I'm working med/surg,but don't know if I like it

Rhonda V · Sep 7, 2005

I started working in med/surg last week,but don't know if I like it.Every time I walk into the hospital,I get a sick feeling in my stomach....I was all excited before I took the job,and now I just don't know anymore.I get nervous when I'm there.I know it has to do with nerves,but sometimes I think maybe I should get out of nursing all together,although I have been a CNA for 26 yrs.....but that's just it.....things have changed so much over the years,and I haven't worked in a hospital before,only a convalescent and a retirement home.Someone please give me some advice here,what should I do?

Hi! I know exactly how you feel. I used to get myself so psyched up the night before clinicals in Med-Surg that I'd almost make myself sick. I too remember being soooo nervous walking into the hospital and getting on the elevator. Honestly, you are not alone, and it is certainly normal to feel nervous especially when you are a new nurse working Med-Surg. I know it is not the most desirable place to work as a new nurse, but that is where you will really gain experience and learn a lot. After you've done Med-Surg for a while, you'll have more confidence and knowlege to move on to other areas of nursing. It will also give you the opportunity to practice and perfect your nursing skills. You'll find that many nursing jobs will find it desirable to have a Med-Surg background, since it is the core of nursing...and you'll be glad you did this. As for being nervous, just know that it is normal. Get plenty of rest the night before and eat a good breakfast with protein to help your brain power and give you the needed energy to get through your morning. Practice deep breathing techniques and positive self-talk. I used to find that once I was actually on the Med-Surg floor doing patient care and interacting with my co-workers, that I'd suddenly feel more relaxed. Think of something that makes you happy inside or think about something that you are looking forward to like a special trip or event. Go in each day and do the best that you can. Try not to get overwhelmed and to take one thing at a time and do what's most important first. Don't be afraid to ask questions or get help. Remember that each day is a learning process. If you are a religous person, say a little prayer before work each day. All these little things have helped me...you can learn to use nervousness and turn it into something positive too. I don't know anyone who could have been as nervous as I was starting out...in nursing school I could never see myself as ever working in Med-Surg...I was always running behind and perspiring a lot. I eventually became an RN and worked night-shift on a Med-Surg floor a few years back, and I actually enjoyed it for a while, but then moved on to other things. I hope this helps...Good Luck to You! Rhonda, RN

allnurses Guide · Sep 7, 2005

I've been a nurse for over two years now, and I still get a few butterflies in my stomach before every shift, especially when I'm coming back to work after being off a few days and I know that I'm going to have all new patients.

You know what works for me, a lot of times? As SOON as I get report, I go and SEE my patients. I don't assess them at this time, I just lay EYES on them, ask them how they are doing and if there is anything wrong at this time or if they are in any pain... I do a QUICK visual assessment at this time, and that's it. Somehow, just laying eyes on my patients relaxes me a bit, but I'm a very visually oriented person anyway. Anyway, doing this relaxes me enough to get all the other things done that I need to do, including the more detailed assessments (don't wait TOO long into your shift to do your detailed assessment, though!).

See, sometimes while receiving report I get very nervous because my patients may sound really BAD. But somehow, just going in and LOOKING at them, and just making sure that they are OK right now... that makes me feel better. :) Oh, and if you do the quick visual assessment, it's a good idea to make a nurse's note "Pt resting in bed, watching TV, smiling and talking. No complaints at this time."

Nancy428 · Sep 8, 2005

Hi! I know exactly how you feel. I used to get myself so psyched up the night before clinicals in Med-Surg that I'd almost make myself sick. I too remember being soooo nervous walking into the hospital and getting on the elevator. Honestly, you are not alone, and it is certainly normal to feel nervous especially when you are a new nurse working Med-Surg. I know it is not the most desirable place to work as a new nurse, but that is where you will really gain experience and learn a lot. After you've done Med-Surg for a while, you'll have more confidence and knowlege to move on to other areas of nursing. It will also give you the opportunity to practice and perfect your nursing skills. You'll find that many nursing jobs will find it desirable to have a Med-Surg background, since it is the core of nursing...and you'll be glad you did this. As for being nervous, just know that it is normal. Get plenty of rest the night before and eat a good breakfast with protein to help your brain power and give you the needed energy to get through your morning. Practice deep breathing techniques and positive self-talk. I used to find that once I was actually on the Med-Surg floor doing patient care and interacting with my co-workers, that I'd suddenly feel more relaxed. Think of something that makes you happy inside or think about something that you are looking forward to like a special trip or event. Go in each day and do the best that you can. Try not to get overwhelmed and to take one thing at a time and do what's most important first. Don't be afraid to ask questions or get help. Remember that each day is a learning process. If you are a religous person, say a little prayer before work each day. All these little things have helped me...you can learn to use nervousness and turn it into something positive too. I don't know anyone who could have been as nervous as I was starting out...in nursing school I could never see myself as ever working in Med-Surg...I was always running behind and perspiring a lot. I eventually became an RN and worked night-shift on a Med-Surg floor a few years back, and I actually enjoyed it for a while, but then moved on to other things. I hope this helps...Good Luck to You! Rhonda, RN

