OR to Medical/Neuro

Nurses General Nursing

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Good morning! So, I am a new nurse that started out in the OR 6 months ago. As much as I love the surgeries, the OR just isn't for me and I need more patient care. I have accepted a job on a medical/neuro floor. I feel like I am totally starting from scratch and remember nothing from nursing school. What is your best advice? What should I be brushing up on and reading up on before I begin this new nursing journey? Thanks in advance!

Just bumping this up in hopes of some advice from all the great nurses here!

Neuro itself is an interesting subject.

A true neuro unit would be an interesting place to start as a new nurse; however -

The neuro unit tends to be one of the least desirable places to work as a nurse =>

-It tends to be the dumping ground for the least desirable patients - the unruly ones, the dramatic ones, and the ones who need total care.

-Imagine psych patients with access to a call button

-I do not know about your area, but where I live, the neuro units tend to have a high turnover rate. See if that is the case where you live.

Before you commit to this unit, it is highly advised that you shadow the unit during the shift (i.e. day shift, night shift, etc.) that you plan to work.

Thank you for the advice. So sorry I didn't see this before I took the plunge. It's been a stressful, whirlwind, that I am dying to get out of. This is a good learning experience and I am doing my best to hold out, but I know this is not the last stop on my nursing journey. I can't take this floor much longer. I feel like I'm failing as a new nurse. Not sure how normal it is to have had 2 jobs in my first year and already needing to move on again.

Is going back to OR still an option?

For me, I don't think so as I really want more patient care; one that's awake :). The manager did tell a girl I worked with that I could come back anytime, but that wouldn't be right, as I still wouldn't be happy. They've also changed the on-call requirements, and I live too far now. I'm sure I will find my niche; the sooner the better!

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