Does anyone like med-surg their 1st year?

MoriahRoseRN · Aug 24, 2006

Anyone?

UM Review RN, ASN, RN · Aug 24, 2006

Hi,
I applied to a local hospital in a medical surgical unit. (It's been one year since I graduated). I am waiting on them to call me back. I am very nervous about this, and I am not sure I can do it.
I have been reading many post, and I am worried to death that I won't be able to keep up with the pace. It seems like every new-grad dislikes their med-surg experience very much, and can't wait to leave (it sounds like torture to me). I am very turned off by nursing right now, and I haven't gotten started yet.
I was a slow poke in school during clinicals, and I don't feel like I caught on fast enough, some of it is probably due to my nerves. I am not sure what to do, should I just go do something else and forget med-surg? Btw, these are the only positions left for the new-grad in the hospitals around here, and there are not a lot of options for new-grads in my area anyhow. My fears are if I don't do med-surg, then I will be stuck in one area of nursing, and I won't be able to move on later if I want a change, because I didn't do the basics.
I'm sorry to sound like a whiner and a failure, but the average person doesn't understand my fears like a nurse would.
I look forward to hearing from anyone that can give me some advice, and thank all for being there for of those of trying to go in the right direction.

First, you have every right to be a little nervous and scared about going into med-surg. It's demanding, it's fast-paced, and as on any unit, these patients can go either way. (Otherwise, they wouldn't be in the hospital.)

So here's my advice:

1. Rather than feel that you're stuck with med-surg once you choose it, you'll discover that the opposite is true--most of the specialty units would prefer that you have at least a year of med-surg under your belt before trying for those units. It'll benefit both you and your patients to have that experience.

2. You might actually find that you LIKE med-surg. Basically, it consists of getting a routine down, careful, frequent assessments, a lot of pain and antibiotic passing, and knowing when to call the doc. Concentrate on doing things right; the speed will just happen.

3. Instead of stressing, study. And develop a good exercise program, because it'll help your stamina through the day. If you're physically strong enough, you'll be able to think better while you're caring for your patients.

4. Remember, you have good resources here! Please let us know if you have any questions or if there's any support we can provide you with as you get your feet wet in this wonderful profession. :)

suzy253, RN · Aug 24, 2006

Anyway....good advice from Angie above. You've made it through school, try not to second guess yourself. Sure, it may take a bit to get up to speed but as a new nurse, I don't think that anyone expects Supernurse. Once you get going, you might find that you like it and will continue to learn so much which is very gratifying. Good luck. Keep in touch. :nuke:

smilin_gp · Aug 24, 2006

I actually do like my Surgical/tele position. I used to think that I might go into critical care after a year or so, but now I'm loving the opportunities for patient education that are available on a Med-Surg floor.

grinnurse, RN · Aug 25, 2006

I started on Med Surge right out of NS last year and at first it was a "stepping stone" to bigger and better position. Now, a little over a year later I wouldn't work anywhere else. You see such a variety of illnesses and treatments it's like no other place. It is definately fast paced and it seems like at times you are juggling a million different things but I have worked on OB and in ER and I would take Med Surge over them any day.

Good luck and rest assured that there are many nurses who started out with their "obligatory" time on Med Surge that wouldn't work anywhere else!!

colleennurse, ASN, RN · Aug 25, 2006

I just graduated from NS in May and I have been working on a med-surg floor since. I really do like it. I didn't have a preference of where I wanted to start and I did like my med-surg rotations in school. I feel like I am learning a lot and I see all sorts of things. I had no prior experience with any type of medical care before I did this. Most nurses know that you do not know much when you are a new nurse and most of them are very willing to help you or show you how to do things. Good luck!

crb613, BSN, RN · Aug 25, 2006

You might just like M/S who knows? You won't be doing the baths, linen changes, ect like you did in clinicals.....so you have more time to focus on actual nsg. Having said that....I do change linens,& give baths if needed.......but that is not my 1st prioirity. I love M/S & I am a new grad. If you don't like it you can always transfer to another unit later on down the road. Good Luck!

Pocamom · Aug 26, 2006

I really love Med/Surg. Granted some days are tough, but aren't they anywhere?? I have learned and continue to learn so much. I look back to 7 months ago when I started on the floor and I just smile. I have learned to prioritize like nobodies business, delegate, throughly assess, and even pick up on signs and alert the MD like I never thought I would learn.

It can be tough, but oh so rewarding. Please try to look at all the positives in each day, yeah maybe I didn't get so and so done, but look what I did accomplish. You know that sort of thing.

And please give your self some credit and praise. You are not a whiner or a failure and your post does not reflect that in anyway. The more you think of yourself the more others will also. Hey you have made it this far, and that is saying a hell of a lot!! :)

MoriahRoseRN · Aug 26, 2006

Hi,

everyone! It is so good to hear some positives about med-surg. Not everyone's experience is going to be the same.

Did any of you hate your med-surg clinicals? If not, then that saids a lot about why you like what you are doing now.

In the back of my mind I have always thought if I hated med-surg clinicals; then I will probably hate med-surg in the real world of nursing.

While in clinicals I'd always worried about my performance, and I was always down on myself if I didn't get something right away, etc. For one thing I was always nervous, and I could not always hide it necessarily. So there are always a lot of factors involved, like self-esteem, experience, etc.

Thanks!

colleennurse, ASN, RN · Aug 26, 2006

You will gain confidence in yourself as time goes on. I have been off of orientation for 2 weeks and I know it is going ot be a while before I feel confident in myself. But I am getting a little better. Nursing is not something that you get overnight. Have the confidence in yourself to know that you can learn to do it, you got through nursing school, didn't you? :) I just keep telling myself that and I know that one day it will come. We will always be learning and challenged and that is part of the reason why I chose to go into nursing. You will find that a lot of nurses will be there to help you and trust me they KNOW what you feel like now. You will learn who can go to for help. I am willing to bet that you will be just fine. Good luck!

GeminiTwinRN, BSN · Aug 27, 2006

You've gotten a lot of great advice here already, so I'll just ask the question that I've been wondering about. What have you been doing since you graduated a year ago? Have you been working as an RN on any type of unit? Just curious what your experience has been since graduation.

Good luck!! :)