Why are we having so much trouble passing Med Surg?

PianoGirl20 · Nov 1, 2008

Gosh, I'm really sorry that you have to put up with such a stressful med surg class, but if you really want to take some sort of action, these would be my ideas...

1.) Try to gather a group together to talk to the instructor. Stay calm and try to objectively explain HOW you studied, that it didn't work, and how they would recommend studying in the future (do they mostly go by notes? textbook? handouts? do you need to know EVERYTHING? etc.)

if however that method proves unsuccessful or the prof is just one of those types who doesn't really offer any helpful info...

2.) I would go (PEACEFULLY!) in a group (or by yourself, if you feel that would be most effective) to the dean or the dean of students and explain in a professional and objective way what is going on-using actual percentages/numbers of students who failed or are in danger of failing. By being objective, using the appointment time, and employing "strength in numbers" tactics, you will be much more likely to impress her with both your maturity and the significance of the problem.

Hope this helps and good luck!

Nursetastic · Nov 2, 2008

My instructor advised us to use NCLEX review materials in addition to our text and notes. I bought Saunders and I've been doing much better on exams. I was getting about 75% (failing in my program) and my last 2 exams were 88% and 90%. I find that anything with instant feedback and rationales helps immensely.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Nov 2, 2008

When you review the questions you are getting wrong on the tests, what is the reason you are getting the answers wrong?

NoviceRN10 · Nov 2, 2008

I hope that you and the other classmates that failed the exam had a meeting with the instructor to go over the exam and get feedback on what you did wrong to prepare for it, or what you were doing wrong when trying to answer the questions. If you don't ask for feedback your instructor can't help you make it through the next exam :). I can see a whole class failing a med-surge exam, they can be tough. It's what you do to prepare for the next one that matters!

ashemson · Nov 2, 2008

I am in the same situation in my med/surg class right now. Four out of 32 passed our first test, and passing rate is an 80% for our nursing program. I did a little better on the second test, and finally passed the third test. Our teacher is very open to discussing our issue, and has repeatedly told us to study the NCLEX books. The questions on her test are straight out of those books. Studying those books really makes you think and determine which one is truly the "best" answer.

FUTURE_RN_08 · Nov 3, 2008

I think if theres a problem with so many flunking a test (e.g. 4 out of 50 passing) they did not get the content. In my opinion that would be the instructors fault, not the 95 % that flunked the test. There is a problem if so many adults flunk one test and I would demand a good explanation. Its a red flag, just indicating they are not being taught what they need to know.

Esther2007 · Nov 3, 2008

I personally find med surg to be easier than Psychiatric nursing. I am taking Meg Surg 4, now and have a 90 average.

I do the following:

I record the lectures, read the book along with the powerpoints, I read to understand and try to apply the information in clinical. I run a study group, where we write out the important information on the board. We try to explain the material to each other. I always make sure I understand the pathophysiology of the disorders. I try to remember the most important signs and symptoms. I rewrite my notes immediately after lecture. Two days before the exams, I use Sauders 4th edition and Lippincotts. I do as many questions related to the material as possible. If I get less than 75%, I go back and read more. I usually only miss 1 or 2 questions. I make sure, I read the rationales. So far, the lowest I have goten in Med Surg was a B- last semester, after my aunt was murdered, that was the only exam I failed. I also follow a very rigid schedule and stick to it to matter what. I study 20 hours a week for the 6 credits course. Good luck to you. If I can do it, you can to.

9livesRN, BSN, RN · Nov 4, 2008

I personally find med surg to be easier than Psychiatric nursing. I am taking Meg Surg 4, now and have a 90 average.
I do the following:
I record the lectures, read the book along with the powerpoints, I read to understand and try to apply the information in clinical. I run a study group, where we write out the important information on the board. We try to explain the material to each other. I always make sure I understand the pathophysiology of the disorders. I try to remember the most important signs and symptoms. I rewrite my notes immediately after lecture. Two days before the exams, I use Sauders 4th edition and Lippincotts. I do as many questions related to the material as possible. If I get less than 75%, I go back and read more. I usually only miss 1 or 2 questions. I make sure, I read the rationales. So far, the lowest I have goten in Med Surg was a B- last semester, after my aunt was murdered, that was the only exam I failed. I also follow a very rigid schedule and stick to it to matter what. I study 20 hours a week for the 6 credits course. Good luck to you. If I can do it, you can to.

Yes Ma'am!

i will be following your footsteps!

phoenixfire · Nov 8, 2008

The way that I prepare for the MedSurg exams is to go over the content in each chapter, answer the NCLEX questions at the end, complete the objectives for each chapter, study the NCLEX questions out of my Saunders book, and go over the chapter content again. I also review my notes, and review the chapters in my Patho book to make sure I didn't miss anything. My grade on the first test was a 70, second test made an 82, and hopefully I will do better on the last two tests and the final. It just seems really odd to me that so many smart people I know are failing, and no one seems to understand why. I've spoken to the instructor, both one on one and in a group, and he seems to think that the answers are common sense. I've noticed that he tends to focus on airway clearance, and that his answer to almost any problem is to slap a pulse ox on the pt and see what they are sat'ing. I got one question wrong because I figured that putting a pulse ox on a pt in respiratory distress was standard, and so I chose the 2nd answer instead of the first.

Jules A, MSN · Nov 9, 2008

I think if theres a problem with so many flunking a test (e.g. 4 out of 50 passing) they did not get the content. In my opinion that would be the instructors fault, not the 95 % that flunked the test. There is a problem if so many adults flunk one test and I would demand a good explanation. Its a red flag, just indicating they are not being taught what they need to know.

Maybe so but it is not something that is likely to get changed.

My advice to the OP would be to figure out what you need to do to pass these exams. Like your instructor said always start with the ABCs and go from there. Often reading too much into the question can interfere with what needs to be done first. Your title and posts keep speaking about the class but thats not the point, imo. I'd shift my focus from why we are having so much trouble to why you are having trouble because even though you might feel comfort in being with the majority if 90% fail there will still be 10% that pass and I'd make sure I was in that group. Hang in there!

jjjoy, LPN · Nov 10, 2008

In my experience, some instructors (not all!) simply weren't very good at writing test questions. Some had questions that seemed rather vague making it such that more than one answer could be argued to be best. And there wasn't much consistency between classes as to what would be emphasized on tests. So you could ace the test in one class and practically fail in another even though you used the same study techniques for each.

So the best strategy to get by was to learn what you could from the first test in a new class as a guide on how to read the questions for the next exam and how to study for the next exam as well. For example, did the instructor give you the normal lab values in the test question or were you expected to have it memorized? That could influence where you focus your limited study time.

When going over the first test, spend less energy on contesting why another answer also makes sense (easier said than done!), and more on trying to see any pattern in the style of questions and the type of answer that the instructor deems is the best to help guide in taking the next test.

Finally, practicing questions from an NCLEX review book can help as most instructors are modeling their questions after the NCLEX.

It helps me to think that nursing test questions often aren't completely objective. It's not like a math test with very clear and structured questions that once formulated have only one possible answer (5+3=?). In clinical practice, there are many variables and one must use their judgement in deciding on a course of action.

In writing questions, the instructor has to create a snapshot clinical scenario and come up with several reasonable options for the multiple choice test, one of which is the "best" option. Ideally, this best option is clear enough that anyone with the appropriate knowledge would choose the same option. But, ideally, the alternate choices aren't too obviously incorrect, as the test should be challenging. In the real world, test questions aren't always written as well as they could be and students have to deal with that.

I'm sure your class will figure out a way through this tough class!