I NEED ADVICE!--Please!

Does the LTC facility have an Alzheimer's/Dementia unit? That's what I do at mine, and we also get all the residents with psychosis/behaviors too. So you do get to work with mental health somewhat. That's the area I enjoy, but it was hard to get into around here as an LPN. I said I'd never work LTC, but didn't realize the different aspects of it and am so glad to be working where I do.

Also, you can still use your skills--caths, sometimes IV's, occasional wound care, tubefeeds, ect.

Just my 2 cents. I went into m/s just to get the experience even though I did not like it. I am now miserable and looking for a way out. Try to hold out until you get a position in something you think you will enjoy instead of accepting something you know you will hate. I learned a little late that experience can be gained in a lot of other areas other than m/s. Best of luck!

I absolutely hated the stress of MS when I was in school and decided right away to specialize. I am in postpartum and its the best fit for me at this time in my life. So no, you don' t have to go into med surg. However, if you want to do emergency or ICU nursing, lots of places want you to have MS experience first. It doesn't bother me, I don' t want that stress either. BUt think in terms of your future.

If you are going to be a camp nurse, why not look for a job in peds? If you want hospital nursing that is. You can get into an ambulatory clinic or office to get out-of-hospital experience for the types of walk in and first aid stuff that you'll see as a camp nurse. Try to find a clinic that has walk in for the best experiences of not knowing what will walk in the door.

What makes med/surg so bad?

What makes med/surg so bad?

for me it was the amount of unpredictability. There are many patients with many variables. Plus like I said, I am not interested in a super fast pace. Not that postpartum is slow by any means, but there is more of a sense of predictabliity in terms of what can go wrong.

xt1, I can't speak for others here, but for me, I like the idea of getting into a specialty because I would rather be really proficient in one area rather than a Jack of all trades in Med/Surg. I'm just more comfortable that way but everybody is different....I too hated med/surge and will be looking for a position in L&D or Peds. I excel in these areas because they interest me....I went into nursing to help others...not to become a martyr. If i went into med/surg, I'm afraid I would end up playing the part of a martyr....

When I got out of school I had a mixed job: ER, PAR, and IV! Didn't really suit me and I decided to try camp nursing. I had to get rid of my apartment and then I went off to camp for two months. I liked the job but then I faced finding another job. The worst thing that happened was a bee sting and shock and that was pretty exciting! It's a lovely way to spend a summer in an area you like. Are there many psych facilities in your area? Maybe they do some staff ed/CEU programs you could get involved in and get your foot in the door. Or call the manager of the place and ask him/her what they would advise.

ahh I understand... I'll let you know my opinion once I get to that point

I want to go straight to the ICU or at least right now I do. Only because I have to have critical care experience to get into grad school. I guess I could work somewhere other than ICU its just what the school recommended.