Is med/surg really that bad?

Harleyhead · Oct 17, 2011

yes it is.

SweetheartRN · Oct 17, 2011

Unfortunately it has turned out that way for me but im glad to see that its not so for other nurses. :) I'm the type of person that likes to pee when they need to and atleast eat once in a 14 hour period AND feel like I'm taking at the very least decent care of my patients all at the same time. I'm crazy I guess. You'd think this is only b/c I'm new but there are nurses on the floor who are in the same boat as me who have been there for years. I guess all of us have time manangement issues.:smackingf

melmarie23, MSN, RN · Oct 17, 2011

its not my cup of tea. I used it as a stepping stone into my specialty of choice. And I am not afraid to admit that. I think I'd have enjoyed it more if where I do it was better staffed.

joe17 · Oct 17, 2011

I am almost half way through my nursing program and reading the threads on here makes me nervous!! I have read so many by new grads in med/surg etc. that say they dread work because they constantly worry that they are going to make some big mistake and seriously harm someone, that they go home crying every night because it was so awful! I know that the first year or two of nursing is supposed to be a little stressful, but is it really that crazy?! If so I am not sure I picked the right profession! I just don't think I am up for 8-10 hr long shifts where I am on edge the whole time wondering when I am going to make some huge mistake and hurt someone and then get fired. I know several nurses who have never mentioned their jobs being like this. Are they just not saying it? Is it all about the nurse to patient ratio or what is the real scoop here???

I love M/S nursing been doing it for almost 17 years....im a liar if i say i did not make any mistakes, but thanks God it was all minor error on my part...i have not exp, crying ,,but i would say anger, and frustration not with my patients but with some rude DOC in the beginning of my career.(my early (1-3) yrs nursing career ) i was so sensetive, but as i grow older i become thick and got used to anthing they throw at me.

Anyway dont get intimidated with what they said about M/S NURSING.its hard work yes true,,remember dealing with peoples lives and emotion are hard work,,as long as you do it it in a professional and humanly way,,youll be just fine.sorround your self with group of exprience nurses who will guide your wings to become a wonderful nurse.critisism is good accept it.it will only makes you better..plan your nursing activities wisely..prioritized your patient need..

Trust your self..

Good luck

Joe

stephenfnielsen · Oct 17, 2011

It's hard, but you already know that. Unless it is some kind of natural disaster type situation you will always have resources to help you when the stuff really hits the fan. The people who have the most trouble are the ones who don't have a plan and don't know how to ask for help. I've seen it a million times, a nurse starts the shift and is chatting up her friends, cracking jokes with the docs, and all of the sudden she's running around with her hair on fire!

Work hard, know your resources and you'll be fine. Remember how hard everyone said nursing school was supposed to be? Yeah, hard, but doable.

Zookeeper3 · Oct 17, 2011

You couldn't pay me $100/hr to do it! God love our med/surg nurses, you are the best! I went straight to the ICU, and it is it's own hell, truly hell at times but I can't imagine caring for 8!!!!

So hat's off to you, all our floor nurses:yeah:

pale_pilsen · Oct 17, 2011

The honest answer is YES, it is really that bad! I work on a medsurg floor and I dont like it. Im only doing it for experience then i want to go to a specialty unit. If you dont believe me, see it yourself to believe it. When you do your clinicals in the medsurg floor, check the nurses on the floor, how is it like? Are they running like a headless chicken? Many leave medsurg because of the patient ratio. Instead they go to a specialty like O.R. or even DOU where it is calmer and quieter. It should be a big warning to you if the unit youre going has a high turnover rate. Unfortunately many new grads/inexperience nurses end up coming to med/surg because most of the experience nurses goes to a specialty unit. I guess its just the way it is. We all have to pay our dues.

clearblue3 · Oct 18, 2011

Thanks for your replies!!! I feel better after reading them...well most of them :-) It isn't the "hard work" that makes me nervous it is what I have read about feeling constantly anxious about making big mistakes. I am glad to hear that not everyone hates med/surg. I would really like to go that route at first simply for the opportunity to learn so much. After reading all of those "med/surg is ruining my life" posts I thought that I had made a big mistake by going into nursing. I just am not up for that type of continuous stress (the panic variety)...and the possibility of losing my license after all this work!!!! :-)

ukjenn231 · Oct 18, 2011

M/S isn't bad. I never wanted to do it, but I ended up there. I have learned so much. It's not for everyone. I prefer 6 walkie-talkie patients to 1 or 2 critical care patients. If you have to start med/surg, ask lots of questions, find out about what kind of support you have at the hospital, and look at it as an opportunity to build a good foundation. My philosophy is when I go to work, I will do the best I can for the next 12 hours. I can't say I'm excited to go to work, but I am proud of my career.

Tait, MSN, RN · Oct 18, 2011

I would rather work med/surg than renal. Every floor has it pros and cons. Nursing is hard.

SweetheartRN · Oct 24, 2011

I would rather work med/surg than renal. Every floor has it pros and cons. Nursing is hard.

Maybe thats my problem lol. I'm on a Medical Renal floor.

Lennonninja, MSN, APRN, NP · Oct 26, 2011

I would rather work med/surg than renal. Every floor has it pros and cons. Nursing is hard.

I'm a new grad on a medical renal floor. It's really hard, and we just had our ratios get worse to "improve pt satisfaction scores". Yeah, I don't get it either.