[Beary-nice]

I have worked in M/S as a LPN the last 3 years and will be finishing my ADN in May 2007. Actually the floor is more medical than surgical. Last Fall they put the surgicals with peds. Anyway, I have always wanted to work in critical care and like most others, I know I have to spend my time in M/S before I could even realistically be in an ICU setting.

Okay, I'll get to the question...Is it okay to live your life just being a really great M/S nurse?? I know it is my decision to figure out what to do ultimately but are there M/S nurses out there who love it....love it...love it so much as to even be certified??? Right now that is what I am thinking. Or maybe I am just doubting myself because I have fallen into a little niche where I am comfortable with most all of my coworkers, my managers, and yes, the doctors???

I guess if anyone would like to tell me that it is okay to like M/S...I would at least like to hear that and that one can survive...and yes, be good at it.

Thanks all for at least looking at my corny, wacky, post...I am having identity issues today!!!

[rnmi2004]

If you've found yourself a niche where you like the job, the co-workers, and *gasp* even the doctors, stay put! Med-surg is an area where you could spend several lifetimes in it, even get certified, and still not have seen it all or learned everything there is to know. That's why I like it so much.

[MT RN]

I have to agree. If you like what you're doing, why change? I haven't been doing it for that long, but I was a tech on the same floor for two years before becoming a nurse. Although it is a lot of work, and the nurse-patient ratio is much too high, I really value the experience and look at it as a challenge. I like everyone I work with and can't imagine going to another unit at this point.

I also figure if I ever do decide to go into another area, my organizational skills are so good that anything else will be easy. I'm very confident that I can go anywhere and do a good job.

[Beary-nice]

Thank-you rnmi2004 and MT RN!!! That is what I was looking for!

It seems the more and more I think about it, M/S may be the place for me. I am used to constant chaos and change. I love challenges (never thought I'd say that in a million years). We really have a potporri where I work and the experiences would be phenomenal.

I agree though, the ratios are bad...but,the floor I work on usually has 4-6 apiece with CNAs split for 2-2 1/2 RNs...which is probably better than many other places on the planet. There are cardiac drips we do now, we have always had telemetry pts, it's just wildcard everywhere I look.

Thanks again for your responses!!!