Decisions, decisions, decisions......please help!

[LUVtxNursing]

Hello all,

I'm new to this forum, and glad to be here. I am currently an LPN/LVN student in Texas, will be graduating in August. I was wondering if anyone had any advice on the best area of a hospital to work in for a new graduate with no previous health care experience other than clinicals? I want to get as much experience as I can to give me an edge for the RN program, but I don't want to be overwhelmed either. I am a little freaked out by Med/Surg and Telemetry because of the nurse to patient ratio (6:1 is the avg) and it seems like it would be too much to handle just starting out. I love ER and OB, but they rarely hire LVN's. Maybe med/surg is not as bad once you are out of school, I have heard that is the best place to start out because of the learning potential. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[meownsmile, BSN, RN]

Ratios mean everything and nothing. It depends on the patients. There are a lot of nurses here on this site and in every hospital around the country that would love a 6:1 ratio( a day in heaven for most of us). Dont expect you will find someplace to start slow and work your way up. That comes during orientation. Once off orientation you will have the same number of patients as everyone else.

Look at it this way. You have the skill and knowledge to get you though it, it got you through school, or it will and take that knowledge and be confident in what you know. What you dont know you will learn, and dont ever be afraid to admit you dont know or be afraid to find out.

[LUVtxNursing]

Ratios mean everything and nothing. It depends on the patients. There are a lot of nurses here on this site and in every hospital around the country that would love a 6:1 ratio( a day in heaven for most of us). Dont expect you will find someplace to start slow and work your way up. That comes during orientation. Once off orientation you will have the same number of patients as everyone else.

Look at it this way. You have the skill and knowledge to get you though it, it got you through school, or it will and take that knowledge and be confident in what you know. What you dont know you will learn, and dont ever be afraid to admit you dont know or be afraid to find out.

Thanks so much for your advice, I have been reading alot of other posts on here and it has really helped me to feel more confident about what to expect when I graduate and start working the floor. I'm sure it will be fine, it just seems overwhelming right now. I guess with good organization and time management skills I should do fine with the patient load on Med/surg or telemetry. Thanks again for the advice.