Thank you for your encouragement..but what about the people who yell at you for little things?At first they were really nice,then all of a sudden,if you don't do something,or don't understand something,they yell at you.I had a terrible day today.....I came home and I cried.Working there makes me want to get out of nursing.I am actually looking for a receptionist job now.I can't work there anymore.I can't come home and cry anymore.Thank you anyway for your help. :)

Rhonda V · Sep 8, 2005

Thank you for your encouragement..but what about the people who yell at you for little things?At first they were really nice,then all of a sudden,if you don't do something,or don't understand something,they yell at you.I had a terrible day today.....I came home and I cried.Working there makes me want to get out of nursing.I am actually looking for a receptionist job now.I can't work there anymore.I can't come home and cry anymore.Thank you anyway for your help. :)

I'm sorry to hear about that. I hate to say it, but you'll likely encounter some mean nurses wherever you go. I have been a nurse for 9 years, and I have had to deal with mean nurses in every nursing job I've had. I'm currently working in an urgent care clinic, and there are two nurses I'm having to deal with now. The good news is that there ARE nice ones out there. It's hard (and I'm a very sensitive person) but you have to learn to ignore these people. Don't let them get to you...just go in, do your work, and associate with them as little as possible...just ignore their bull*hit. If it's really that bad for you (and I've been there too) then I'd move on to a different area or do Med-Surg nursing somewhere else.

Thunderwolf, MSN, RN · Sep 8, 2005

Med surg can be very stressful, even with seasoned nurses who do it day in and day out. I'm sorry that you feel so burned out so quickly, enough to leave it all together. However, if you should decide to stay or return, remember that your experience is common, more common than you realize. People do adjust however, given time. It IS difficult learning new things, new ways of approach, and readjusting one's organizational skills in order to meet the demands of such a busy floor. But, time does allow one to adjust. Things become easier. The other thing to remember is that staff deal with the stress in their own way...just like you. Some deal with it very positively...some less positive. One way I organize myself (yes, I work med surg), is that just right after I know my assignment, I go and visually look at my patients and introduce myself, then go listen to report. When I listen to report, I can then place faces to names and how that patient responded to me and sort of got a good idea as to acute needs/status. It helps in organizing my day. Again, I'm sorry to see you brought down like this, especially all those years of experience. Would you reconsider?

I wish you the best...in whatever choice you make.

Wolfie

Tweety, BSN, RN · Sep 8, 2005

Give it more time. Those first few weeks I remember thinking "life was easier at Pizza Hut. I'm not cut out for this. I wish I could go back to being a CNA and not an RN". I found those feelings to be fairly normal for a new grad.

Hang in there and give it six months to a year before you decide it's not for you. There are plenty of other options in nursing. Maybe you can go back to long term care. Good luck.

grinnurse, RN · Sep 8, 2005

Nancy248

I would hate to see you quit after just one week on the floor. I have been working a busy med-surge floor for 3 months now and there have been several days that I have come home and cried or cried in the car or cried in private with my preceptor. I promise that it does get better. The more that you are on the floor, the more you will get into a routine and begin to gain some confidence.

I am sorry that some of the nurses are yelling at you, the next time that they do it, in a calm voice say "were you talking to me b/c if you were you will need to repeat what you said with out yelling". Maybe they don't realize that is what is happening b/c of all the stress that they are under too!! I am in no way condoning their rudeness at all. Once you stand up for yourself people tend to back off and no not to do it again.

Instead of being a receptionist, maybe you should try LTC or the convalescent center where you worked previously. That's alot of blood, sweat and tears to waste on a receptionist position don't you think!!

Good luck and don't give up on nursing all together!!

Neferet · Jul 29, 2007

Nancy, I'm sure you're a great nurse....go out there and show them who you really are. Be assertive......If you really won't go there again and is deciding to quit.....I suggest telemetry which is a step down from ICu or CvICu... it's a great place...patient ration 4:1...a lot less stress, more time with patients. Or acute rehab...i guess it's a lot slower there in a different way.