med/surge or pacu for a new grad

Labbylover19732 · Nov 13, 2014

My question is this: What KIND of patient care did you do? Were you an LPN or a CNA or a tech? PACU seems sometimes like a safe innocuous specialty, but there are many, many times where your assessment skills and quick interventions make a huge difference in the outcome for a patient. I believe EVERY new grad should start on a Med Surg unit to hone their prioritizing skills and assessment skills as well as develop that "nurses eye" for the "something isn't right, but it isn't quite clear WHAT it is, yet"

I am a new grad but have been in patient care for 7 years. I have been offered a job at a med/surge unit at a great hospital with12 hour shifts. I also have an interview with pacu at another hospital, 8 hr shifts with one call night a week. I dont know which I should go with if offered the other job as well. Any suggestions?

MelissaSipes · Nov 13, 2014

Thanks! I was a CNA then a medical assistant at a busy womens clinic. Can ypu think of a reason why they (pacu) would shoot for a new grad rather than a seasoned one?

SionainnRN · Nov 13, 2014

PACU tends to take ICU and ER nurses not new grads, this is very suspicious. Pacu may seem like a cushy job, one pt at a time, but when the poop hits the fan and you need to start pressers, hang blood, get the pt reintubated, it can be crazy. As a new grad med/surg is a great place to learn time management, assessment skills, etc.

tfesmire · Dec 15, 2014

I agree with SioanainnRN. Most PACU's do not take new grads...you have to have critical care experience. Something smells fishy to me.

Fl_peds_rn · Dec 19, 2014

Beware of a PACU that does not expect you to bring a well rounded set of skills to the party. I strongly recommend that you seek out an opportunity in a critical care setting of some sort. PACU is not the place to learn those necessary skill sets.