Is Med Surg Pre-cursor for Critical Care Success?

Lennonninja, MSN, APRN, NP · Jan 30, 2014

Someone needs to grow up, learn to use the ignore option and get over themselves.

Definitely. Someone that touchy and sensitive will have trouble with strong ICU personalities I think.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jan 31, 2014

I don't know about overrated. I always used to say I didn't mind working hard all shift, but I sure hated running up and down hallways. At least in ICU the opportunities for long walks were limited to trips to CT and OR. :)

Not anymore. We have an ICU that is HUGE! 200 feet of hallway, plus running to the Stat lab with blood gasses several times a shift. And they hid the bathrooms and break room off the unit, so more running.

sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN · Jan 31, 2014

Seven hells! Are you serious?

VERY SERIOUS :nurse:

kp1987 · Jan 31, 2014

I love crusty old bats as mentioned in a previous thread. However the love has increased after this lovely but rather funny thread! Please feel free to correct any of my grammar or posts I appreciate the feedback as any smart person would know "feedback is the greatest gift one can give" haha!

HoneyBeGood · Jan 31, 2014

For all those who responded to this thread. Your comments are appreciated and noted. It has furthered my resolve to leave Med Surg. I can't wait. I am getting calls for interviews. Yey! I am excited to be looking onto new horizons.

I think med surg is beneficial but not needed. Getting into a thorough consortium would be a great way to start. With thorough training a new graduate nurse is very likely to be successful. (I need to address this in another thread).

I really feel I wasted a year of my life on this miserable med surge floor. Yes I got experience…but it has been a miserable awful time. The light is starting to shine in my eyes again once I decided trying to tough it out for another year is not worth it. (to get my med surge certification) Even if I have to take an out patient job as I apply for ICU jobs I will…but I will be putting in my 4 weeks notice on my floor.

Love the nurses but it is too much. The price is too much…they don't pay me enough…even if I got a doc's salary…this is not worth it.

ICU or ER is going to be my next step.

Hey…..and to all those old dusty English profs out there…b*tches will be b*tches, lol. What can you do?..they will always be around. Carry on while the rest of us move on.

ICULINDA · Jan 31, 2014

Using "auto correct" as an excuse is lame. Proof read before you hit send.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Jan 31, 2014

Sending positive vibes to the OP to be able to embrace my siggy line if and when the OP enters the ICU-if anything, the posts from those "dusty" rhymes with witches IS the personality that it takes to be an ICU nurse-no nonsense perfection in order to not inadvertently KILL your patient and a good assessment base and competence AND thick skin, because you are going to encounter the same patients, just sicker and FAR more SURLIER, so just keep that in mind... :whistling:

chopwood carrywater · Jan 31, 2014

Sending positive vibes to the OP to be able to embrace my siggy line if and when the OP enters the ICU-if anything the posts from those "dusty" rhymes with witches IS the personality that it takes to be an ICU nurse-no nonsense perfection in order to not inadvertently KILL your patient and a good assessment base and competence AND thick skin, because you are going to encounter the same patients, just sicker and FAR more SURLIER, so just keep that in mind...[/quote']
Well said, you have good mediation skills. I am sure you are very much appreciated at work and elsewhere.

Caffeine_IV · Jan 31, 2014

Sometimes the things we run from in one specialty seem to find us in the next. Not that ICU isn't a better fit for you or others but it isn't without its cons. I enjoyed my brief stint in ICU for the vast amount of knowledge I acquired in a short time, the respect from colleagues, the positive outcomes etc.

Just be aware..You have to know your patient inside and out, be keen to subtle changles, explain complex things in a simplified manner to family, be ready and knowledgable to go toe to toe with a provider when you are advocating for your patient, have a thick skin when you are the sounding board for upset family and gain the respect/trust from your coworkers. Surely med surg has given you a leg up?!

dream'n, BSN, RN · Jan 31, 2014

Thanks for the post. Very encouraging. I am putting in my ICU apps in pronto! Even if I have to go to critical access area or out of state.
I feel I have semi wasted a year of my life suffering on med surg. It is not a waste in that i got experience but 2013 was a bad year, a depressing year, and stressful year. No dating, no flirting, no fun. I am too stressed out all the time. I work 12hours shift, full time. My days off are spent recuperating from the days I was there. I feel like a zombie. My social life down the drain. I am too young to be sucked this dry.
Got so bad, stopped wearing make up to work or even bothering doing my hair in the first couple of months, just tie my hair back and wear a surgical cap and plain scrubs. No time, no pleasure. What is the point in looking cute if I am miserable every moment I am there. I just want to get in and out of the building. I can't get out of work soon enough, even an extra 5 minutes spent there is too much...But when I transported my patient to ICU, I was blown away. Organized efficient, calm. But I know they are ready for action if it comes.

Huh?? You want to go to ICU so you'll have the energy to "look cute" again?? Med/Surg destroyed your dating and flirting life because of FT 12 hour shifts?? You think ICU will be less stressful and more "organized and calm." Hmm, uh, don't think so. BTW, if you aren't able to hone your critical thinking skills on your Med/Surg patients, you are just coasting in your nursing practice...

DidiRN · Feb 1, 2014

Closed for staff review