Why are we having so much trouble passing Med Surg?

[phoenixfire]

Ok, my class is fairly large, and we are all intelligent individuals. There are always a few who do not study, but even those of us who study constantly are failing, or in danger of failing! On the first test, only three people passed out of almost 50! What are we doing wrong? I could understand it better if I wasn't studying, or if I were using methods that did not apply to nursing, but there are a large majority of the students in my class who use the methods we have been taught since last semester. Any guesses? Even advice?

[Natingale, EdD, RN]

I would find out what the people passing are doing to pass.

[frstlady]

Wow!! I thought my class was the only one having problems. Most of my class is either failing or had dropped and that is truly sad because we have some bright people in my class. I must say that I am one of the ones that dropped and hopefully I will back at it in January. I really wanted to graduate in May but now graduating in December does not sound so bad. for all of those in my shoes, don't give up, you can do it. Best wishes and good luck.

[chevyv, BSN, RN]

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.

Have to agree 100% with you. Absolutely, this is an instructor failure first. I also agree with another poster who posted to go to the dean in numbers because there is strength in numbers. Do not be accusatory, but the Dean should be made aware of this so something can be done. If not, her job may be on the line. In our school 3rd semester students had a 95% fail rate. They went to the Dean and she did nothing. They took it up the ladder to state level and last I heard, our Dean was working up in Michigan somewhere.

[spuropathy]

I LOVE med-surg.

Definitely my favorite subject. Its where everything makes sense for me.

Just know the pathophysiology is my advice to you. Once you know it, the interventions and contraindications will start making sense. Memorization would do very little (helpful for values though).. its more like practicality and knowing the disease process as a whole.

And test tips of course.. do you have meds pub? They have a good section there on strategies alone.

Good luck with it. Dont try to memorize it; try to KNOW it by heart so you wont forget it some months later. Im positive it will make sense. Its not mental health.

And yes.. NCLEX questions are very helpful. Its a good way of retaining material; make sure to read rationales and be sure to understand them and put it to your head lol. (I dont write them.. just read them).

[phoenixfire]

Okay ladies and gents, here's an update for you: I'm now within passing range (by the skin of my teeth, but still passing) and other students are dropping like flies. We did go to the Dean, and she has said that she will address the issue by looking at who is turning in their homework and who isn't. I'm not sure if that's an appropriate response, but what do I know? Im just a humble nursing student.

I've given up on trying to make sense of this instructor's logic, all I can do is adjust my tactics and pass this class. So far so good, but it saddens me to see so many potentiallly wonderful nurses drop out because of this professor. I try to be as positive as I can, posting reviews on our student website, tutoring those who are willing, and being positive towards my classmates. I don't know how much it helps, but I figure if I can help one person pass the class and get to their boards, maybe I will have made a difference.

I'll be sure to keep you all posted, as we are almost to the end of the semester, and tommorrow is the last day to drop. It will be very interesting to see who is still in class next week.