I'm a big chicken

lesrn2005 · Oct 18, 2005

Many people would say you don't have to start out in med-surg, I just wanted the experience and knew this area would help build confidence. What a great way to help build your confidence by knowing how to handle peg tubes, CBI's, PCA pumps, trach care, etc....I've only been doing it for 6 weeks, but I feel more confident. Plus, I think it makes you more marketable and well-rounded. As of right now, I don't plan to stay in med-surg for more than a year, but you never know.....

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 18, 2005

If you don't have an area picked out that you're interested in, then go for med-surg. It's a wide variety of patients and conditions and will get your feet wet. But if you know of an area that you liked in clinicals go for that.

But first you've got to jump into the water. :)

No one is confident going into their first job. But you had what it takes to graduate nursing school, you had what it takes to pass NCLEX, you have what it takes to be a med-surg nurse or any kind of nurse you want to be!

Good luck to you!

pricklypear · Oct 18, 2005

Hi, Helovesme! Congratulations on passing NCLEX!!

First off, it's totally OK that you are aprehensive. That's a good thing, and will keep you out of trouble. Remember, you know way more than you think you do. Clinicals are not really meant to teach you day to day nursing. They're meant to give you a small and very limited taste. You will learn more in your first year than you did in school. Well, let me rephrase that - you will learn the other half of the puzzle, and it will finally all fit together. You are not expected to show up to your first job knowing everything. Picture yourself as a sponge, and open yourself up to learning. Ask lots of questions - it's a sign of a responsible new grad.

As to where to start... Was there nothing during school that sparked your interest? If you're interested in a specialty, start there. For instance, if you loved L&D, don't start in medsurg, go straight to L&D. I know there will be folks who disagree with this, but just as many who will. If you like critical care, start in telemetry or med-surg (I would recommend tele). Go where your interest is. If you don't have an interest yet (that's OK, too) start in medsurg. I think the biggest thing is to just listen to yourself, and head in the direction of your interest. That's where you'll be happy.

Good luck, and congrats again!!! Way to go!

MackNJacks mom · Oct 18, 2005

Hi everybody,
I found out I passed Nclexrn a few days ago. Now I need to figure out where to apply for a job. Lot's of ppl say I need to start out in med surg, but I am scared to death, and I know med surg is going to be stressful.
I can be really hard on myself, so any mistake, no matter how small always makes me lose my morale. Knowing that I am dealing with ppl's lives makes it even harder for me to take the plunge.
Anyone else out there do okay in nursing school, but felt like the lease qualifed of the group while in clinicals? I sure hope there are ppl out there that can give me hope and advice on what I should do to overcome my feelings of lack of confidence, and where I should begin my career.
Thanks for your replys and support. :)

You sound so much like me. I always felt like I was the least qualified in clinicals, and that I had no clue what I was doing and why. I work in pediatrics on a neurology floor, and my first day I was scared to death. I quickly found out that I knew more than I gave myself credit for knowing. They will treat you like you know nothing anyway. You will catch on!! Do everything you do with a positive attitude, the experience will come. I would say in interviews try to get a feel for the attitude of the staff. I work with some of the nicest nurses around, who are all so supportive of everything I try to do. That makes a huge difference in your progress. Always remember how you feel and remember to help those who are new when you have it all figured out, and most importantly remember that even the nurses with the most experience have their bad days where they can't do everything right and they also still ask questions. Oh, and remember to have fun while at work, and take breaks when you have a minute. Good Luck!! Congrats on passing NCLEX, and now go get the job of your dreams!! :balloons:

KatieBell · Oct 18, 2005

Sure Med/Surg is stressful. Of course, so is Peds, Ortho/Trauma, ED, ICU, Oncology....

If you don't know where to start M/S will give you a good base. You will see a wide variety of patients (especially if you are not at a large tertiary care hospital where they group patient by disease even in M/S) and you will get to practice a wide variety of skills.

