Is a yr of med surg really necessary?

[flopmingale]

thank you all who have responded to my previous posts. I am still seeking info. I am approaching 40, nursing as 2nd career, have lpn and would like to continue my ed before i'm too much older - my child is finally old enough for me to really devote self to studying. My question is this: I've been told that a yr of M/S is really needed right out of school. I guess trial by fire? What are the thoughts on just proceeding to RN/BSN? Thank you all for helping your "young" and not eating me!:)

[CEN35]

one word..............no

me :)

[Ted]

I'm a "No, Mam" for this thread.

I wrestled with the same question during my last year in nursing school. I started out on a Hematology/oncology/BMT floor. I picked this floor because it interested me. Don't regret it one bit.

Ted

[sharann, BSN, RN]

CEN, you are Frisky tonight!

You rock and roll man.

Take care,

[flopmingale]

You all make me LAUGH! Thanks for the input, so good to check in and have your thoughts. I am glad to hear it is not a necessity. (according to most) I worked in child/ad mental health in my other life (stats) and may head in that direction but felt I had to put my time in on M/S. Thanks.

[mattsmom81]

If you're certain where you want to go after graduation there is certainly no mandate on medsurg like there used to be. I was 'highly encouraged' to do 1 year and it was something I never regret.

You will not be a 'bad nurse' without a year of medsurg, but I can tell you it will help apply nursing school concepts and skills, IMO, and get a strong generalist background to be applied in whatever specialty you choose later. Many disagree with me here and there's always an exceptional nurse who excels without it.

Go where your heart tells you. If you're not sure where you will go, I hope you consider medsurg as it may help point the way for you. You may find you like oncology, or orthopedics, peds, psych, or?? Good luck in all your future plans!! :)

[TracyB,RN, RN]

I think it depends on what you want to do after school.

I hated M/S while a student & am sure that I would still hate it, if I worked it. I think it is definitely a specialty. Maybe M/S would be better if the staffing was better.

Since you are an LPN, you will probably feel more comfy going into a specialty area, than say, a total "newbie" that hasn't had any kind of nursing experience. Good luck on whatever you decide.

[nursejer]

My very first job when i became an RN was on cardiopulmonary Stepdown. I ran aroung that unit making sure everyone was breathing and running to every "DING" on the monitor so much that I didn't get a chance to focus on learning. I now work in a sub-acute rehab setting where I feel like I learned alot more. It's different when you dont have constant minitoring and doctors around you 24-7. I think It helped IMPROVE my assessment skills when I didn't have so many machines to rely on.