Do I really have to do Med-Surg when I graduate?

[modelmama07]

I notice that majority of my professors really drill, that you should at least do med-surg one, to two years before going into a speciality. I know for a fact that I want to work in the NICU or the nursery, so I don't see why I should torture myself for 1-2 years in an area that I am not crazy about. Yes, you get great skills and concepts in med-surg but who is to say you won't get that in another area?? I'm towards the end of my second semester, and I'm starting a PCT position on a Telemetry floor in May as a PRN, and possibly getting a Nurse Extern position on a OR, recovery floor. I figure this will help me with prioritzing and building my confidence and skills, since as a Nurse Extern you do many of the the things the RN would do with some limitations. Yet, I'm still hesitant to do 1-2 years of med/surg. What do you guys think? Is it really THAT beneficial?

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

Is it beneficial? Sure. Required? Necessary? No. In fact, if you don't feel ready/can't find a job as a new grad in NICU, etc, I would think peds med-surg would be more helpful than adult med-surg. As a peds nurse that never worked adult, I don't feel like I"m "missing" out. You know what you want, and I think doing PRN PCT on an adult floor is good, as it will give you a chance to see some of the adult side of things. Good luck

[vegas2009]

A few years ago, a friend of mine had to go to the Emerg. room at one of our local hospitals. She had an incident with her car and she needed some stitches. Anyway, while we were waiting for the Doc or the PA (we weren't sure who was doing the stitching)... finally, the PA came in and we all ended up talking. The PA was setting up a 'sterile area' to start on her needed procedure. PA and I were talking about nursing and he mentioned that med-surg is a good field to be, especially if you're a new grad. He recommends it, because you learn a lot before you even go into a specialty. Then he says- I should just go into being a PA instead of nursing. At that time, he was working on furthering his education and said PA's are better than NP's... jobwise anyway. Personally, I don't know since I've never been in the healthcare field myself.

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

I have one teacher that says she feels all nurses are unsafe unless they do a stint in med/surg. I have another who is thrilled I am being hired straight into ICU. Depends on what you really get out of it I think, but we will see who is right.

[wife&mommyRN]

Hi!

IMO I think you are doing great by finding a position now that will build your skills throughout nursing school. I am graduating next month and I originally wanted M/S because I eventually want to work in the ED. I'm not sure how the hospital where you live works, but the nurse externs in my state pretty much work and carry the same load as a nurse. I agree that you may want to consider PEDS, because the NICU is VERY difficult to land a job in. You have options working as an extern, if I were you I would get my foot in the door and try to transfer to the NICU/ even PEDS as an extern, after graduation they will make a way for you to work there. I was hired as an extern in OB and they hired all 3 of us after graduation and one extern will be working full- time in the NICU. So it's possible for those that are proactive and strategize way ahead of everyone else. The truth is 90% of the students in your program want OB/PEDS, but only a couple will actually work there right after graduation. Good Luck :)

[whodatnurse]

Not one person from my ABSN class of 60+ that graduated last year is doing med-surg. We've got a lot of peds and OB people plus a number of ER and ICU and also some NICU, oncology, OR, and psych.

[Conqueror+, BSN, RN]

In a word NO. I got the same lecture from my mom and brother when I graduated (both nurses). I did my own thing and 16 years later I have had the most educational and ENJOYABLE career I could have hoped for. Having someone choose your job is like having them choose your husband/wife. You have to live with them sooooo......