Hate med surg, what's next?

Nurses General Nursing

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So, I am currently working med surg. I really am not crazy about it and would like to switch to something else, but I'm not even sure what would be better for me next. I also don't want to look like a job hopper, so I'm not sure what to think about doing at this point. I just feel very tired of this. I know I'm not the only one, but I feel a little bit stuck

  • I really like patient care, but I hate the high acuity and total care patients we normally get. I'd prefer something with mostly walkie talkies. The occasional total care is ok but I hate being bombarded with that all the time.
  • I do kind of like seeing patients over long term, but I don't mind a higher turn over rate. I just really like getting actual interaction with my patients.
  • I'm fine with working every other weekend/holidays.
  • I'm pregnant and would like flexibility in terms of when our baby is born so we don't have to pay for full time day care.
  • I'm in the process of finishing my BSN and should be finished within the year.

I have been considering home care/home hospice or maybe labor and delivery.

What can I do with 6 months-1 year of med surg experience? What would you suggest based on some of my preferences?

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Oncology, School Nursing, OB.

I'd look at what openings are available in your current hospital and see what positions appeal to you. A lot need at least a year of med surg experience so you may need to stick it out a while longer depending on how much experience you have. Mother-baby would have a faster turnover and mostly walkie-talkies which you desire. I enjoyed that area, just not the stressful L&D we were required to do with it. Home health and hospice (the complete opposite of the life spectrum) can be sad. Families get very emotional and protective of their hurt, sick, or dying family members and expect a lot from you. It takes a strong person to deal with both the patient and the family. Plus you're on your own so think of that. Pre and post op unit you will not have many total care patients and not for long if you do. There's ambulatory clinics and rehab units as well. Plus the ER if you like emergency medicine. Congrats on the new baby and your new degree soon!

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I just had a baby and switched from med/surg (6 years) to a small, locked, inpatient psych unit (per diem). There are no lines, drains, tubes, and all patients must be medically cleared before being accepted. The patients are all walkie-talkies and many stay for several months. There is a lot of interaction, which I enjoy since I have an affinity for the population.

At the risk of offending someone, I will say that it can get "boring", at times. I'm used to being pulled in 80 different directions and feeling like I'm standing on the edge of a cliff. At this new job, I just kind of feel like I'm "hanging out". Most of the patients on the unit actually sleep, and the ones who do not are typically quiet. Late at night, at work, I sort of wish I was tired so I could take a one hour nap like everyone else does (on their break)- but I'm wide awake all night!!

The hospital does plan to float me to med/surg on occasion since I have recent experience ...so that should keep my medical experience somewhat current.

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Specializes in ICU, trauma.

Out pt ambulatory. You still have the patient care, but they are all independent and out patient. Once they get their dose of antibiotics, or unit of blood they go home

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Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

My initial response to your post, Was home health

best wishes

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