New RN who doesn't want med surg

[DizzyLizzyNurse]

I've had almost 7 years of LPN experience, 9 years total in health care. I'm a charge nurse of a unit with over 40 residents.

I have 2 weeks of RN school left. I'm interested in "non med surg" jobs, like ICU. I know a lot of people say you should have a year to learn to prioritize and organize yourself and interact with drs, other nurses, pts, and families. I'm just wondering if you guys would think that's still true for someone like me. I really don't want to do med surge.

Anyone with experience like mine just jumped into something like ICU before? How did it work out? During clinicals the RNs and my teachers could usually tell I had health care experience without me telling. They said it was my confidence and the way I would interact with the pts and families.

Thanks in advance!

[greenfiremajick]

I've had almost 7 years of LPN experience, 9 years total in health care. I'm a charge nurse of a unit with over 40 residents.

I have 2 weeks of RN school left. I'm interested in "non med surg" jobs, like ICU. I know a lot of people say you should have a year to learn to prioritize and organize yourself and interact with drs, other nurses, pts, and families. I'm just wondering if you guys would think that's still true for someone like me. I really don't want to do med surge.

Anyone with experience like mine just jumped into something like ICU before? How did it work out? During clinicals the RNs and my teachers could usually tell I had health care experience without me telling. They said it was my confidence and the way I would interact with the pts and families.

Thanks in advance!

I am not yet a nurse, but when you said "you should have a year to learn to prioritize and organize yourself" and that you were charge over 40 residents, it immediately made me start thinking about how many posts I have seen from new nurses starting in LTC, that are in a total panic over having to learn to organize their time/priorities, etc (because they are so overwhelmed with so many residents and things to accomplish in a day)...Could you put a spin on that, in order to show you already HAVE amazing time management skills??

[Caffeine_IV]

You can start anywhere they will hire you.

If you can sell yourself and feel comfortable starting in critical care..I say go for it!

[86toronado, BSN, RN]

It can't hurt to apply to other jobs like ICU, ED... just make sure you have some "backup" jobs too. In this economy being choosy can cost you having any job after graduation. Good luck to you!

[dthfytr, ADN, LPN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-I]

Have you passed ACLS yet? That would reassure any critical care unit.

[DizzyLizzyNurse]

Greenfiremajick, I have that on my resume! Yeah I'm applying for anything and everything. I spent a few days in an ICU and ER for school and found both much more interesting than med surg. But right now I'll take what I can get! Just tired of LTC. And I was very stressed when I started there. It took me about a year to stop panicking every day when I left, thinking I forgot something. And no I haven't taken ACLS.

[SharonH, RN]

If you're not interested in med-surg, don't do it. It's not fair to whatever unit you might be hired on. All the skills you mentioned can be learned on other units and other specialties.

[GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN]

I think you would be fine- LTC is similar to Med/Surg- I know you try to not send people out and still do things like foleys, IV's, dressings, lots of insulins, etc. LTC seems to be more and more acute these days. Sure the pt's on med/surg are sicker- but really IMO it is easier b/c you have 6-8 people and families to take care of vs. 40. All it takes is one fall or admission/one pt goes bad in LTC and your shift is ruined. I think it would be fine to skip over med/surg in your case. Whenever we get a nurse who has worked LTC in the past on the med/surg unit, she/he seems to do just fine and be done before the staff that has been doing med/surg for years. I did LTC as an LPN for a few months- I had to quit- I couldn't handle it. I did FINE, actually actually well in Med/surg as an RN. I didn't have the time management issue that I had in LTC. There are plenty of families and issues and time management issues to deal with in LTC. I hope you can skip over med/surg if that is what you want. But really, it isn't that bad compared to LTC if you end up having to do it awhile.

[NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN]

I was an LVN for four years, worked in a variety of settings including long term care. I had to use more time management skills there than any other job. I went straight into ICU as a new RN. It should look better on your resume and give you a shot. The hospital seemed to know I already had my time management skills. They thought I could handle ICU, and I did fine, no issues. You already have the basics down whereas other new RNs are still grasping those skills. Good luck and I hope you find what you want!

[HeartsOpenWide, RN]

I do not think starting out on med/surg is always necessary. I started out right in L&D. However, these days in this job market most have to take what they can, although you may have an advantage with your LPN experience.

[NurseBlogger, BSN, RN]

We have a 6 month orientation in our ED for new grads. I've worked with lots of new grads in both ICU and ED. You get the best 1-1 learning there. I always recommend new grads start in either. Good luck!

[ImThatGuy, BSN, RN]

I've never even been a nurse, but I know I don't want / wouldn't like med-surg. I can't even stand that phrase.