undecided- need opinions

[sistasoul]

Hello all,

I will be graduating in May 2008 with my RN. I currently work on a telemetry floor as an LNA. I was thinking of going to med surge when I graduate. Are the patients less acute on med-surge than on a telemetry floor or is their an equal chance of patients going bad on either floor? As a new nurse I don't think I will feel comfortable with patients who may be having a MI. I would like to start out with less acute patients and get a good foundation.

I really like the nurses I work with and my charge nurse and would like to stay on this unit. The "older nurses" on the floor have told me to definitely get some med surge experience before coming to the telemetry floor because the new grads just hinder them. I know my unit hires new grads because we have 4 new nurses right now. Even my charge nurse told me that it is hard for someone to go from an LNA to a nurse on the same floor and that the director doesn't really like to hire new grads onto the floor. What do you gals and guys think??

Any suggestions or thoughts would be appreciated.

[jjjoy, LPN]

Unless there's a specific unit that you REALLY want to work on, med-surg is generally where new grads are expected to start and it's usually easiest to get a position there as a new grad. I wouldn't say it's easier or less busy than other units. In fact, they can be crazier because of the wide variety of conditions and acuities you come across. On average, med-surg patients would be less acute than tele patients, but in most facilities, there will be a mix and that includes some very acute patients who may turn bad at any time.

You have time to consider your options so use this time to explore. Can you ask to float as an LNA to spend some time on other units? In your school rotations, notice how you feel on the different units. Sometimes it's a gut level thing.

If it turns out that the unit you work on isn't THAT important to you, then you as you apply for jobs you'll have more options instead of holding out for a particular unit. Then you can focus on picking a unit and facility that seems supportive, regardless of whether or not the unit is orthopedic, oncology, etc. If by the time you graduate you do have a favorite area, then you can more confidently pursue a job in that specific area. So you have great options either way!