Med/Surg unit...

Sillynicunurse · Dec 28, 2008

Well there is the old adage that one must start on a med-surg floor in order to hone your organizational and assessment skills. As a fairly new nurse (10 months) that started in a medical/surgical ICU I have mixed emotions. If you really want to do something along the lines of E.R. , ICU ect then go for it. Where I begin to waver is the fact that I have never cared for more than 3 patients at a time. Our ICU does get pulled to the floors and it terrifies me to think that I could have 6-7 patients that I am responsible for. I understand that they are not as critically ill as my normal patients but they are still sick and I am really outnumbered. If I had started on the med-surg floor I would not have that fear as I would have learned from the beginning to handle that work load/pace.

Whew.....Yes it is possible to go into ER or Oncology straight from school if the hospitals in your area will accept new grads. As a new grad I would make sure that they have a healthy orientation to those areas before I would accept a position there.

Best of luck in your new career.

want to do good 86 · Dec 28, 2008

Thanks Melissa B RN for your advice :wink2: I really appreciate it!

LovingNurse, BSN, RN · Dec 29, 2008

I had 2 oncology offers right out of school. I'd already accepted a med/surg position though. I love med/surg variety - just the pace is rough.

msoohwee23 · Dec 31, 2008

As stated in a previous post, it's my understanding (and required in the hospital where I work) that it's easier to get into a specialty unit if you have med/surg experience. I'm currently an LPN working on a med/surg unit waiting to start the RN program this upcoming May/August, by the time I finish I will have over 2 years experience on a med/surg unit. That will make me a better candidate for a job than a new nurse for that reason. If you can get into the specialty you want right from school, I say go for it. Never be afraid to ask questions and I'm sure you'll be a great success!!

newmommy5208 · Jan 1, 2009

I agree with Melissa B RN.. the days are LONG gone where you have to start out on a med/surg floor. As a new grad RN myself, I am starting out in the ER. Check with your facility and see if they take new grads in the ER or oncology or whatever your preference is when you start looking for a job (believe me it may change). & if they do take new grads, find out if they have a structured orientation to help make you comfortable. You may want to look into working as a CNA in the ER/Onc to see how you like the environment and it will look good on your application. Also, try to get your preceptorship on whichever unit you want to be hired on; it will give you an edge on everyone else applying for the same position. Good luck with everything :)

mommyX2 · Jan 3, 2009

I have started out in a med/surg unit for my own benefit and knowing my own learning needs. I feel that I will be better off if I work with patients with a lot of differing disease processes and co-morbidities so that I have a better understanding of not only the diseases themselves but also the medications they are taking. While I know that in most areas of the hospital you see patients with these issues, on a med-surg floor they can be seen in varying stages (ex. exacerbation of a disease, remission, day to day dealing with, etc.) I also want my skills down so that when I move on to a more focused area I can immerse myself in the skills I need for that area as opposed to learning basic nursing skills as well as the skills specific to that job. But, as I said, I know my own learning needs and I am sure others will do great going straight into a specific area. It is all up to you and what you are comfortable with.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jan 3, 2009

you don't have to start out in med-surg any more, but it sure is smarter. learn how to be a nurse first, then go to er or icu. starting out in oncology isn't a bad idea, either. like med-surg, you'll have a wide variety of patients since cancer can affect any organ system in the body and treatment can be medical and/or surgical. you'll learn time management, prioritization, how to talk to patients, families and doctors, develop skills with procedures and learn to take care of multiple patients at once. good luck!

want to do good 86 · Jan 3, 2009

Thank you all!!

NICURN04 · Jan 4, 2009

more power to all the med-surg nurses out there! I just made to my 1st year in nursing starting out in NICU and cannot even imagine working anywhere else. If they ever pull me to a med-surg unit, I would probably have a heart attack there and then. We only have to take care of 2 babies in NICU, at times 1, so I cannot imagine having to take care of 5-6 pts!

nursealanarae · Jan 5, 2009

I work on a med-surg floor and I am a new nurse. I have been on this floor for about 8 months. It is rough, but I have learned so much! I think in another year I will feel confident to go anywhere. I highly suggest it because you get a lit bit of everything and learn something new everyday. Everyday is an adventure, and a little less intense than in an ICU or ER.

Alana