Not happy with med/surg...

cannoli · Oct 13, 2003

After your six months are up, try for mother/baby if that's what you want.

Some of the patients might be a little bit younger on a general surgery floor as opposed to a medical floor.

If your place has a women's health, gyn, women's surgical floor, that should be a little better than med/surg.

Good luck.

bluesky, BSN, RN · Oct 13, 2003

I'd apply to another hospital in the area for an OB/GYN position. If I got it, I'd give the current hospital an ultimatum- switch me now or I'm gone. That's a little rough but remember this is a business and you have to play hard ball sometimes too.

MishlB · Oct 13, 2003

You do not have to work med/surg to gain experience if you do not ultimately want to work there. I say go for what you want...and you will have orientation which helps. You learn so much on the job. Go for mother/baby if you like that area. I knew med/surg would not be for me either, so I avoided it.

allnurses Guide · Oct 13, 2003

I agree with MishlB . . . go where your heart is. Otherwise you'll just get burned out.

Best Wishes,

steph

roxannekkb · Oct 13, 2003

Ditto what others said. You don't need med/surg experience, unless you want to work there. I never worked med/surg. Apply for a job where you will be happy. It's not fair to you or your patients to stay where you are. Try to find a job in mother/baby at another hospital if you don't want to stay for six months.

Good luck.:)

RNNC2003 · Oct 13, 2003

Thank you so much everyone! I was starting to feel like if I couldn't cut it in med/surg, then I may not be able to cut it as a nurse, period.

purplemania, BSN, RN · Oct 13, 2003

I worked mother-baby for years and can tell you that 100% care is done there too. Nursing is hard whereever you go. I do agree you should investigate a transfer, since the facility has trained you to a certain extent and may want to keep you. If you give any ultimatums just be sure you can back them up. You might try talking to Staff development or Educator to get opinion on facility as a whole. I work with grads and some always quit after a few months and go elsewhere, thinking the grass is greener at another facility. Like I said, nursing is hard anywhere. Good luck. I hope you find your fit.

RNNC2003 · Oct 13, 2003

Please let me clarify something. I'm not trying to get out of med/surg because it is "hard". I want out because:

1. It's not where I wanted to be in the first place.

2. It's a chaotic learning environment, and I learn better doing something over and over again. With med/surg, you get bombarded with so many different diagnosis, it's hard to remember what's what. Some people enjoy the chaos, I don't.

3. I loved Mother/Baby when I had clinicals there. I also enjoyed GYN med/surg. I guess it's just more interesting to me, which makes it a better learning environment for me.

Thanks again for everyone's thoughts. I feel much better now.

happystudent, RN · Oct 13, 2003

RNNC2003--

I started a thread a week or so ago about NOT going to med surg after graduation.....I feel my calling is in ICU. I have absolutely No desire to do the "med-surg thing". I am SO SORRY you got stuck in that specialty......I bet everyone said "You have to do this (med surg) to have a foundation to build on"

I think that is Phooey! If you want OB, you should apply elsewhere to get into it. I "personally" think if a new grad is smart, willing to work hard and absorb everything, you should have No problem with attaining your goals!

I sincerely hope things work out for you..(((((hug))))

All I know is I DO NOT want to be stuck on M/S......

LINUS · Oct 13, 2003

Yeah, everyone did tell me to start there. THey did warn me that I'd probably hate it though. I think for some people who like the chaos, it's probably OK. But, for me, a choatic environment just adds to my stress. I learn better doing something over and over again. At least with OB or Post Partum, they're pretty much doing the same thing over and over. I know the delivery part can be very hectic though. I worked as a unit clerk at my old hospital and some nights was great, some were out of control. I expect that, but with med/surg, it seems like everything is ALWAYS out of control... maybe it's just me. Thanks for your input though!

Teshiee · Oct 13, 2003

Nursing is hard no matter what area you choose. I love NICU, the work can be challenging, heartbreaking and rewarding but it is what I love and I don't see it as a lot of work. You have to find what makes YOU happy! I did Med/Surg and quickly got out of it. New grad or not it is a work horse floor, loading you with all those patients. What I hated most about Med/surg was I couldn't take the time to know my patient's and was only a med nurse to them. Apply at other hospitals if one comes through with what you want go there! Remember, you are a RN too many jobs too much out there than to be miserable in one you don't like. I wish you well. I am sure you will find your haven. Keep in touch and tell us how it is going. :-)