Med Surg and miserable...:(

MomRN0913 · Jan 17, 2012

really any area of nursing you need to know the body systems and disease processes at any given time. This isn't just a med-surg thing.

It does come together after practice and does eventually start to click, especially when you see things more and more.

But this isn't particular to med-surg, this is what nursing is.

netglow, ASN, RN · Jan 17, 2012

You know what OP, you do know all of this.

When you get a day off, take a body system from your patho/phys books and go over it again. You do know it. Take another and go over that one on the next day off...

amarilla, RN · Jan 18, 2012

I've been in med-surg for a year and a half now (started as new grad) and can identify. I took the job because I worked on the unit as a tech, felt comfortable there, and thought I could use the foundation knowledge and skills to eventually move to a specialty once I had a few years experience. As we all know, there are so few jobs that I was worried I wouldn't get another chance in a hospital, also.

That being said - I was incredibly anxious my first year. Period. My unit was tough and my experience was sink or swim. I wasn't happy and felt constantly stressed. I wondered if it was just my floor or maybe just a quirk of mine - that med-surg was too much for me.

As I approach two years on the floors now - and on a new surg floor now than where I started - that I am thankful for the experience I've gotten, bad environment and all. I look back and can't believe how much I've learned and how some things - like waiting in anticipation of a PACU pt - don't provoke much anxiety at all anymore. You give so many of the same drugs, practice skills on a daily and weekly basis, do much of the same care plans, and become accustomed to caring for patients with the same conditions and surgeries that you begin to become familiar and comfortable handling them and their potential needs/complications. So as for how to cope...

remember that these skills really will help you out of med-surg! This is your opportunity to do a million IVs, spend a little extra time trying to interpret your tele rhythms with stable pts, and volunteer to learn and try as many new skills as you can handle. All of this is practice and if you put your time in, you *will* walk away with a reward - a really well-rounded foundation nursing education! I don't care for med-surg but have to be honest that it's helping me become a good nurse; it can do the same for you! Hang in there, learn to manage your time and get your skills down - the year will fly by and you'll probably feel like me this time next year.

anotherone, BSN, RN · Jan 18, 2012

How long have you been working there? In my med surg floor we typically see very similar types of diagnoses/ surgeries over and over. yes it can be stressful to be excepcted to know everything about an ENT post op and a IM patient with cardiac issues. But mostly you will see the same type of stuff over and over or very similar stuff and will learn what potential complications can arise, when to alert the provider, what to look for etc.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Jan 18, 2012

First of all, I am acquiring an amazing amount of skills and knowledge that I didn't get in nursing school. I like my schedule (nights) and my colleagues have been helpful. What I don't like is having to know different body systems and disease processes at any given time. It's extremely stressful. I was told it as I gained more confidence in my abilities (typically after a year of being on the floor) I wouldn't feel so overwhelmed. I knew med-surg wasn't for me even when I was in RN school. It was the first job offered post-graduation so I jumped at the opportunity. Don't get me wrong, I'm very grateful to be employed during these tough hiring times especially for new grads. But I can't seem to shake this feeling of dread going into work because I'm just not happy. Any advice on how to cope would be greatly appreciated.

I'm curious as to where you think you would work where you wouldn't be expected to know "different body systems and disease processes at any given time"? I can't think of anywhere where you'd work where you wouldn't be expected to know this.

treeye · Jan 18, 2012

I am new too and I know how you feel. Just keep on telling yourself how lucky you are to have a good job and take it one day at a time.

skimom88 · Jan 18, 2012

I wanted to clarify. It's not only the different body systems per se that I'm expected to know that cause me anxiety, but it's also the fast paced environment of med-surg. At nights, I'm expected to do a little bit of everything so it has gotten to be quite overwhelming. As another member said, it's a "sink or swim" feeling. There are days I love it! Then there are days that I have no words to describe my day other than "glad it's over". I hate feeling that way about my first job, but I'm just being honest.

skimom88 · Jan 18, 2012

Thank you for the encouraging words. Some days it does feel like "sink or swim".

I've been in med-surg for a year and a half now (started as new grad) and can identify. I took the job because I worked on the unit as a tech, felt comfortable there, and thought I could use the foundation knowledge and skills to eventually move to a specialty once I had a few years experience. As we all know, there are so few jobs that I was worried I wouldn't get another chance in a hospital, also.
That being said - I was incredibly anxious my first year. Period. My unit was tough and my experience was sink or swim. I wasn't happy and felt constantly stressed. I wondered if it was just my floor or maybe just a quirk of mine - that med-surg was too much for me.
As I approach two years on the floors now - and on a new surg floor now than where I started - that I am thankful for the experience I've gotten, bad environment and all. I look back and can't believe how much I've learned and how some things - like waiting in anticipation of a PACU pt - don't provoke much anxiety at all anymore. You give so many of the same drugs, practice skills on a daily and weekly basis, do much of the same care plans, and become accustomed to caring for patients with the same conditions and surgeries that you begin to become familiar and comfortable handling them and their potential needs/complications. So as for how to cope...
remember that these skills really will help you out of med-surg! This is your opportunity to do a million IVs, spend a little extra time trying to interpret your tele rhythms with stable pts, and volunteer to learn and try as many new skills as you can handle. All of this is practice and if you put your time in, you *will* walk away with a reward - a really well-rounded foundation nursing education! I don't care for med-surg but have to be honest that it's helping me become a good nurse; it can do the same for you! Hang in there, learn to manage your time and get your skills down - the year will fly by and you'll probably feel like me this time next year.

nolamomx2 · Jan 18, 2012

Skimom I KNOW what you are going through! I HATE IT :bluecry1: ! On top of that we do team nursing (RN/LPN), so I also hv to put up with some of the worst attitudes ever :argue:. Life is too short. I'm leaving!!!!! I now understand why the turnover rate is so high. Even my manager said she can only get new grads to work. You do not hv to feel guilty for wanting to be happy. Also you do not hv to work med/surg to feel like "a real nurse". What ever specialty u choose will hv its own training. So if u don't like it find something else :).

tokmom, BSN, RN · Jan 18, 2012

Anywhere you work, you will have to understand body systems and how they interact!

Nursing is tough... period. I have worked in a many different places in hospitals. Every single of them had those nutty, sink or swim days. It's just not med/surg. Even mother baby can be nuts. You have moms leaving, moms needing teaching, social issues, mounds of paper/computer work, a baby with low glucose/temp and another delivery thrown at you. Day surgery: Hurrying to get them in OR on time or your butt is in a sling. You then have to prep to get them all back from PACU, up and out the door in record time.

I could go on and on, but you get the picture.

If you stick with it, you will find it easier to work. Things just automatically click. But again, that is like any speciality area (and yes med/surg is a specialty).

mcneillmama3, BSN, RN · Jan 18, 2012

Hospital nursing is a stepping stone. Don't get depressed. Network first of all. Be busy making friends with your coworkers, so that when you do get ready to make a move to another field of nursing, you will have a good reference base. Tell yourself it's just a job. It does not define who you are whether it works out or not. Nothing in life is written in stone. Life is all about constant changing. Our patient population and their health changes. If you are a woman your own body is about constant changes. I read that the average woman changes careers 7 times in her lifetime. Always be continuing your education. Read everything you can on every subject matter you can get your hands on.

Talk to your coworkers. You will find that they are experiencing the same doubts and frustrations that you are.