Med-Surg - help!

[RFA158]

I have been an RN for 3 years, working full-time in community health in CA. Am returning to the hospital (med-surg) full-time, as I am obtaining my MSN in nursing education. I am a bit nervous about the switch, but wanted to do it, as I felt I was losing clinical skills. A few questions:

1) What should I purchase in terms of supplies? Of course, already being an RN, I already have a stethoscope, scrubs, etc.

2) Also...any advice??? Please?

Thanks,

Sascha B.

[RNSuzq1, RN]

Hi Sascha,

Congrats on the MSN, that's wonderful - I'm assuming your goal is becoming a Nursing School Instructor, we need lots of those.

Re: Supplies for working on a Med/Surg floor - I carry a bag of junk with me each night (including med/surg books I never get a chance to read), but all you really need are the basics - stethescope, scissors, hemostats, penlight, black pens. All other supplies are on the floor. We always load up our pockets with tape, syringes, NS vials, alcohol swabs and various stickers needed for IV tubing, etc. - saves a lot of steps running back and forth to pick up supplies.

The volume of pt's is a bit overwhelming at first, but you get used to it. My stumbling block has never been patient care (that's my favorite part of the job) - it's the mtn's of paperwork. I'm always amazed at the amount of paperwork required for a procedure that takes 5 minutes - but as they say - have to CYA - Cover Your A**!!!

Best of luck to You - let us know if you have anymore questions, Sue

[Pachinko]

If finances are tight (and whose aren't), hold off on buying anything new except steth and scrubs. My floor provides pens, highlighters, pen lights, etc.

In terms of advice...I'm in only my tenth month of nursing on a telemetry floor (with some non-monitored med-surg patients), but I'd say to work on developing an organization system for yourself. After a few months I learned to make a schedule, hour by hour, of all the essential stuff that needed to get done for every pt--meds, dressing changes, blood draws, etc. I've needed to use it less and less as I've gotten more used to the routine of my floor, but it was extremely helpful in the beginning and allowed me to relax because I didn't have hold everything in my head.

[danggirl]

Welcome to Med/Surg! It's crazy and frustrating at times but it is a great career builder. I agree with SusanNC, you'll need your trusty stethoscope of course but then scissors, hemostats, black pens and a penlight. Can't depend on the floor to provide. Once on the floor be sure to carry with you all the time tape, alcohol pads and saline flushes! Oh yeah, and don't forget a good pair of shoes.