Med-Surg needed for new grads???

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I'm graduating in Dec and I'm soooo confused as to what area I'm going to apply to. I have heard from many, many nurses that having the Med-Surg background is essential in order to "survive" in another unit. I'm currently precepting on a M/S unit...I don't mind it, but I think I'd be happier somewhere else. Can any experienced nurses give their opinion upon whether or not this is true? Can you also give some words of advice for new grads in the OR or even in the NICU? Those are 2 areas that I'm interested in, but I definitely don't want to get eaten alive!!

Another ?...is there a 4:1 pt/nurse ratio in most Southern California Med-Surg units?

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Specializes in NICU.

It just really depends on the individual.

The only way I could see how starting in med/surg might help you, is if you aren't planning on staying in NICU, OR, or whatever for a while. If you plan on going into NICU for a bit, and then moving onto something else later on, then I could see how med/surg might be helpful so you can have a little background and get a basis for those areas. Personally I just went into NICU from the start because I had/have no desire to work in any other area. So really it just depends on what you want to do. But as far as med/surg helping you out before you go into NICU ..... nope, if anything it would only hinder it, as you'd have to un-learn a lot of things.

Good luck to you!

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Thank you soooo much for your advice!

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

You know, there are many similar threads here on this forum on that very subject. If you use the search feature in the upper right of your screen, using med-surg+new grad as your keyword, you'll find a bunch of them. Lots of advice there!

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

If you are undecided on a specialty go to med-surg for a while to hone your skills and decide.

If you decide on a specifialty and there is a new-grad program there, why not go for it?

Med-surg is a tough demanding specialty of it's own and I'd rather work with people committed to staying for a while rather than waste my time training you when you really want to be somewhere else.

Good luck!

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.

No, if you know exactly what area you want to work in then just do it. I knew that I wanted to work in the ICU so that's exactly what I did. I chose a hospital that offered an extensive training program for new grads to work in the ICU. I occasionally float to a med-surge unit and have no trouble at all in that environment.

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I really want ER. I am in my synthesis rotation in an ER. I chose this site because I knew that there were job openings at that site. I am auditioning to work there.

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If you're not into med-surg, don't bother. I was constantly given the same song and dance all through nursing school (even though I knew I really wanted maternity). So I took a med-surg position (with a lousy, 5-week orientation) and I hate it to the point that I get sick to my stomach when I go in. If your heart's not in it, everyday will be a pain to some degree or another. If you know what you're really interested in, go for that area and forget med-surg. Good luck.

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Oh and about the 4:1 ratio for med-surg here in CA.... That goes into effect in January 2008, but don't get too excited about it. Because of the new ratios, most hospitals are taking away all the CNAs, so you end up with the same amount of work, if not more.. the CNAs at my hospital do so much for us. I'd rather have 5 pts with CNAs than 4 pts without.

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Oh and about the 4:1 ratio for med-surg here in CA.... That goes into effect in January 2008, but don't get too excited about it. Because of the new ratios, most hospitals are taking away all the CNAs, so you end up with the same amount of work, if not more.. the CNAs at my hospital do so much for us. I'd rather have 5 pts with CNAs than 4 pts without.

Nurses still have it good in CA. In TX, I've worked with no CNA, and no unit clerk- and had 13 pts by myself in med surg.

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Specializes in NICU.
Nurses still have it good in CA. In TX, I've worked with no CNA, and no unit clerk- and had 13 pts by myself in med surg.

Why anyone would agree to that is beyond me. YIKES!!

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Why anyone would agree to that is beyond me. YIKES!!

They told me the ratio was 1:7.

I did not agree to it- they just did it. I was a new grad RN then (2001)- I didn't throw a fit. I sure would now, though.

If I would have agreed to it- I'd still be working there.

Either that or I'd be dead or in a nut-house somewhere.

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