Med surg vs icu

[Nurseinthemaking20]

I know there are threads like this but I would like a more updated response. What do u guys think? Is icu or med surg better for a new grad? Which is better in general? Do u think one is more difficult than the other. I have read so much on how med surg is better for the new grad. I'm starting an internship at a local hospital where I hope to get hired on as an rn when I graduate. Initially I was going to work on the icu but when I heard about all this new grad med surg stuff I decided to switch to med surg. I want to make sure I am the best nurse I can possibly be, meaning I don't want to limit my skills to one specialty. (At least not until I get basic practice at first). However a lot of these posts on how crazy med surg is, is somewhat scaring me away. Any advice is much appreciated!

[AngelRN27]

Each has their "pros and cons" really. I personally think that med surg is best for a new nurse simply because that is where you will truly "learn to be a nurse." You will see every diagnosis under the sun, be exposed to a million meds, learn to prioritize care and assess, and you will also be able to practice all of your skills and therefore become a confident, safe nurse. The ICU is "safer" in that, although the patients are obviously much sicker, they all have lines, trachs, foleys, etc. So, if something goes down, you have a way to help them immediately. Also, you aren't typically spread as thin in an ICU as you are on a med surg floor. However, I think that an ICU nurse should typically have experience elsewhere prior. You don't want an insecure or unsure nurse working on these sick patients.

Good luck!

[Nurseinthemaking20]

Yeah I see what your saying. I originally wanted to do icu, but I completely understand why starting out in med surg would be better. All the posts here were scaring me about med surg though. I actually volunteered on the unit yesterday and it didn't seem that bad. Although there definately was a lot going on there were two cna's to help the nurses and the nurses actually got their breaks.

[AngelRN27]

General rule of thumb: if all the nurses got solid breaks, it isn't that bad! Lol

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

New grads can start out in ICU, they just need a long, thorough orientation, as with any new grad position. If ICU is what you want to do, make sure your employer has that long, thorough orientation. An internship would be ideal.

[Nurseinthemaking20]

I want a long orientation either way lol. I'm thinking volunteer on both units and see which one I like

[hodgieRN]

Oh, here we go...