[ranaazha]

I'm a recent grad and am currently on a med/tele unit (though medical & surgical are all lumped together). I've been here for 3 months (1 month off orientation). I've signed a contract w/ the hospital to stay in med/surg for 12 months after orientation. I like the medical floor because of all the patho and critical thinking that's involved. We don't have a mix of medical & surgical patients though, so... I'm considering asking to transfer to the surgical unit around my 7 month mark.

Although my initial orientation was 8 weeks long, I don't think they'd have to reorient me that much (since most of it was "new grad" specific stuff), other than reviewing the basic differences of surgical patients. Clearly, surg pts still had med issues, but those aren't their primary reason for being there. I know w/ surgical, your priorities are hemorrhage and infection. (Did I forget anything else?)

Anyone have any thoughts on making a transition like this? Anyone done it and can share their experience? Anyone handle both med & surg pts that can tell me the big differences between each?

TIA

[RNperdiem]

Surgical patients tend to have shorter stays, so there is more turnover of patients over time.
Surgical patients keep you busy with pain control. You will get to know all about PCA's and the various pain meds. Surgical patients have amazing individual variations in response to pain meds.
You will become familiar with pre-op checklists of what needs to be in place before sending a patient to surgery.
Wound care, wound assessment and dressings will be part of your responsibility.