Med Surg Tech Orientation from Hell!!

Nurses General Nursing

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I just finished my 1st semester of an adn program. I decided to try for a job at the local hospital as a Med Surg Tech :D(which = cna = pt care tech). My first day as a tech on a med surg floor was from 7am - 7pm...In my 11 years of working office jobs, on an assembly line, and a few other gigs..this was my worst day ever...How do the expect people to do the majority of the work and get the least amount of pay! Only 1 tech for 16 pts! This made me not even want to be a nurse:cry:! In the whole 12 hours I sat down for 30 minutes for lunch (and I had to request that:angryfire). Thank god it is prn...hopefully I can go as least as possible. My trainer had no sort of organization to the day..she ran around like a chicken with her head cut off all day:bugeyes:! My question is how realistic is it to compare my experince as a tech to a rn? Tech's don't get enough respect! They should be treated like gold! :bowingpur

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I plan on being a tech this coming summer2010, but I will not be applying for med surg. That dept is known for having a crazy pt:nurse ratio. I really want to be a tech in the ICU or ED, to gain experience.

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They are abusing the Tech position. They either need to hire more techs to divide up the unlicensed duties or some of the nurses need to get out of the nurses station and help you. No, it's not like that everywhere. I did 4 years on a med-surg unit and it is true you get the worst nurse/patient ratios. But we never dumped on a tech like that. Maybe you should try transfering to ICU or CCU.

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I worked as a nursing assistant and thought the same thing that nursing couldn't be harder than this. I actually thought the nurses had it easier.

Then I became a nurse and realized I was wrong. A lot more responsibility comes with nursing, plus all the patient care stuff. But I do remember being an aide and I do remember getting 16 patients and I will tell you, my favorit nurses were the ones that worked with me. I liked the nurses that said, instead of you doing the most difficult baths we should do them all together. I work in the ICU and I will tell you it is not much better staffing for the techs there. There is about 1 tech for 12 patients ( but the nurses do the patient care there, the techs are only there to help and stock the rooms).

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Specializes in Critical Care.

That's insane! How are you juggling the 12 hours shifts and classes at the same time? :eek: I'm going to just be starting my ADN and was thinking about doing the same thing.

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I plan on being a tech this coming summer2010, but I will not be applying for med surg. That dept is known for having a crazy pt:nurse ratio. I really want to be a tech in the ICU or ED, to gain experience.

We don't have techs in our ICU, it sure would be nice. We only have a tech when it's a 1:1. I hear when we do get a tech which is every blue moon, they help out with baths, stocking rooms, folding linen, things of that nature. Not too much pt contact. Go for the tech in the ER.

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Specializes in Telemetry, M/S.

I was a tech on a Med-Surg floor and had 16 pts to myself. It does jelp you with some time management skills and learning how to deal with the pts. Stick it out....you will be running you tookas off as a RN too.

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"That's insane! How are you juggling the 12 hours shifts and classes at the same time? :eek: I'm going to just be starting my ADN and was thinking about doing the same thing."

I started working as a tech in my 3rd semester. I was nervous, but it ended up being fine. I work two 12 hour shifts a week now. A lot of students work, but I would say if you don't have to, don't. Some people have to work. Its doable to juggle both.

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Specializes in Critical Care.
"That's insane! How are you juggling the 12 hours shifts and classes at the same time? :eek: I'm going to just be starting my ADN and was thinking about doing the same thing."

I started working as a tech in my 3rd semester. I was nervous, but it ended up being fine. I work two 12 hour shifts a week now. A lot of students work, but I would say if you don't have to, don't. Some people have to work. Its doable to juggle both.

Only a couple days out of the week sounds manageable, but doesn't the experience help when you apply as a RN? That was the only reason I was thinking about applying, since it seems many employers want experience and aren't particularly fond of hiring new grads.

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"That's insane! How are you juggling the 12 hours shifts and classes at the same time? :eek: I'm going to just be starting my ADN and was thinking about doing the same thing.

I just finished my 1st semester of an adn program. I decided to try for a job at the local hospital as a Med Surg Tech :D(which = cna = pt care tech). My first day as a tech on a med surg floor was from 7am - 7pm...In my 11 years of working office jobs, on an assembly line, and a few other gigs..this was my worst day ever...How do the expect people to do the majority of the work and get the least amount of pay! Only 1 tech for 16 pts! This made me not even want to be a nurse:cry:! In the whole 12 hours I sat down for 30 minutes for lunch (and I had to request that:angryfire). Thank god it is prn...hopefully I can go as least as possible. My trainer had no sort of organization to the day..she ran around like a chicken with her head cut off all day:bugeyes:! My question is how realistic is it to compare my experince as a tech to a rn? Tech's don't get enough respect! They should be treated like gold! :bowingpur"

It is hard work for sure. I am in my program now working two 12 hour shifts a week. I do run around all day, but I do take my breaks. Some nurses are helpful & some are not, but I can only do what I can do & I try to remember that. You could try another area, postpartum, peds, ICU......med-surg is tough. Too many patients & if that didn't make it hard enough most are total care or have dementia. On the up side, its good experience & on most days there are other techs & nurses that help out, making the day a little easier. Good luck!

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A lot of students work, but I would say if you don't have to, don't. Some people have to work. .

I would say that if you don't work while in nursing school now, you better be looking for something before you graduate.

It is getting harder and harder for new grads to get hired, so having student nurse or unit tech experience can open doors. Many managers from my organization's prestigious units won't look at new grad applications unless you have student experience.

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Specializes in Cardiac step down unit.

I'm sorry you had such a horrible first day!

I have been a tech for 2 years and I will finish my ADN in May. I remember my first 2 weeks as a tech, I went home and cried each day. I hated it. I wanted to quit, and would cry on my way to work.

The only thing I can say is that it gets better. Once you get comfortable, get into a general routine, and get to know the flow of the floor, it does get better. At least it did for me, I love my job and love going to work.

16 patients to 1 tech is insane though. That is WAY too high of a ratio. We range from 6-9 on average per tech. I hope if you have 16 patients half of them are steady on their feet and mainly self care, or the ones who need more assistance are going to fall. Is that the normal ratio?

Kelly

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