Medical/palliative care to ortho/neuro/trauma floor

[SanDiegoRN86]

Just finished my 40 week long new grad program and we get placed to our next position. I really am sad that I am no where near where I wanted to be in nursing school and now find myself on an ortho/neuro/trauma floor which I have 0 interest in. I do want to do well and stick it out for awhile to see if I may like it. It seems that a lot of the pts are ortho and then a ton of spinal issues/surgeries. This is all a completely new type of pt for me and I honestly feel like I have no clue what is even going on. I had one night so far and all the pts they gave me were incredibly stable discharges for the am (I work nights). What are some tips anyone can give me? I've got a decent brain from my previous position but like I said these pts have all new dx that I have never encountered before...I'm starting new all over again and I hate this feeling. I also have some resentment that my career isn't my option since jobs are seriously scarce even though all the floors are short (I have a feeling it's like this at all hospitals). Regardless I want to give the best care to my pts and would appreciate any input from rns in this area. I can see the potential for possibly working outpt ortho as that seems to require rns in the office setting and that may be good for my future as I have one toddler and am currently pregnant now.

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

Our ortho is separate from neuro spine. I know spin pts can be tough. With ortho, pain control, encourage moving-stressing precautions, and bowel regimen!! We get a lot of trauma, too. The good thing about these types is that most are not really "sick" and you can usually have better communication AND they go home sooner.

I haven't heard about more RNs in MD offices. I would grab that if you can.