MedSurg vs. Other.......

yesdog, BSN, RN · Jun 25, 2009

I just landed a job straight from graduation into the SICU. I have two classmates going directly into ED and one into the OR. It is totally possible. Get pre-graduation experience in the department you want to work in. Good luck!

PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN · Jun 25, 2009

Go straight to OR.

Find a hospital willing to train you...go for it...why suffer working in a specialty you don't like?

SteffersRN87, BSN, RN · Jun 25, 2009

I do not believe in the med/surg rule of thumb. Do what makes you happy!!! I began in ICU and found out that I hated sputum and trying to see how much Ativan I could give to a patient going through ETOH withdrawal before they needed tubed. I am in outpatient oncology & BMT right now... AND I LOVE IT!!! Honestly, I enjoy going to work. My manager required at least 2 years of experience, but I got in with 8 months. Apply for any job that you want and don't be afraid to market yourself. The worst thing that could happen is that you get turned down. Offer to shadow for a day, which works in your favor.

SCgirl22 · Jun 25, 2009

Go for what you want to do! There are plenty of hospitals that take new grads into specialty areas and train extensively. Positions are competitive but they are out there.

I made the mistake of taking a med-surg job and guess what, I'm still there. While I've certainly learned a lot, I wish I had known then what I know now. I would have waited it out and taken a job in an area where I really wanted to be.

ladnewnurse · Jun 25, 2009

I graduated last December & I did start in Med-Surg because I figured it would be good for me. It's definately not where I want to be forever, but it seems like a good place to start. You get a little of everything. Where I work you get a lot of elderly, CHF, COPD exacerbation, dementia, hip fx. etc. BUT, not everyone in my class chose to do this. I know there were some that went straight into the specialty that they wanted to. One girl to the burn unit, some to NICU, CCU, Phych stuff!!! So if you REALLY hate it, don't do it, but is a good way to get generalized experience.

nkara, CNA · Jun 25, 2009

the ER is not an impossible feat for new grads. I see plenty of them being hired where I work. Go for what you want!

nursecassia · Jun 25, 2009

I graduated a year ago and I really thought I would specialize and not work just on a regular med surg floor..I too heard all of the talk about how I should work med surg for a couple years blah blah blah and I thought these people were out to lunch because I HATED Ortho etc...anyways, I ended up taking a job on an Ortho Neuro floor just to get in there and it has turned out to be the complete opposite of what I thought it was going to be..It is so much fun not being a student anymore and being out of that mindset I have truly started to appreciate what I have learned in the last year...I have gone through SO MUCH in the last year and I have had so many positve and negative experiences that it really helped me come to a decision as to where I want to go.... Im waiting one more year then apply to the nurse practitioner program..I figure I could specialize and make 50 more a month in ICU or EMERG or I could just do the time and double what I make here in Canada.... I would not rush to making your decision right now..I would honestly take the time to develop some of your skills because believe me your entire outlook will change within a years time, you will not be the same person you are now...and you dont have to decide right now, I think I was in such a hurry to make a decision, nursing is a life long profession you could work in 10 different areas if you wanted to...good luck.

Virgo_RN, BSN, RN · Jun 25, 2009

As others have said, there is no hard and fast rule that you have to start in med/surg. I started out in cardiac as a new grad.

However, keep in mind that the dream job you want may have qualifications, such as one year of acute care nursing experience, before they will even interview you. Our ICUs and our ED do not hire new grads, with the exception of a new grad training program for the ICU that is highly competitive and only has openings every once in a while. Our OR does not hire anyone without previous OR experience, and they won't even look at your application if you don't have it.

So, while some people think you should follow your heart and go where you will be happy, which in theory I agree with, you also need to look at your local job market and see what kinds of requirements the departments you'd like to work for place upon applicants. They may indeed require you to have a year of med/surg under your belt before they will hire you.