Almost done with school and I hate floor nursing--HELP!

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in PMHNP student.

Hi all,

I'm graduating in 2 months from nursing school and am currently in practicum. I am amazed at how much red tape and paperwork and stress is involved with nursing and how 12 hour shifts turn into 13, 14 hour shifts so easily. I see how the nurses stress eat during shift and are frazzled and pulled in so many different directions. I am feeling deflated and discouraged and stressed, like this is NOT what I want to do. Does it get better? I am primarily interested in OR or procedures but know it will take a while to get into those areas. Any encouraging words?

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Specializes in L&D.

I don't particularly care for floor nursing either in certain areas....I knew I wanted to specialize quickly (in OB) and I did. I will tell you this...floor nursing as an RN is completely different than as a student. You don't have to worry about everything you have before. Also if you are concerned about it, make sure to plan your day accordingly. I am almost never having to stay late. I stay on top of my charting, and on top of my patients. If I do end up staying late, it's to help with a procedure(new nurse here, so need all the experience I can get).

Hi all,

I'm graduating in 2 months from nursing school and am currently in practicum. I am amazed at how much red tape and paperwork and stress is involved with nursing and how 12 hour shifts turn into 13, 14 hour shifts so easily. I see how the nurses stress eat during shift and are frazzled and pulled in so many different directions. I am feeling deflated and discouraged and stressed, like this is NOT what I want to do. Does it get better? I am primarily interested in OR or procedures but know it will take a while to get into those areas. Any encouraging words?

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I, too, got totally stressed out by the thought of floor nursing. Definitely not for me.

So....I just didn't do it. Started at an outpatient surgical center and am now doing outpatient endoscopy. Love it! Days are rarely longer than 8 or 9 hours, the day passes quickly, and each patient is only in the facility for a few hours. No nights, weekends or holidays!

It seems that outpatient surgery is really growing. You like OR and procedures....so start putting your feelers out to ASCs! I would also get ACLS certification because from what I have experienced that is always a requirement.

Good luck!!

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Specializes in Ambulatory Surgery, Ophthalmology, Tele.
I, too, got totally stressed out by the thought of floor nursing. Definitely not for me.

So....I just didn't do it. Started at an outpatient surgical center and am now doing outpatient endoscopy. Love it! Days are rarely longer than 8 or 9 hours, the day passes quickly, and each patient is only in the facility for a few hours. No nights, weekends or holidays!

It seems that outpatient surgery is really growing. You like OR and procedures....so start putting your feelers out to ASCs! I would also get ACLS certification because from what I have experienced that is always a requirement.

Good luck!!

Yep, I agree with what she said. This was going to be my advice. I work in an ambulatory surgery center after 4 1/2 years of floor nursing. I LOVE the ASC where I work and plan to stay there for the next 20 years. :yes:

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