Whats the best tool for getting through MedSurg?

Nursing Students General Students

Published

I am going into my first medsurg rotation and am unsure which tool I am going to be needing the most. I bought Getting Straight A's in Med Surg, I have the text book, and the accompanying workbook, but I feel like it is going to be so overwhelming that I am not going to understand it.

Does anyone have any tips for med surg?

Thanks a bunch.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hmm, you don't need anything special. I always make sure I have alcohol and flushes in my pocket. Other than that, just the usual things you use on a daily basis.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

bookwise, try the incredibly easy series or even reviews and rationales...

other stuff that helped me - i made sure i had a good understanding of fluids and electrolytes and spent a good amount of time reviewing all the meds i had learned beforehand and started up my own cards of these.

maybe try reviewing all that you've learned so far and have a notebook ready with certain procedures and important details in your clinical notebook

what also helped me was reviewing a&p - always impt!!

good luck this semester

Up Vote Up Vote ×

i used saunder's nclex review book. it outlines important information that i need to know. after i'm done with reading my textbook, i do review questions. make sure you do review questions from the nclex review book because the questions are very similar to the real test questions. good luck!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Knowing head to toe assessments would be a plus. Also, read about nursing care and procedures for Med. Surg. Ex-pre and post op care. Complications after surgeries, labs norms, ect.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks to all for your suggestions. This semester it is only an 8 week course so it looks like I have alot of work to do during spring break !! LOL

I do have the NCLEX review book but haven't cracked it yet ... guess its time to do it!!

Thanks again !!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuro.

Personally, I don't do well if I try to study ahead for a class like med-surg because I get easily overwhelmed by the size of the book and reading it on my own doesn't help me learn it. So my advice is to attend every lecture, read the book, take good notes.

And try to connect everything you learn in your book to what you see in clinical, and vice versa. Because THAT is how I learn best. You will see diagnoses, tests, machines, etc. in clinical that you haven't learned about in class yet, but when you do, you will already have a working knowledge, and a visual image, of that stuff that you can apply to your booklearning. And when you see stuff in clinical that you HAVE learned in class, it kind of confirms the information and makes it "real."

And for exam stuff, definitely do NCLEX questions on a regular basis. Some books (like Mosby) are arranged by topic (respiratory, endocrine, growth and development, etc.) which makes it easy to pick out questions based on what you're learning in class and being tested on. While doing all NCLEX questions is always good because it helps you learn to think through questions you are unsure of, it's also nice to pinpoint specific information you know you will be responsible for on a particular exam.

Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have done 3 med surg rotations now and there are a few things that i can pass on

first carry scissors, tape, gloves, flushes and alcohol swabs in your pockets at all times you always need them

second get yourself the pocket rn guide it is the best thing since sliced bread it has all your assessments, pathophysiology, iv fluids, certain meds, spanish questions,great great resource and it fits in your pocket

third ask lots of questions to the nurses even if you know the answer they feel good passing on their knowledge to you and you never know who you will meet

fourth enjoy yourself a little bit I know it seems hard now but it is fun remember to cut loose a little bit learn enjoy

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg so far.

And try to connect everything you learn in your book to what you see in clinical, and vice versa. Because THAT is how I learn best. You will see diagnoses, tests, machines, etc. in clinical that you haven't learned about in class yet, but when you do, you will already have a working knowledge, and a visual image, of that stuff that you can apply to your booklearning. And when you see stuff in clinical that you HAVE learned in class, it kind of confirms the information and makes it "real."

Agreed! It's a great feeling when all the pieces fall into place for you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment