Am I Weird? I Love Med-Surg!

Published

Specializes in Ortho and Tele med/surg.

When I first started out in nursing school, my problem was spending way too much time with one patient. Our instructors only assigned us to one pt and I enjoyed that. I got used to it for a long time, but I did an externship on a med-surg floor and love having 7 pts. Although I have to admit that it can get hectic sometimes, I love having almost the same group of people 2 days in a row. By the second day, I automatically know who needs what and how to care for them right away, which makes my day easier. I don't seem to mind having more pt's, which is strange. I love meeting new pt's and the challenge of seeing a different problem each time I went to work.

A new graduate told me that he wanted to transfer to the ICU because he felt that most of his time was spent doing other things that doesn't involve pt care. I understood what he meant, but I wasn't bothered the lack of pt care. I mean I check on my patients throughout the day, but I wasn't at their bedside 24/7.

As I enter my final yr of nursing school, I feel more confident with my skills and surprisingly not overwhelmed by having 7 patients.

What do you guys think? I know many nurses don't like med-surg. What do you like about med-surg nursing?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.

What's great about med-surg? VARIETY! Constantly learning about a large body of knowledge that will serve you well in your future.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED, ICU, PSYCH, PP, CEN.

Thank God somebody likes it. I don't. I'm so glad that you found your niche. You are very lucky indeed.

This is the wonderful thing about nursing. A spot for everyone. Enjoy your job and best of luck to you in all endeavors.

For me it is the ER

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hey, WELCOME ABOARD!!! :)

I used to have the tag "med-surg and lovin' it" somewhere on my profile stuff; I just dropped it because I got bored with the line.

But I do love med-surg. I get frustrated with staffing, I get frustrated with the chaos of post-ops and admits and discharges all going on at the same time. I have absolutely no patience for the drug seekers and whiners, I'll admit to that. But I really enjoy seeing so many interesting surgical cases! And now and then, there's a really interesting medical one, too.

I like learning something new EVERY SINGLE week. Maybe not daily, I'll give you that, but there isn't a week that goes by (three shifts for me) that I haven't learned of a procedure, or new dressing technique, or something that makes me glad I'm there.

You will see me bi*ching on these boards, LOL, about what I DON'T like about my unit, but I guarantee you I could have my choice of jobs elsewhere in the hospital and I won't go. Have been offered (on the quiet, of course) to go elsewhere...and I won't go.

At least, not yet!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Ortho and Tele med/surg.

Actually, I never really liked med-surg. I thought it would be boring! The weird thing is my long term goal is to be a CRNA. That means I will have to work in the ICU.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I just returned to med surg nursing after a long absence. I don't know if its me or I just lucked out because I can honestly say it doesn't suck. Part of me is waiting for the other shoe to drop. Part of me thinks I'm just in another state of mind since I'm finally pursuing my RN. or, maybe I've just grown up. I don't know. I love peforming interventions. one of my first patients had it all, trach, picc, tube feed, wound vac,foley, and restraints. It was cool, and funny, I wan't overwhelmed, just prioritized, asked the other pts to be patient and did what I could. Why didn't I think of that years ago when I used to run around like a chicken with its head cut off? Just do what you can do. I wasn't even stressed about giving report to the next nurse about what wasn't accomplished. Glad to be back (today, anyway):nurse:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in neuro/ortho med surge 4.

I am so glad I came across this thread. I just graduated in May and I interviewed on a med surge unit. It makes me feel good hearing that some nurses actually like this unit. :up: Keep your fingers crossed I get the job.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, ER, Peds ER-CPEN.

I have loved Med/Surg since my 2nd semster of school and now work on a small med/surg unit at night, I plan to start my BSN, med/surg certification and eventually get my MSN-NP and continue to work med/surg

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

I work ortho/neuro so it's a "specialized" med-surg section....the thing is, I like not being at bedside 12/7....I can get charting done, pass meds, spend some time with patients and talk to them, see how pain and movement are doing, try to encourage them to get up and down, etc. Then, usually, I "might" have time to round with docs who don't need a nurse with em...(cause you have to round with the old-school docs).

You can have time to do most of what's going on in a shift. So, I do like it. Sometimes it can get trying...more due to unmotivated patients then actual work. so you're not weird.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

in the UK medical and surgical are not lumped together

and medical is considered harder and heavier nursing

I've got a job on a medical ward and every surgical nurse has a look on there face when i said were i interviewed for but they were happy when i got a job offer

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am in the US and my hospital divides medical and surgical into their own floors. I started working on the medical floor as an aide, then moved up to Unit Secretary, then LPN, and finally RN, working on BSN. I transferred out twice--once to mother/baby/pediatrics/labor and delivery/nursery ward (you cross train to everything, its a fairly small hospital) and once to an OB office. While I loved those jobs, each time I just felt the pull back to the medical floor.

I'm not leaving anytime soon. I've found that the medical floor is the only place I don't get bored, where I'm constantly challenged, where I'm learning something new every day. I'm saying ME PERSONALLY, before anyone gets their panties in a bunch. I know other floors and types of nursing are challenging and interesting--but not for me. I have a lot of respect for other kinds of nursing--but the medical floor well suits my personality, my need for both adrenaline and routine, my need to be constantly challenged in what I know and what I can quickly learn. I like being able to manage 6-8 pts (with the help of a good aide, of course). It helps I absolutely love my coworkers. We are a great bunch, I love those gals (no fellas right now, unfortunately).

I don't think you're crazy to like med surg. I love it. I'm thinking I'll be here until I can't work 12 hour floor shifts anymore (which I'm hoping will be a couple more decades at least).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg < 1yr.

I have 4 months before I graduate from school. I have one med/surg unit asking me to come there after I did a clinical rotation on the unit and the CCU where I'm doing a clinical now is asking me to come there. Funny because I want to do L&D but no matter where I go, I want to start with med/Surg and it's just been a toss up because some are telling me to go straight into specializing even though med/surg is its own specialization and others are telling me to get my foundation in med/surg. I think med/surg is where I'll start it's just that you hear more negative than positive about it which makes it hard to decide where to go. So to hear about various nurses enjoying med/surg makes me feel better. For those who like med/surg can I ask what organization skills you use to make your day go better?

Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion