Cross Post: Switching from Peds to Med-Surg

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

Hey, I posted this in the med-surg forum, but haven't got any responses, so I thought I'd try to see if I would get some here. I am a nurse with two years of pediatric and adolescent inpatient experience. As an R.N., I have never taken care of adult patients (minus my adolescents). This week, I accepted a job working full-time in a local area hospitals float pool. I will be primarily floating to adult med-surg floors, but will also be responsible for floating to peds when they have a need. I know adult nursing is different than peds, but I'm eager to learn, and I think float pool will be a great place to learn. The facilty is boasting a 1:4 ratio during the day and a 1:6 at night, so I don't think I'll be too overwhelmed. They also seem to understand that in peds we really don't do telemetry, so I won't be responsible for cardiac monitor interptation.

Anyone have any advice on making the trasition as smooth as possible? Thanks!

[BackfromRetirement]

WoooGirl....you have got your work cut out for you. At least half of your med-surg pts will be geriatrics. Better read the LTC/LPN threads to brush up. Ratio's are only averages....the median. You will have cardiac monitors. God help you and bless you.

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

WoooGirl....you have got your work cut out for you. At least half of your med-surg pts will be geriatrics. Better read the LTC/LPN threads to brush up. Ratio's are only averages....the median. You will have cardiac monitors. God help you and bless you.

Yes, I will have monitors, but they said I won't be responsible for them. Apparently another nurse will be assigned to listen out for my alarms and read my EKG strips (I'm also assuming that eventually they'll send me to EKG class).

I'm working in a union hospital, so hopefully the ratios will be the norm. The one thing I just remember from nursing school/my cna days about med-surg is nursing having 10-12pts. I will not jepordize someone's life, or my lisence.