Love/Hate relationship with Med-Surg

[brownsc2]

I began my career as an RN on a med-surg floor, not quite a year ago, because I wanted to get a "good" foundation. And I can truly say, there are many days I rethink my decision. I work on a med-surg unit that also care for oncology and hospice patients. The majority of our patients are elderly and sometimes it seems like I'm working in a LTC facility. Actually, many of our patient come from or are discharged to an LTC. I say this to say, that there are nights when every patient is a fall-risk, so you're constantly running for bed alarms. Many of our patients are incontinent/totals and preventing skin breakdown is a priority. We have blocked schedules and my shift is constantly short. Soon as we train a nurse on nights, 4-6 weeks later there back on days. Recently, I went to work and there were literally 3 nurses to schedule to work and that included the charge. Just about every night we have 25+ patients with two CNAs. And the populations of patients with the two CNA has had 5-10 totals (patient's who can't do anything for themselves) and a handful of dementia and altered mental status. Management has been approved for up to 6 nurses at night, so that each nurse can have 5 patients with the charge nurse without patient so that she can help, but that rarely happens. The few times we have been scheduled to have 6 nurses at night, someone is called out or floated to another floor. The last night I worked, I felt like I spent all night taking my patients snacks. I am overwhelmed because the situation isn't getting better. Management continues to add things to do, but never subtracts....on top of being short staffed. I love what I do. I'm learning a lot, but this job makes me feel inadequate. And the pay isn't great. I would make more working at an LTC. I want to feel like I conquered this job and it didn't conquer me. When I first started, a CNA introduced herself to me on the elevator. She told me she started working on my floor but transferred to PCU. She told me, "if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere." I believe it. The times that I have floated, it was to another med-surg floor, but it's like a vacation from my job. LOL. It is total opposite.

I know this post is all over the place, but that's how I feel. I just need some advice. What should I do?

I forgot to mention, on the block scheduling that we're on, there is a charge assigned to each night with one that fills in. My rotation does not have a charge. There was one, but she left unexpectedly and when we got another she left a few weeks ago. I believe the lack of leadership in contributing to the "chaos."

[annabash_rn]

Sending hugs and happy thoughts your way! I am starting on a med surg floor this month. I have no seasoned advice to offer, since I haven't exactly "been there, done that" just yet. It sounds like you are approaching your one year mark, and you should be very proud of this. My more experienced nurse friends have told me med surg is a place that people don't always stay for a long time, but its an excellent place to learn. Hang in there! Hopefully you can take a vacation or some personal time coming up.