Med-Surg nursing... Who likes it? and why?

anne74 · Aug 3, 2006

I've been on a med/surg specialty floor for 6 months now. I hate it, and I'm trying to transfer to another unit, like Pre-Op or PACU. However, I have learned an enormous amount on med/surg. The thing about med/surg is you learn incredible time management and organization skills that I don't think you'd get on an ICU floor. But, in ICU, you learn more technical skills and see more codes, etc.

Most of my new grad counterparts in ICU aren't as miserable as the med/surg new grads. Although, they're still on orientation (ICU's orientation is 6 months, med/surg is 3 months at my hospital). So things might change when they're on their own. I do know some of the ICU new grads receive a lot of push-back from the more experienced nurses, because they think new grads don't belong there - I'm guessing because back in the day, they didn't allow new grads in the ICU. Really, coming from nursing school any first real nursing job you have is a total shock. Plus, it's very easy to switch to other units so if your first choice isn't right, your life isn't over.

I would liken med/surg to waitressing, in terms of juggling 80 things at once and trying to remember everything. Med/surg is a revolving door - constant discharge/admissions, etc., waiting on people to get them apple juice, etc. ICU is fewer things to keep track of, but more intense situations. Really, I wouldn't base any of your nursing school clinical experiences on where you'd like to work. Totally unrealistic. I would try to find a hospital that supports new grads with a new grad program, etc. That way if you're not happy, you can get support. Good luck!

begalli · Aug 3, 2006

The thing about med/surg is you learn incredible time management and organization skills that I don't think you'd get on an ICU floor.
ICU is fewer things to keep track of, but more intense situations.

ACK!!!

No, no, no. A new grad gets plenty of practice in developing organizational skill in the ICU.

There are also an abundance of things to "keep track of"....it's just different than the kind of stuff that is kept track of in med/surg.

OP you can do a search and find that there are TONS of threads all over Allnurses discussing: New Grad - Med/Surg or ICU.

twinmommy+2, ADN, BSN, MSN · Aug 3, 2006

I am one of those that used to say in school that I would never want to work med/surg yadda yadda. I always wanted to work peds but the opportunity never presented itself (I just graduated in Dec.). So I applied and got the job for med/surg over ICU (went with gut feeling of the people on the floor I saw when I interviewed). Boy its been a ride! I can see where people might not like med/surg. If you have bad management or rotten co-workers life on the job could be hell. But at my place I have great management that works with me. We have a great team on weekends where we feel almost like a family including all the techs, nurses, and other staff. Plus you see so much stuff in med/surg that just makes your jaw drop (even though the acutity isn't that high for a hospital setting as compared to ICU).

You just have to have a good attitude, be able to put yourself into your patients shoes and keep a good emotional distance at the same time, and its also good to have high energy (good pair of shoes is a must too)

mookieslife · Aug 3, 2006

Thank-you ANNE,

I am really disheartened about some of the nurses I've come in contact with while nurse teching at this hospital. The CNA's think we're their to do their job while they go smoke and take breaks all day. I wanted to tech because I actually care about the care I give to the patients and to benefit my learning and future patient care. I mean if I was not about to graduate I wouldn't say anything, but doing vital signs and bed baths all day is just not the picture that was painted when I accepted the tach position. Don't get me wrong, some of the nurses are great. I always hear my instructors, "you need to do med-surge at least for 1 year after school."- I just don't know if I can hand out meds all day and be happy.

RN2B07 · Aug 3, 2006

Hi..I have been on a med/surg ortho floor for 6 months now..many nurses recommended to start here to get you basic foundation and organizational skills down. Well, I have learned so much in a short time. I look back to when I started and see improvements and I am a lot faster at almost everything now. I know I wont stay in med/surg forever but thats just me. I want to work in the NICU. I just felt I needed to start in med/surg...and glad I did. Because really what was six months of invaluable learning?? I would highly recommend starting here...at least six months! Good luck in whatever you decide.

twinmommy+2, ADN, BSN, MSN · Aug 4, 2006

Thank-you ANNE,
I am really disheartened about some of the nurses I've come in contact with while nurse teching at this hospital. The CNA's think we're their to do their job while they go smoke and take breaks all day. I wanted to tech because I actually care about the care I give to the patients and to benefit my learning and future patient care. I mean if I was not about to graduate I wouldn't say anything, but doing vital signs and bed baths all day is just not the picture that was painted when I accepted the tach position. Don't get me wrong, some of the nurses are great. I always hear my instructors, "you need to do med-surge at least for 1 year after school."- I just don't know if I can hand out meds all day and be happy.

