Is 6 Month Of Med-Surg Enough?

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Aug 20, 2009

i am post six months. unlike you i hate the floor i normally work (i float) and it is far from boring... (very busy). thus, i started looking for an ed job from day one. i stopped wasting my time with my current facility because i was unable to transfer into the ed and found a job at another hospital some distance away. in fact, the job posting stated 6 months acute care experience or 1 year outpatient for all specialty areas. i applied only to ed positions (all of them) and landed one to start soon.

is six months enough? i doubt it!!! however, i do not care!!! my passion is only for the ed and so i will do what it takes to learn and grow as an emergency nurse. besides, there are plenty of new grads that never step foot on a medical surgical floor and work in specialty areas his/her entire careers. yes, i know that some sink rather then swim because he/she cannot grasp the basics (i think i have those down), but this holds true of the med surg floors as well especially where i work. for example, i know two new grad nurses that had a nervous breakdown last year and one that quit nursing all together after a few months. :down: on the other hand, there is a lot to be learned from working med-surg and so i am greatful for what i know and the confidence i have built as a new rn, but it is time for me to move on!!! op, if you feel the same, then join me! :)

Ruby Vee, BSN · Aug 20, 2009

if your job isn't horrible in some way, stay at least a year. managers look askance at new grads who stay less than one year at their first job. but i'm questioning why you're so bored so early in your career -- there is a lot to learn in med/surg. are you making the most of your opportunities?

roxannej_rn · Aug 20, 2009

I'm still looking for a job....I'll gladly take yours.... :)

Kudos, and I'll relocate. Wonder if they're hiring other new grads. We could apply!

PEREZRN · Aug 20, 2009

Count me in! =)

WinterWolf90 · Aug 26, 2009

Thanks for all the advice. I know it's been a while since I posted this, but I have been busy.

I am almost out of orientation. (I have been in it for about 3 months) Orientation for me has been pretty good. I don't get treated like I don't know anything and people trust me. As of the last two months I pretty much am a regular nurse and do everything for around 7 patients. The floor is 20 beds and there are three nurses on for nights. So the breakup is usually 6 7 and 7 for the nurses and I take a full load of patients.

You would think the diseases would be vast and different, but for almost around 75% of the patients it involves either a mild MI, DT/Withdrawal, Electrolyte Imbalance, Appendicitis/pancreatitis,G Bladder removal, or someone that has a resp infection. taking care of the same thing gets old.

I do realize that people don't have jobs but that really has nothing to do with the topic. So do please keep it on topic.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Aug 26, 2009

I think that if your collagues are respectful and are willing to teach, stay while looking for other opportunities. I have learned from experience that sometimes, the grass looks greener on the other side. I have seen many people never land to med-surg and go straight to specialties while others have done the traditional year of med-surg. It depends on what the other place is looking for, I guess...some don't mind if you have less than a year, while others want that year. And, I agree, take advantage of all learning opportunities when they arise. Tell your co-workers to inform you of things you aren't familiar with. I did that in my clinic (I was not bored, though). I told them to please get me for the unusual, and believe me, they do!

rn_nxt_dr · Aug 27, 2009

Gosh! What's up with this 1 year fixation? I cannot believe the rules just to get an experience of sort. Like 6 months is not enough to gain "some experience".

I am beginning to think , I chose the wrong change of career---yes, this was the change----apparently is not working.

DoGoodThenGo · Aug 27, 2009

Gosh! What's up with this 1 year fixation? I cannot believe the rules just to get an experience of sort. Like 6 months is not enough to gain "some experience".
I am beginning to think , I chose the wrong change of career---yes, this was the change----apparently is not working.

The "one year thing" came about because until rather recently, most new grads put in time on the floors before going onto a unit or ER. Know some "old school" grads who did go straight from school to a unit, but those hospitals were the exception rather than the rule.

IIRC, the idea of new grads working on the floors for a year gave time to work out any bad habits and help them get the basics of nursing (med/surg, OB/GYN, Peds, etc) before becoming going onto a speciality.

Of course today the average hospital patient is on average sicker and more can and often is done than say 10 or even 20 years ago, hence many nurses prefer to pick their speciality early on so they can concentrate on the type of patient they will be caring for most often.

Kora0880, BSN, RN · Aug 28, 2009

Routine in 6 months? Are you kidding me? I find it ubelievable and funny at the same time.......part of it is the fact its nights...days are no routine...unless you've trully done it ALL:lol2:

PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN · Aug 28, 2009

Yours would be a reason why new grads are having a hard time finding a job.

blondy2061h, MSN, RN · Aug 28, 2009

I'm also shocked it's so "routine" and "boring" after 3 months. That's unbelievable to me. Are you even off orientation yet? I'm still scared stiff half my shifts 18 months in.

Goingthere · Aug 28, 2009

Never complain about where you are, complain about where your going. You may find the next floor unbearable. Stay for a year-transfer within the hospital as the economy is still tough.