Confused on which nursing unit to go

Gompers, BSN, RN · Aug 26, 2005

Also I am afraid that I won't be able to take care of all my patients ( esp. if I have 7 pts.). I am afraid of "negligence" and losing my license. I don't feel competent to be in med-surg and especially with the number of patients that I will be handling. If I take care of my patients I want to be able to focus on them and help them. I am more of a hands-on person.

I'd suggest finding a hospital that has a good new grad orientation program, and working in an ICU. You will only have 1-3 patients, depending on how sick they are, and can focus much more on each one. You will also be doing a lot more hands-on work with your patients than you would if you were in med-surg, because there are many things that you will need to do in the ICU that a nursing assistant or patient care tech can't do for you.

As far as not liking hospital hours...well, this is part of nursing. You'll actually get to see your kids a lot more if you, say, work 3 12-hour shifts a week in the hospital than if you took a job in a doctor's office or outpatient surgery center, working 9-5 Monday through Friday. With the hospital schedule, you'll have four full days a week off work to be with the kids.

BETSRN · Aug 27, 2005

Hello everyone. I just got my license last week and now I am ready to apply. However, I am confused on which nursing unit to apply in. I am particularly interested to be in OR because I find it interesting to see what's inside our body (anatomy)(if I was a doctor I love to be a surgeon), but most hospitals would like you to have a floor experience before you can go in the OR, ..... Also, as a new graduate, I want to be in an area that I can learn more about nursing and diseases which I don't think I will get if I go to OR right away. On this thought, a lot of nurses suggest that med-surg would be the best place to learn. But, there are things that I don't like working in this floor (though I enjoyed working in this area and the ICU during my clinical rotation) like the hours since I have 2 toddlers at home. Also I am afraid that I won't be able to take care of all my patients ( esp. if I have 7 pts.). I am afraid of "negligence" and losing my license. I don't feel competent to be in med-surg and especially with the number of patients that I will be handling. If I take care of my patients I want to be able to focus on them and help them. I am more of a hands-on person. I hope someone can give me some advice and thought on what a new nurse like me can do with this dilemma.. ......thanks.

Go to an area that interests you. You mention OR. OR's usually have lengthy orientation programs: a great idea! if you are happy, your family will be as well. You can loose your license as well in the OR. That's a fact in nursing. The OR isn;t easier: maybe just more controlled, that's all. Pick an area you like and go for it.

Blackberry2 · Aug 27, 2005

thank you for the input guys, I appreciate it...

LaVonneRN · Aug 30, 2005

i'd suggest finding a hospital that has a good new grad orientation program, and working in an icu. you will only have 1-3 patients, depending on how sick they are, and can focus much more on each one. you will also be doing a lot more hands-on work with your patients than you would if you were in med-surg, because there are many things that you will need to do in the icu that a nursing assistant or patient care tech can't do for you.
as far as not liking hospital hours...well, this is part of nursing. you'll actually get to see your kids a lot more if you, say, work 3 12-hour shifts a week in the hospital than if you took a job in a doctor's office or outpatient surgery center, working 9-5 monday through friday. with the hospital schedule, you'll have four full days a week off work to be with the kids.

hi gompers:

i was just about to post a thread re: new grads starting in the icu. i was wondering if 2 months is enough training for such a unit? i was offered a position on the micu at a level one trauma center. did you start out on icu? if so can you tell me how your first days on the unit? also what are some common issues that new grads run into.

thanks,

lavonne

Gompers, BSN, RN · Aug 30, 2005

hi gompers:
i was just about to post a thread re: new grads starting in the icu. i was wondering if 2 months is enough training for such a unit? i was offered a position on the micu at a level one trauma center. did you start out on icu? if so can you tell me how your first days on the unit? also what are some common issues that new grads run into.
thanks,
lavonne

well, i started working in the neonatal icu as a new grad and we have a 3 month orientation, sometimes 4 months even. however, since nursing school really doesn't touch on nicu at all, everything has to be learned from scratch, spending a couple of weeks in a classroom setting learning about the different problems of preemies and sick newborns.

for an adult icu, i think two months isn't too bad, since at least you've learned about the population already. you will probably also have to take a class dealing with advanced life support that will help you in emergency situations on the unit.

if got a good vibe from the place, i'd say take the job. just make sure they don't short you on those two months, and if after it's over you still feel unsure, talk to your manager about having a few more weeks orientation.

good luck!

LaVonneRN · Aug 31, 2005

well, i started working in the neonatal icu as a new grad and we have a 3 month orientation, sometimes 4 months even. however, since nursing school really doesn't touch on nicu at all, everything has to be learned from scratch, spending a couple of weeks in a classroom setting learning about the different problems of preemies and sick newborns.
for an adult icu, i think two months isn't too bad, since at least you've learned about the population already. you will probably also have to take a class dealing with advanced life support that will help you in emergency situations on the unit.
if got a good vibe from the place, i'd say take the job. just make sure they don't short you on those two months, and if after it's over you still feel unsure, talk to your manager about having a few more weeks orientation.
good luck!

gompers,

thanks so much for the info and well wishes. :)

lavonne