New RN - help on how to get out of med surg!!

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Dec 17, 2013

As hellish as working there is, try to stick out the full year: it looks a lot better on your resume and gets you out of the new grad black hole. Also, most opportunities require at least one year of experience.

Emergent, RN · Dec 17, 2013

I would start by being careful not to verbalize what you've said here at work. You don't want to be perceived negatively by others. You don't want to be running away from something, but running to something.

Reach out to surgical nurses and ask them for advise. Surgical training is highly involved, internships last a year I've heard. You are under the microscope and there is often a lot of politics.

east-westRN · Dec 17, 2013

I would never verbalize what I've said here at work. I am a very professional person, more so than my more experienced RN colleagues if I don't say so myself. I worked in corporate america prior to nursing and know about politics very well.... I agree I am trying to "run to" something that isn't so horrid as med surg..

sammiesmom · Dec 17, 2013

I agree on being quiet about it and 9 months should not be short. What really matters is how you "market" yourself.

east-westRN · Dec 19, 2013

Any specific ways you can think of how to market myself for other areas like OR? I have seen everything on my current unit.

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Dec 22, 2013

First off, never get into a place within yourself that you have "seen everything". It is near impossible to see everything 9 months in. To make your job at least workable for you, make sure you "do" everything you can to heighten your own skill set. Med surg is one of the best places to master clinical skills. Given the right set of circumstances, you could become really proficient in the skill sets you would need in order to be an OR nurse.

Meanwhile, I would make an appointment to see the OR nurse manager. Discuss goals. Discuss specific skill sets and certifications that you would need to be able to work in the OR. Look up and know what is needed to be an OR certified nurse. Discuss specifics on how to get there.

Do not, under any circumstances, discuss how much your current floor stinks with the OR manager. This could only reflect poorly on you.

Today, see what med surg can do for you. Think about skills, think about assessments, think about the "whole picture" of your patients and what their various interventions mean. Volunteer to do all the IV sticks you can, all the foleys you can, all the NG tubes you can.

The first year of nursing is hard. No doubt about it. But to attempt to look at the big picture as opposed to the "needy patients, and I already GOT this" is of no benefit except to bring you down. Your goal regardless should and could be that you are forging ahead and taking advantage of what will get you to your long term goal.

OCNRN63, RN · Dec 22, 2013

Join AORN. It will give you the opportunity to learn more about the specialty you "think" is perfect for you.