Med-Surg Roll Call

Jubei · Aug 13, 2005, 11:24 AM

I grew up on med surg! Started off as a CNA all the way up to LVN (4 different job titles in MS) for almost 8 years! Went through all the strikes with my fellow healthcare workers when nobody wanted to be a "nurse" back in the 90s.

NurCrystal22 · Aug 20, 2005, 02:46 PM

Hello all, I was just offered a job on a med/surg floor. I start September 19th.

~Crystal

mandrews · Aug 20, 2005, 04:53 PM

Hello

I graduated 12/04 from a diploma rn program. I have been med-surg for 8 monthes and I love it. I have been searching on the internet for nursing networks and I recently downloaded a membership application for AMSN. I really don't know what all is out there but I am going to get more info on AMSN. Im interested in their certification program.

melissa

med/surg flt rn · Aug 20, 2005, 10:06 PM

In the Med/Surg float pool

Hello!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I also start out in Med/Surg after graduating in 5/2003, almost 3 years worth. It is really challenging being in the float pool. I work Med/Surg-tele/ortho/neuro/worked oncology seldom, any way it is very challenging and difficult at time especially when nurse ration is from 6-11, at least for me, since I work 12 hours night. I am seriously wanted to go into ED and also considered correctional nurse, since I done observation in the two area. I plan to relocate to albuquerque, NM this summer of 2006, Im currently in Tulsa, Okla. and rushing to escape. Once I relocate try to get into a fellowship program in the ED department because I need a change

jbeck817 · Sep 05, 2005, 10:24 PM

Sort of a new grad.........

I have only been a nurse for a year. In that time, I worked in L and D for two months(never having done clinicals in OB, never should have been there), psych nursing (liked it but needed med-surg) and have been in med-surg for 7 months. Med-surg is challenging and the rewards are few. I have had the opportunity to have a CN who decided she was the all-knowing omnipotent alpha female and questioned everything I did.........even began to spread gossip about me!

But..........I transferred to another unit, things are well there. Definitely need to prove myself again, however. It's been a hard road.One they don't prepare you for in school. I'm lucky in that my resolve isn't to take s--- and give up. The threads here are compelling and I am glad to see that there are experienced nurses who can relate. I hope that things start looking up more...............

dawn1rhino · Sep 06, 2005, 08:55 AM

charge nurse...already?!?!?!?!

Originally Posted by RNPATL

Hi all ... thought it was about time to have a Med-Surg roll call .... please repond by telling us if you work in med-surg .... how long you have been there and if you plan on staying in med surg .... also, please let us know if you hold certification in med-surg through ANCC or AMSN. Thanks ....

I will start ....

I am a nurse manager for a 40 bed med-surg unit. Love med-surg, but am challenged daily by how busy the unit is and how sick our patient population is. I plan on remaining in med-surg for a number of years (at least until I finish my Masters degree and start teaching). I am not currently certified, but am planning on taking the test in October throught AMSN.

I think the thing I LOVE the most about M/S is the diversity of patients we see. You really need to be a nursing generalist to be successful in med-surg.

Hi! I graduated 05/05/05 and began orientation 05/30/05. Tonight 09/05/05 I was required to "team lead" - actual I was tricked into being charge nurse. I had refused two times previously, this time I was told I would team lead and later learned that I had accepted the charge nurse position.
I have expressed my concern over accepting this responsibility with my manager and two house supervisors and have been told that it means nothing more than doing the bed assignments. I do not believe them. I feel like I risked my license tonight and am just lucky that nothing monumental occurred. I am hoping you can give me some advise. Thanks!

mandrews · Sep 06, 2005, 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by dawn1rhino

Hi! I graduated 05/05/05 and began orientation 05/30/05. Tonight 09/05/05 I was required to "team lead" - actual I was tricked into being charge nurse. I had refused two times previously, this time I was told I would team lead and later learned that I had accepted the charge nurse position.
I have expressed my concern over accepting this responsibility with my manager and two house supervisors and have been told that it means nothing more than doing the bed assignments. I do not believe them. I feel like I risked my license tonight and am just lucky that nothing monumental occurred. I am hoping you can give me some advise. Thanks!

I don't know if this is a good idea. I graduated 12/04 and I am in no way prepared to be the charge nurse. No Way!!!

dawn1rhino · Sep 06, 2005, 05:20 PM

Advise Please - new grad / charge nurse

Originally Posted by mandrews

I don't know if this is a good idea. I graduated 12/04 and I am in no way prepared to be the charge nurse. No Way!!!

Thanks for responding. It's just nice to know that someone else thinks it is a bad idea. I am at a loss of what to do.... I've contacted my local board of nursing requesting advise, hope I can wait long enough for a reply.
One of my co-workers said last night that it would be better for me to walk off / quit and start over some place else than to risk my license again.
Here's a little more info on the situation..
I work 7p - 7a on a 34 bed unit. Last night we had four nurses and two PCAs for the 11p-7a shift. I called House Supervisor twice (and never got a return phone call). Out of pure luck someone called in to see if they could pick up a shift and so we ended up with five RNs and two PCAs. Obviously they are having shortage difficulties and I am sympathetic but doesn't accepting the assignment of charge nurse mean that I am saying "OK, I'm responsible for all 34 patients and as 'supervisor' I'm accepting professional responsibility for the actions (or lack there of) of all the patient care on the unit"???
Any response / advise is much appreciated.
Dawn

mandrews · Sep 06, 2005, 08:53 PM

I definitely believe the charge nurse is responsible. At my hospital we have to talk to charge before we call the doc's. What if I told someone not to call and something bad happened. I don't have enough experience, and there is too much we have never seen before.

dawn1rhino · Sep 07, 2005, 10:35 AM

problem resolved

Originally Posted by mandrews

I definitely believe the charge nurse is responsible. At my hospital we have to talk to charge before we call the doc's. What if I told someone not to call and something bad happened. I don't have enough experience, and there is too much we have never seen before.

Just an update - I emailed my state board of nursing for clarification. So far no response, but I told someone at work last night that I was contacting the board and was promptly called into my unit manager's office first thing this morning. She was livid!! However, she said that I will not be asked to "team lead" or be "charge nurse" again. Fortunately she also praised my nursing skills and said she wished I had as much confidence in myself as she has in me. So, problem resolved. Thanks so much for the support / advise!!

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Med-Surg Roll Call

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