Anyone heard of a a study that new grads had better retention in specialties?

Annointed_RNStudent · Apr 21, 2007

I have heard this, I don't remember where, but I do believe, it because of all the new grads that go to med-surg, a bunch of them leave, or the ones I have known that graduated did anyway!

CHATSDALE · Apr 21, 2007

i have not read any studies but perhaps it is because they don't have to unlearn anything..they can concentrate on the new knowledge

HOWEVER...don't rely too much in 'studies' too often the results are predetermined by the researches

look back 20 years and you will find studies that would tell you the exact from what they are determining now

hotdog19d · Apr 21, 2007

I'd just like to be able to find it so that I can show a member of the faculty at my school that is pressuring me to spend a year in med-surg. I really don't want to and anything that would help me justify my career choice would surely help! I know that one single study isn't the be all, end all answer, but it can't hurt either.

roxyroo · Apr 22, 2007

I had not heard that, but it makes sense. The knowledge base for a specialty area would be more focused and indepth, instead of trying to learn a little bit of everything. The meds , treatments etc in each area would be more repetetive, making them easier to remember, and probably better understood. I think sending a new grad to med-surg would just be overwhelming and confusing, and when you do move into a specialty area, you would have to start all over

llg, PhD, RN · Apr 22, 2007

I'd just like to be able to find it so that I can show a member of the faculty at my school that is pressuring me to spend a year in med-surg. I really don't want to and anything that would help me justify my career choice would surely help! I know that one single study isn't the be all, end all answer, but it can't hurt either.

What specialty are you considering? Perhaps the literature of that specialty would provide you with some justification for your choice. While you probably won't find the comparisons in the retention rates that you seek, you might find articles that discuss orientation programs within that specialty and the retention rates and/or general success of new grads in that area.

As someone who has worked with orientation programs in a children's hospital (and kept the statistics), I can tell you that our retention statistics are better with the new grads than they are with nurses who work in adult med/surg prior to switching into peds. Informally, I have talked with at least one other major children's hospital that has seen the same thing in their stats.

That data has not been published.

My speculation about those findings is that people who get comfortable in adult med/surg have trouble switching to peds because they have to go through a stage during which they feel uncomfortable and "incompetent." Their sense of security may suffer dramatically as their old "rules of thumb" no longer apply. It feels as if the rug has been pulled out from under them. Some people hate that feeling and run back to their old jobs in order to maintain their sense of competence and comfort. It's a shame as many of those nurses would have made great peds nursing if only they hadn't spent a couple of years on adult med/surg first.

Of course, some people have no trouble switching from one specialty to another.

Another thing to consider is the type of orientation and post-orientation support you will receive. As a general rule, the orientation programs for general adult med/surg units are the shortest because it is assumed that school prepared you well to work on such units. Specialty units tend to provide more as they realize that nursing schools spend minimal time on each specialty. The added orientation and post-orientation support that may be provided by a specialy unit may help the new grad transition to the RN role.

Another thing to consider is: What is the background of the people giving you advice (either way)? For example, some people who were successful at switching specialties may wrongly assume that everyone can do it easily. Some people who know you as a student and also know the orientation programs available from your potential employers might have valuable perspectives on what would be best for you. etc.

hotdog19d · Apr 22, 2007

I'd really like to go in to Surgery right away. My instructor strongly recommends that I work med-surg for a year before I "specialize". But really I don't think that I am specializing. I haven't decided what area of surgery I want to work yet, just surgery. Her biggest argument is that if I don't like surgery then when I start somewhere else they'll expect me "know things" being an older nurse. But I don't see how that doesn't work both ways. Either way your still getting into something new, why should I spend a year doing something I don't like? Doesn't make a lot of sense to me I guess.

mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP · Apr 22, 2007

If you know what you want to be when you grow up - then just do it. You can spend a year being miserable and hating your job or you can spend that 1st year learning and loving your job.

Just make sure wherever you go - you get a good solid orientation with room to expand if necessary. Make sure you get a mix of hands on with classroom and that you are matched with a preceptor that is willing to teach, guide and help you through the process.

Being a nurse that 1st year is scary - it's even more scary when you are faced with going to a job you loath everyday. Make the choice that is right for YOU and don't worry about what others think. You are your own best judge of how you will do when you graduate and start into nursing, regardless of the field.

Good luck to you!!!!

Montessori Mommy · Apr 22, 2007

I attended a panel discussion a few months ago on new grads, and someone there referenced that article! I wish I had it also. Must nursing instructors I've had seem to know about this, too. Of the four hospitals where I interviewed, only one wanted me to get med/surg experience. I'm going directly into L & D after graduation. Honestly, if I didn't get a job there, post-partum, pediatrics or NICU, I would have returned to my first career (engineering). I honestly have not enjoyed a moment of my med/surg clincals. Yes - I've cared for some wonderful patients, but med/surg is not my thing.....

AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Apr 22, 2007

I think you should follow your hear no matter what others tell you because YOU will never know until you try. My instructors are very open about us specializing and actually there are very few of my class mates that are going into med-surg.

Sweetooth

hotdog19d · Apr 23, 2007

I think that a lot of what she's saying maybe because of her age. I know my instructor is well intentioned, but it's been my understanding that the old way of doing things was just that way. You were expected to "put in your time" on med-surg before going into a specialty. I just don't think that holds true anymore. But, I really don't have anything to support that. I sure wish I could find that article!! There's a Mod on here thats well versed in this sort of thing, I'm going to see if I can't find her and ask her. Maybe she'll know.

Indy, LPN, LVN · Apr 23, 2007

Med surg is more of a specialty than people realize. I think each and every nursing job should be looked upon as a specialty; so each time you change types of nursing jobs, you are switching specialties.

Now, there seem to be two ends of the spectrum, as far as what people think about "what new grads should do" in their first year. One end says med surg or floor work first, period. The other end says go for your specialty.

When considering your job, see if you can ask around to the people who work in the specialty unit(s) you are considering. Find out what end of the spectrum the hiring manager of that unit is leaning towards. That'll give you some clues; if he/she only likes to hire new grads and you want to be there, well then go there and interview! Don't wait or you'll have the disadvantage of then being someone "from the floor" that he/she isn't inclined to hire due to personal bias.

And yes, that's the situation I ran into. I had to switch hospitals to find a director who thought that floor experience was a wonderful background, and who wants to teach me to be an ICU nurse. But hey, there's a place for everyone.