I cannot stand Med/Surg!!!! 3 months in my job and ready for a change STAT!!!

Nurses New Nurse

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Specializes in Postpartum, Mother-baby.

Ever since I have graduate from school I never thought I would work on a med/surg floor. I always wanted to do women's services especially postpartum:redpinkhe. I even done my senior preceptorship in maternal health and I loved it!! I could not find anything due to the hiring freeze, it was hard to do find a job period. I did not want to take the job but I took it because I did not want to be an unemployed new nurse. Sometimes, I wish I waited longer to get the job I wanted! The staff I work with are wonderful, they help me when I am really struggling. I have an excellent nurse manager and nurse director who supports me. But I get so overwhelmed with the patient load, too many medications to give, the doctors coming in every hour to change the orders sometimes those orders can take up 2 pages and their STAT orders!!! Arghhh:mad: Every day, I nearly cry and I vent to my family how much I can't stand it. I feel bad because my heart is not in this type of nursing which makes learning and trying to do my best makes it much harder. I know there are new grads out there who are looking for job, I am consider lucky getting a hospital job but I can't stand it. I don't think I will be there for a year, honestly....I don't see six months being in this field. I dread going to work. :uhoh3: I am just venting!!!!

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Speaking as a postpartum nurse, I can't begin to explain to you how incredibly IMPORTANT it is that you stay in Med/Surg for at least a year. Yes, I know, it's hard. Yes, I know it's not the population you want to serve. But think of how many skills you're learning, how strong you're becoming because of the hardship you're facing now. Maternity is not always flowers and butterflies. Patients hemorrhage, have HELLP syndrome, suffer severe hypertension/tachycardia, even P.E.'s and M.I.'s! The skills and knowledge you are gaining now are invaluble. Med/Surg is the backbone of nursing, learn all you can, do your time, then you will make one amazing Mother/Baby nurse! :nurse:

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I can tell you one thing, you will find it easier to get a job in postpartum after a year in med surg than after three months on the job. Remember that this is a stepping stone to what you want. Don't jump off the path.

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Don't give up. IMHO the three month mark seems to be the time when job hate starts/intensifies. However, it WILL get better, you will become more proficient. Don't lose sight of your dream, but for now stick it out, you can do this! It's just another path to Mother/Baby you can make it!

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Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.

Every new grad feels like you do at three months. I felt that way. Your pace will get better the more you work. I have been on my job 18 months and feel like I have been there for years. I work on a busy neuro floor. Stick it out until you find your dream job. It will get better.

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misha do you think u will stay?

you sound like what i fear most about nursing... what city are you?

private mesg me girl... wondering what you'll decide

i think all the other ladies are right... but dayuuuum don't you hate putting your all into getting there and them hating the turnout? lol

i'm praying on it.... just praying

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Specializes in Cardiac.

I'm with ya. Trust me it does get better, by about 6-8 months you'll be feeling much more confident and it will get better. I understand about your heart not being in it, but this experience will help you get that postpartum job!

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why can't i reply or send a private mesg...

or help can't start a new thread either????

ANYONE KNOW WHERE I CAN FIND A PERFECT "SOAP NOTE" TO USE THAT HAS ALL THE NORMALS

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.
why can't i reply or send a private mesg...

or help can't start a new thread either????

ANYONE KNOW WHERE I CAN FIND A PERFECT "SOAP NOTE" TO USE THAT HAS ALL THE NORMALS

You don't have enough posts to have private messaging privileges. All members must have posted a minimum of 15 legitimate posts that contribute to the discussion before they're permitted PMs.

There's no reason I can think of that you wouldn't be able to start a new thread. You have to be on the forum's home page (ie the first underlined terms in the yellow banner above: "General Nursing" or the subforum's "First Year After Nursing Licensure") to do that, though.

There is no such thing as a "perfect" SOAP note. They're individualized to the patient. Your lab reports should have the normals listed next to the results for your patient. Over time you'll learn the common ones and will recognize abnormals immediately.

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You will be a MUCH better OB nurse once you have that year of Med/Surg under your belt. Your time management skills will be honed, and you will have learned how to tune in to subtle changes in your patients' condition. Hang in there! All of us new grads go home wondering how we will ever get proficient and competent. :hug:

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Specializes in Postpartum, Mother-baby.

Thanks for your replies! I understand med-surg is very helpful and I am gaining experience but I DREAD going to work...I dread it. :down: I dont understand why waking up so early in the morning and working somewhere you cannot stand for a year or more...just why. I guess that's me.

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I am right there with you. I lasted 3 months and quit. I am older and decided I am not going to work in an environment where I hate it! I have a job I love now, days, M-F. I am home at night, week ends and Holidays. It was the right decision for me, so make the decision based on what you need to do. If you want to stay in bedside nursing you need to stick it out, if not there are other options out there.

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