepare for med-surg. I start in about a month in a half and want to get a head start .

Thanks!