Med-Surg

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical, Education, Community Health.

Hi there,

I'm a recent graduate and just got a job offer for a Med-Surg floor at a hospital here in San Antonio. Although I've had med-surg experience in school, and really loved it because of all the experience you get. Pay isn't great, but exerperience will be.

Here's where I need information. Does anyone have any advice I should know before starting the job? Anything would be helpful :-)

Thanks a bunch!

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Specializes in Med Surg, Hospice.

Be prepared to run your butt off all shift... and for stepdown to dump the patients they don't want on you... other units to take all of your nurses and aides, patients on their call bells to "remind" you that their pain meds are due in 5 minutes and they'd better get it at the exact time it's due.. dementia patients wanting to run to the bathroom every 10 minutes because they think they have to go and they don't. But I love it despite all of the craziness and the indiosyncracies of all of my patients.

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Be prepared to run your butt off all shift... and for stepdown to dump the patients they don't want on you... other units to take all of your nurses and aides, patients on their call bells to "remind" you that their pain meds are due in 5 minutes and they'd better get it at the exact time it's due.. dementia patients wanting to run to the bathroom every 10 minutes because they think they have to go and they don't. But I love it despite all of the craziness and the indiosyncracies of all of my patients.

Your patients might have UTI's.

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Specializes in Med Surg, Hospice.

Most of them do have UTI's

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

In two words: BE FLEXIBLE.

In one word: LEARN.;)

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wear comfortable shoes b/c u will run your butt off! Old people will be confused & falling out of bed and u cant help it b/c u have 5 other pts to deal with. pt requesting pain meds all the time. Less staff b/c admin thinks nights are not as busy as days. you are your own tech at times. Assisting 300lb pts to bed side commondes and then they do nothing and then call you 20 minutes later after u have broken your back getting them out of the bed the 1st time.

Just remember...stay organized and prioritize! Best of luck!

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Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, Home Health, Oncology.
Be prepared to run your butt off all shift... and for stepdown to dump the patients they don't want on you... other units to take all of your nurses and aides, patients on their call bells to "remind" you that their pain meds are due in 5 minutes and they'd better get it at the exact time it's due.. dementia patients wanting to run to the bathroom every 10 minutes because they think they have to go and they don't. But I love it despite all of the craziness and the indiosyncracies of all of my patients.

This is all so true!! In fact, do you by chance work beside me!!!!LOL

Sounds just like my unit!!

I love it, too, by the way!!

Someone said to learn to prioritize-----that is so true!!

Try to be organized, if possible. That may take some time, but work on it!!

Good Luck! Let us know how you do.

I have been doing it for so many years--I just love my patients.

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Most of them do have UTI's

Presumably, these are being treated.

[Phenazopyridine(?)] Pyridium might help until infection, with its frequent urges to void, clears. Urinary tract anesthetic.

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Specializes in ED.

don't be afriad to start IV's. If there is a task that you are apprehensive about, ask to do ALL OF THEM. Tell the staff, if there is something that comes up (foley insert, NG tube, IV) that you want to start it. You will have the time on orientation to do this since you are paired with someone and the staff will see you as a motivated learner.

Time management is huge. Prioritization is also huge. Get those down and you'll do great.

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Be kind to yourself - you have much to learn and it will take time before you truly begin to feel comfortable about your skills and what you are doing. Each day is a brand new learning experience for you. Don't be afraid to try new procedures and if you are having difficulty with any clinical skills go to the nurses who are great at what they do and ask them to show you how they do it.

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