Advice for a Newbie: Telemetry vs. Med-Surg

MeechiesRNBSN · Jan 18, 2006

So guess I am asking what are you think are the pros and cons of telemetry nursing versus med-surg?

clee1 · Jan 19, 2006

Hi Everyone. I am new to this amazing website! I graduated in May 2005. Now ready to start my nursing career. Need some advice, please.
I have two offers at two different community hospitals. First offer is days at hospital closer to home Surgical Step Down (Telemetry) vs my second offer of a hospital 15 miles away from home working days Surgical/Ortho med-surg floor. Pay is 0.30 cents more at hospital farther away. Both have same 6-8 week new grad program. Job #1 is a 2 year commitment to the hospital. Job #2 has no hospital commitment with just 6 mos to 1 yr experience before transferring within the facility.
I just need to some enlightenment. It is so confusing and frustrating to decide what is to be the good first RN job. I want to be somewhere good where I can have a good foundation to leap from as a venture into the world of nursing. Thanks for listening to me. Hope to hear some replies. :)
~Mee

I am a current LPN student, so take this with a grain of salt.

1) You shouldn't make a committment to a position that you might wind up hating. As a new grad, there is NO WAY you can know if that spot is a good fit or not.

2) The general consensus on the board here is that telemetry is a TOUGH job for a new grad. Not saying that you can't hang, but if you have other stressors in your life, you may want to pass on telemetry.

Best of luck to you!

suzanne4, RN · Jan 19, 2006

Telemetry is not a tough job, any different than med-surg. What is the difference in the number of patients that you will actually care for per shift? Usually, tele patients are sicker, than general med-surg, but ortho patients are also heavy, in nursing terms, as they need help with ambulation, they have drains, etc. Or they would not be in the hospital to begin with.

Orientation is the same length, but will you vary preceptors, or always have the same on? Is there a nurse educator for the unit? What type of back-up will be available to you if you need extra help?

These are some things to also consider....

GermPhobe · Jan 19, 2006

I'm on my first job, and it's a Tele/Med-Surg/Step-down unit. 6-8 weeks is NOT a long enough orientation. Mine was about 14 weeks, and I still didn't feel prepared to be on my own.

That said, I think I'm learning much more than I would on a regular med-surg floor, and I think I'll be more marketable after the experience.

I'd ask to job shadow for a day or two on each job. Talk to the nurses that work there, and get a feel for how supportive they'll be. That's what's ESSENTIAL in my job. I can't imagine the nightmare I'd be living without supportive coworkers.

farishtaRN · Jan 20, 2006

I worked cardiac tele and cardiac ICU for three years; one in my final year of school, and two after I graduated. It is hard work (I won't lie to you!) but, very rewarding and a wonderful learning experience. I learned more there than in any other field that I've worked in since and I am constantly drawing from experiences etc. that I had there. I went from tele to ER (after floating to them for several months) and felt pretty well prepared. It helped that we did a lot of the same testing etc. in tele that we did in the ER. Med-surg is hard as well, but in different ways; and be prepared for heavy lifting, and complete care patients. In my opinion, tele is a great experience......... but I may be a little biased! Find out about patient load; that could make a big difference as well.