CAN ANYONE SPARE AN ENCOURAGING WORD?

tweetieRN · Jun 10, 2000

MICH - don't know how to advise you. Med-surg is the foundation of nursing. You may be happier in an ICU or ER setting, but I feel that some general bedside nursing experience is essential to help build skills, confidence, organizational skills.

Don't know your age or circumstances, but when you've graduated, if you find you just can't stand it, at least you'll have the means to support yourself while you train yourself in some other field.

There are more opportunities today for nurses outside of the hospital setting - maybe home health would appeal to you? Investigate all the possibilities before you decide one way or the other.

ltm · Jun 10, 2000

hey michelle. be encouraged about medsurg. i have to agree with the other reply that medsurg is the basis of all nursing. i did not exactly love my medsurg class and i don't desire to work in medsurg for the rest of my life that's why i choose OB. still you have to have at least a year of medsurg experience before you go into some specialties. as a new grad i was ready to jump into OB, but i am glad that i got my medsurg experience. some nurses go right into what they like and if you know what that is, i'd say go for it. the year of medsurg really gets you comfortable with bedside nursing. also when i took the nclex, there was a good bit of medsurg on it. good luck and i am sure that you will make the right decision.

NurseMom · Jun 11, 2000

Hey Mich!

Please try and stick it out during your Med-Surg rotation. You'll need that experience for jobs after you graduate. Here where I live, on Cape Cod, any hospital jobs or VNA require at least 2 years of med-surg experience, which makes it necessary to work in long-term and rehab facilities to acquire it. Sometimes it can be overwhelming but you WILL find yourself making a difference in a patient's life more often than not. You'll also find that once you're out of school and working that the stress is different. It's still there, but it's different.

Good luck to you, and keep saying to yourself that it WILL get better!

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Laurie :)

so many patients...

so little time.....

YADA-YADA · Jun 11, 2000

You never stated specifically what you despised about Med/surg? It makes a big difference in how we can advise you.

Also how far along in your studies are you?

If it is the care you hate then you should reconsider your choice. At our school Med surg was the first rotation so one could change majors to Health science or the equivalent and not waste the classes you have already taken.

If it is the stress level that will go away with time. One could finish school and either do med to get used to the grind and see if you adapt or straight out of school go for a less stressful type of nursing. Such as office, school, public health (?) nursing etc.

Is it the politics. that you will either adapt to or get sick of it and leave. Of course an obvious solution to that problem would be to work the off shifts when you get out. No politics. (well less anyway)

Just a few thoughts.

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10% of life is the action, and 90% is my reaction. Hence all things are relative to my mood at the moment of impact.

Mijourney · Jun 11, 2000

Hi Michelle,

I agree with the previous posts. It's not at all unusual for a nursing student to experience doubts about a chosen path especially when confronted with an extremely challenging course. Have you discussed your feelings with a supportive nursing instructor? Perhaps you can make a pro and con list to help you decide on how you should proceed. I want you to realize, in your considerations Michelle, that demand for nursing services tend to remain constant despite changes in the economy. This age of managed care and profits has not prevented people from getting sick, aging, dying, or trying to get or stay well. The demand for nursing services will grow as the population ages. In addition, nursing is a practical profession with nurses from all backgrounds having the ability to perform in a variety of roles inside and outside of the profession. You'll find that even if you got out of nursing now, you'll still be able to use of your learning in some way. This is true particularly if you're interested in staying in health care. I encourage you to seriously think about what impact you can and want to make as a nurse and go from there. Best wishes.

Nancy1 · Jun 12, 2000

Michelle,

Please give nursing a chance. I personally was challenged by Peds. I thank God that there are other areas. I just love LTC and administration. Hang in there. NA

BJA · Jun 12, 2000

Nursing is a little bit like a marriage. There is usually some doubt before you take the big step. I started in a BSN program, finished my first year (all pre-reqs), started my second year (first year of Nursing), went for about a month and realized I wasn't all that sure of myself. I decided that I had better be sure before spending more time and $. So I quit school and went to work as a CNA. First in an acute in-patient pscyh unit and then in a nursing home. I realized that I needed to get back in nursing school. Several years later now, I'm glad I did it that way. I love my profession. Good Luck to you!

Brad

JillR · Jun 12, 2000

Michelle,

Give med/surg a chance. I remeber feeling very overwhelmed during my surgical rotation, but i stuck it out and now work on a med/surg floor. Remember Med/Surg is not the only way to go after nursing school and there are other options out there. No one says you HAVE to work med/surg when you get out of school. Good Luck.

Loz · Jun 12, 2000

Mich,

Reading your post reminded me of the "bad days" as a student. Keep going-even if you know you don't like this specialty. Learn as much as you can and face up to turning up every day (sometimes this is difficult when you feel low). I'm sure you can do it and when you qualify then the real learning begins!!!

goldilocksrn · Jun 15, 2000

I hope you stick it out. I often wondered if I could do all the things that were expected of me, but you'd be surprised what you can do. There are days when all of us wonder if we made the right choice. (those are fleeting temporary thoughts)

LaurieCRNP2002, MSN, RN, APRN · Jun 18, 2000

Hi Michelle!

Although it may seem dull or uninteresting, med-surg is the foundation for all other types of nursing. The good news for you is that once you finish, there are many other areas to go into, and with the shortage present, specialty areas like ICU, ER and OB are more willing to take new grads. So try to hang in there! There are so many opportunities for you to use your nursing knowledge and skills--be willing to spend the time to find the area that's right for you. Good luck!

Laurie, RN