I don't know about everyone else (have a sneeking suspicion though ) but I definatly don't just push meds all day long.

Do a search on a recient topic about nurses autonomy. That was a great thread that explained in length what a nurse does.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Aug 4, 2006

I like the wide variety of cases I see. I learn something new every day. Today I stopped and looked up a new med concerning malignant hypercalcemia.

I hate the ratios.

evans_c1 · Aug 4, 2006

I think that in order to work in a specialized unit like ICU, ER, PACU, peds, etc. the nurse needs to have some general med-surg underneath their belt. I am not a firm believer in hiring new grads in the ICU. Med surg forces you to manage multiple things at once, whereas, like another poster stated, ICU is more technical and, well...more CRITICAL! Sure, new grads do it all of the time but I think basic foundation and time management/organization is key to exceling. In no way am I saying that ICU does not teach you management skills...I just think it is a different type of management that is important for new grads to experience. Let's face it...nursing is all about discipline and sometimes doing things you don't necessarily want to do to eventually get what you want. So I think 6 mos-a year would be great for a new grad to be in M/S. In fact, a hospital in Columbus, ohio (i think Riverside) makes it mandatory for their new RN's/new grads to work 6 mos. in M/S to get that experience they need to move on up... just my humble opinion!

EDGRADNURSE · Aug 4, 2006

I started in an ED when I graduated from nursing school. Although I was doing fine (according to preceptor, etc. not tooting my horn here), I left for floor nursing (have worked IMC and now on a split m/s-tele unit).

To start in a specialty area, I think that you have to have a certain amount of confidence as you are learning basic nursing skills in a more acute environment. I've always wanted to work in critical care but after a few months in the ED, I felt I needed to step back and get my basic organizational skills and nursing skills in a less stressfull environment.

Yeah. right. Med-Surg is brutal, the ratios are high, you have a zillion things to do and it is ALL urgent. The admissions and discharges are awful-revolving door-and things constantly switch on you. You don't have to deal with 2 patients and their families--you have 6-8 to deal with. However, you probably won't have 2 people coding on you at the same time. Although, you COULD. The patients on M/S are quite sick and on a regular M/S unit you do not have a monitor to help you. In fact, because you have so many patients, you may not see one of your patients for quite a while which always scares me. What if a patient goes bad when you are doing a long, drawn out admission or are preparing someone for surgery. Ugh.

I feel that I can do ANYTHING after working Med-Surg/Tele and it really has helped my confidence. Now, do I like it. No. But am I a better nurse for working on a M/S -tele unit? Yes. And yes, I'd like to transfer to another unit next year.

One thing you could consider as a new grad is sort of a middle ground-tele or and IMC. It's all the Med-Surg stuff but you learn your rhythms, cardiac drugs/drips, may see some vents and probably will experience more codes.

crb613, BSN, RN · Aug 4, 2006

Ok I will be the odd ball...I love M/S! Yes its busy, hectic, & you do 10 things at once. I clock in take report...look at my watch & its 1300/1400....hmmm maybe time for lunch? It is ever changing, which I love! I have pt's that should be on the unit but its full. I like the constant go, go, go.......so M/S suits me great! A good day is when you have 7:1, but its usually 8/9 :1. I am a new grad, and maybe later I will feel differently...but for now I would not imagine doing anything but M/S!

DolphinRN84, MSN, RN, APRN, NP · Aug 4, 2006

I am so glad that someone posted this thread. I'm a new grad myself and a new RN, and am currently looking for a job now. (still.... ). I'd love to know more about the med/surg units, since that is what i definitely want to do for 1-2 years before moving on to something else. I have no idea what i want to specialize in so i figured med/surg was the way to go.