Chose med surg like I'm supposed to, but really unhappy.

Nurses New Nurse

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Hello all,

Like the title suggests, I read a lot here while I was a student and after graduation, I took the advice of most and applied for medsurg positions exclusively. The argument that this is the area that will give a new nurse the most well rounded experience is a very valid argument that I agree with. So I applied for ten jobs, interviewed for three, got offered two, and accepted one. The job is perfectly fine. it's at a magnet hospital, I got a full comprehensive orientation with a sim lab and a quality preceptor, people are nice, the pay is decent, it's relatively near my house and they are generous and accommodating with whatever shift I want to work. However I DO NOT LIKE MEDSURG. I put on a brave face for work, and fake it until I make it though each shift but I'm extremely unhappy and disheartened that I worked this hard for a nursing degree and I'm in an area I despise.

I've wanted to work psych since before I began nursing school. The problem is, when I graduated, so did twelve other colleges and universities in my state. There were NO psych jobs posted and with the shortage of Nursing Jobs in my city, especially during graduation season, I decided waiting for the perfect job to come up would have been unwise. So I chose the safe route- guaranteed job in Medsurg . I began work two months after I graduated which I thought was pretty good.

So today I saw an internal job posting for my hospital system for a new grad psych position on nights, which is exactly what I was looking for months ago. I just got off orientation at my current job. My question is, would it be a horrible move to try applying for the psych position? I realize hospitals spend a lot of time and money for orientees but this is the same hospital company, just a different facility. I doubt I'm eligible for an actual transfer but I'm afraid if I don't jump at applying for this job that I really want, I wont see another job like it for another year.

Thoughts?

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

What's the worst that could happen if you apply for the psych position? Just do it and see what happens.

By the way, I've been a nurse 10 years. My former instructors and other seasoned nurses suggested I start in med/surg to develop a foundation of skills and knowledge. I did not take the advice because nothing about med/surg appealed to me. 10 years have elapsed and I do not regret my decision.

Good luck to you!

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Specializes in Dialysis.

If its a new grad position, with having med surg experience and no longer being a new grad, you may not qualify. Check into it and if that part checks out, go for it! You never know unless you try!

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Well I'm not sure what the worst is, except it's the same hospital system and I'm not sure if they will contact my current manager. If they do my manager is likely going to be pretty ticked off that I just got trained and now I'm looking to leave. I don't know , it seems unprofessional , but I can't quite explain how. Medsurg has a high turnover ( I totally understand why now) so maybe moving around is expected?

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Almost guaranteed if you apply your current manager would find out. I'd speak with your manager and let them know how you're feeling. If they're amazing. Maybe they'll let you go and will help you. Or you may be required to wait out the (usual) 6 months before attempting transfer.

I think applying without speaking directly to your manager first is a mistake.

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Specializes in Cath/EP lab, CCU, Cardiac stepdown.
Almost guaranteed if you apply your current manager would find out. I'd speak with your manager and let them know how you're feeling. If they're amazing. Maybe they'll let you go and will help you. Or you may be required to wait out the (usual) 6 months before attempting transfer.

I think applying without speaking directly to your manager first is a mistake.

I have to agree, if you apply behind their back they will find out. You're going to be burning bridges for sure that way. Talk to them first, because at least that has a chance for them to be ok with it. Just give them the truth and tell them that you don't think you're cut out for med surg, that it doesn't give you any passion that you want reflected in your patient care. They might get mad or they might let you go. They might even tell you to apply for an internal transfer after a certain time period. My facility has a 1 year transfer policy, but then again my whole hospital is short on nurses.

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Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.

EVERY new grad is unhappy in med-surg. the first year. It's supposed to be that way:). You're inexperienced but carry all the responsibilities of a seasoned practitioner. You have very few time management skills and you're at the bottom of a very steep learning curve. You're constantly second guessing yourself. It's all tremendously stressful. It really pisses mgt. off when a newbie wants a transfer because they've invested a lot to get you up and running. And you're going to need those med-surg skills in psych so it's good to have them ingrained in you before moving on. You need to have a good set of antennae before going into psych. This is where a lot of bad physical injuries occur and it requires at least a little patina of experience to protect yourself from a lot of angry patients. Stick it out for the year and then get your application in. You're only helping yourself that way.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Postpartum.

Like Commuter, I never worked med-surge but I did start on a critical care floor. It was a GN Residency and the unit was new grad friendly and I had a wonderful preceptor. However, I did fake it till I made it and will be forever grateful for the tools I gained in being a good nurse. As soon as I got the opportunity, I transferred out of there!

Before you apply, you need to find out the transfer policy at your hospital because once you internally apply for a different unit, your current manager will get a lovely automated email stating you have applied for a position in Psych. You are a new grad and may need to stay on your unit for 6-12 months before you are eligible to apply.

When I transferred to my current unit, I had already made my 1 year on my previous unit and I did the courteous thing by giving my manager the heads up, which she appreciated. I was in great standing with her and my transfer was very smooth. She hated to see me go, but was happy that I would be much happier on a unit I've always wanted.

Good luck, but it's not the end of the world. What you are felling is NORMAL. If you're unable to transfer yet, keep learning on your unit and try again.

Sent via iPink's phone using allnurses

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Specializes in ED, Cardiac-step down, tele, med surg.

I'd try to stick it out a year before I transferred. There's lots of psych on med surg.

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Specializes in hospital float.

Yes, I agree with the other responses. A year is a respectable amount of time to stay in any job before a transfer. My hospital limits transfers to once every 6 months. Plus you will gain invaluable experience.

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I feel your pain with MedSurg- I did most of my clinical rotations in nursing school on the MedSurg floors in my hospital. Between the patient population and the staff I encountered during my experience, I immediately knew MedSurg was not for me.

I went to work on a post-interventional cardiac floor and am so thankful I did! I have learned so much more than just cardiac-related nursing knowledge, and do not feel as though I missed out because I chose to avoid MedSurg. Just from my experience, the Psych unit, although it is a new grad position, may be interested in your application for many reasons. It would cost the unit far less to train an experienced nurse than a new grad RN. Your background in MedSurg would definitely not harm your chances in my opinion either. Many psych patients have multiple co-morbidities that you will know how to manage.

Stay positive and follow your dreams! The longer you stay in a position where you come home miserable every night, the quicker that you will become burnt out!

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I feel like I am in your position! I graduated last year and started out on a med/surg floor. I will be there for a year in October. When I first started, I did not find it interesting at all. I found it to be terribly busy and i was very unhappy just giving people pills all days and performing skills on them. I do understand why it is important to get experience in a med/surg unit though for a year. You learn a lot of nursing skills that will help you in whatever direction you decide to go. I feel like I have learned a lot at my current job but now I feel like it is definitely time to move on to something I am more passionate about which is mother-infant. So I applied and got the job. it was within the same healthcare system, My manager found out but congratulated me because they knew it was something i have always wanted to do! I will start next month and I am definitely looking forward to trying a completely different field and enjoy going into my job! I suggest you go for it and do what makes you happy. Nothing is holding you back. What is the worst that could happen? If psych is your dream then I would definitely go for it! Good Luck

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