future graduate advice

Nurses New Nurse

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Hello everybody,

I will graduate from an RN program in December; I am still debating between working in Med Surg, OR, or OB. People told me to work in Med Surg for at least 1 year and then switch to something else if I want (for the experience). Any suggestions? Thank you.

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Specializes in Cardiac Stepdown.

I attended the National Student Nurses Association convention over the weekend and this question was asked several times. The majority of the "expert/experienced" nurses said that if you know you want to work in a particular area there's no reason to work in Med/Surg first if you don't like it.

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Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.

I have a question that's bothering me -- a LOT!! Somehow, I've actually managed to make it through almost 3 semesters of my ADN program!! I honestly wondered often during the first semester or so whether I would do this....

Now, it looks like I will....do you feel anywhere near ready to go and work somewhere?!?! I feel like I've learned a little bit about a lot of things...but am no where near qualified to go work somewhere...

I'm still not even sure where I want to work...I've got some shadows set up @ a children's hospital and did an internship last summer in an ED (I think I've ruled that out however) and am petrified of making a final decision that might not be a great fit right off the bat...

Am I alone with a lot of these feelings?!?! :confused:

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Now, it looks like I will....do you feel anywhere near ready to go and work somewhere?!?! I feel like I've learned a little bit about a lot of things...but am no where near qualified to go work somewhere...

.......

Am I alone with a lot of these feelings?!?! :confused:

I will be graduating in 3 weeks or 6 clinical days and 3 lecture days away from being done! I had been feeling exactly how you have been... wondering if I am qualified to work somewhere, but then I start looking back to what I knew and what I know now and it comforts me to know that I picked up on something that I wouldn't have my first semester.

I have a job interview Wednesday for a graduate nurse program and next week I have three interviews in three various floors for oncology and somehow the more I think about it getting to work is the continuation of my education and this excites me to keep going.

Look back to what you've done and know that everyday your on the floor or reading your learning a little more. Good luck!!

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Specializes in RN- Med/surg.

No- You're not alone. I had never had an anxiety attack before my last semester in nursing school. My poor husband thought I was loosing it. After all my hard work..I was literally having anxiety attacks over the thought that someone would pay me to be a nurse. I didn't feel competent...there was so much I didn't know.

Alot of it will click when you study for boards. Without constant new material going in...alot of the old stuff just clicks better. If you find a good facility...they will train you well. I've been on the floor for 3 months now and feel so much better. They put me through a 9 week EKG and critical care class, and I just passed my ACLS today. I have tons to learn, and little experience...but I'm safe and I care for my pts well. Remember...you won't be ALONE. Be willing to call the dr or charge nurse.

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if you can avoid med surg do it

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I have a question that's bothering me -- a LOT!! Somehow, I've actually managed to make it through almost 3 semesters of my ADN program!! I honestly wondered often during the first semester or so whether I would do this....

Now, it looks like I will....do you feel anywhere near ready to go and work somewhere?!?! I feel like I've learned a little bit about a lot of things...but am no where near qualified to go work somewhere...

I'm still not even sure where I want to work...I've got some shadows set up @ a children's hospital and did an internship last summer in an ED (I think I've ruled that out however) and am petrified of making a final decision that might not be a great fit right off the bat...

Am I alone with a lot of these feelings?!?! :confused:

You aren't alone. I geaduate in December and still ahve no clue. In the meantime I got a job on a general surg floor. It's hard work, but you learn SOOOO much. I don't think I'll regret it. Good luck to you.

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Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.
You aren't alone. I geaduate in December and still ahve no clue. In the meantime I got a job on a general surg floor. It's hard work, but you learn SOOOO much. I don't think I'll regret it. Good luck to you.

Same to you Soul....I know I've seen you around a lot since I/we started this journey -- what seems like yesterday!!

I was talking to a fellow student today and mentioned that the more I see and hear, unless I fall in love during my shadows, I most likely will head to a med/surg floor. If nothing else, I feel the experience will only benefit my in the long run; as long as I get a good orientation and don't work somewhere that I'll be assigned an unreasonable # of pts!!

Best wishes!! I hope all goes well with you!

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