Best Wishes!!!!

:balloons: you know, its normal to be apprehensive- but you will do fine- just pay attention, apply what you learned in school- and communicate with your preceptor!:)

Helovesme! · Oct 19, 2005

Hello,

Lesrn2005 you are right about it making you well rounded, it is certainly a good foundation.

Tweety, you are right, I do have what it takes. I must believe in myself.

Priclypear, I thougt L&D was my calling, but that doesn't set with me right now. I am interested in women's health, but I think anything is intimidating at this point as Katie Bell said, nursing is just plain ole stressful.

MackNJacksmom, thank you for being honest. I needed that, sometimes I feel like I am the only one and I'll never be a sucessful nurse. I hope I find wonderful and supportive nurses like the one's you have surrounding you.

Thanks for all of the great advice, please keep them coming. :)

Bambury · Oct 19, 2005

I'll be starting in the M/S unit as well. While I think it will be stressful, I believe the reward at the end of each week I'm there will be worth the work.

I'm just going to ask a LOT of questions to be safe and effective, regardless of whether I get the everyone rolling their eyes or not at me.

I hope you have a terrific start!

KatieBell · Oct 19, 2005

Well, of course, you are going to make a fine nurse... you are not the only one at all!!! I think we all have days where we question ourselves, have an especially difficult patient...and wonder if anyone else could have had such a situation....

If you are interested in Women's Health, you might be able to start on a GYN oncology floor. It is a lot like Med Surg - with women having surgery to remove CA. My friend (who was also very nervous) started doing this for one year and now she is charge of a very busy tertiary care L and D unit....

Oncology scares a lot of people, but she really enjoyed working with the women. After some time on the floor (a few months) she went to specialized classes and learned to hang chemo. She enjoyed it because it was Med Surg, but with a twist on women's health. It might not be your cup of tea, but it might also interest you more than just a regular M/S unit..

Good Luck ;)

The other thing- as you orient, you won't have an entire clinical group to compare yourself to- so it will be just at your own pace!!

dlhommer · Oct 19, 2005

First congrads on passing NCLEX !! It is hard to give advice but I suggest that what ever unit you chose to start at just give it your all and keep your eyes wide open and your ears open to everything that is going on around you and your going to learn a ton!!! I started in Oncology and love it. I worked for 2 years on the same unit as a nursing assistant and just love the people and the patients that I worked with so I felt it would be a good choice for me and after 4months now I believe it was the right choice. I think it is natural to feel nervous for your first job so don't worry....the fact that you are even pausing to think about it says that your going to be a great nurse. So have fun and learn a lot.

Deb:rotfl:

grinnurse, RN · Oct 20, 2005

Hi everybody,
I found out I passed Nclexrn a few days ago. Now I need to figure out where to apply for a job. Lot's of ppl say I need to start out in med surg, but I am scared to death, and I know med surg is going to be stressful.
I can be really hard on myself, so any mistake, no matter how small always makes me lose my morale. Knowing that I am dealing with ppl's lives makes it even harder for me to take the plunge.
Anyone else out there do okay in nursing school, but felt like the lease qualifed of the group while in clinicals? I sure hope there are ppl out there that can give me hope and advice on what I should do to overcome my feelings of lack of confidence, and where I should begin my career.
Thanks for your replys and support. :)

Hello-

Everyone that starts out has the those feelings of insecurity to some extent, I know I certainly did. I graduated in May and have been working in Med/Surge for 4 &1/2 months now. I had been offered a job on an Onc unit and almost went with it, but then I got to thinking that if I went by way of Med/Surge that I would kill two birds with one stone by gaining confidnece and by being exposed to alot of different illnesses. I have found that I love the pace of Med/Surge. It will also allow me the skills that I need for future ventures in other areas of nursing.

In choosing where to start, follow your heart/gut and if you don't know, go Med/Surge for six months then see what catches your fancy. Good luck and Congrats on passing boards.

Grinnurse