Medical vs Surgical Nursing

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

Hi everyone =) I'm a new grad nurse, been working on a surgical unit for about 2 months now.. it's nerve-racking & exciting all at once and I love being a real nurse!! Anyways- I remember shortly before graduating someone had asked me: "Do you want to be a medical or surgical nurse?" I had honestly never really thought about it. And although I knew I couldn't truly decide without experience in both, I admit that working as a CNA on a medical unit made me think that's what I wanted- NOW seeing the fast-paced surgery side, I'm starting to love it too! I love the opportunity to watch my patients rapidly progress from very acute POD 1 to stable d/c worthy.. I enjoy seeing them get well enough to go home and further continue healing, it makes me feel like I've really made a difference :D (of course all you medical nurses make amazing differences, please don't take that the wrong way)

Anyways, got me thinking about asking the wonderful nurses here on AN.... what type of nurse are YOU? What do you love about it? Why do you like medical vs surgical nursing or vice versa? I'm so curious!!*

Happy Holidays Everyone! :nurse:

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Specializes in PACU, OR.

I don't work on a ward, I'm a PACU RN, so my observations are just that-observations!

If I were transformed into a ward nurse by some inimical witch, I would infinitely prefer surgical. I work in a small hospital, so any non-surgical patient lands up in medical. Not only must they deal with CCFs, uncontrolled diabetics and the like, they also have quite a number of TB and AIDS sufferers. Many of the TB patients are MDR....

No thanks, not for me. Anyway, there's no way I'm leaving PACU :heartbeat

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Specializes in oncology/BMT, general medicine.

I am a medical nurse working in oncology/BMT. Although I can't specifically say why I like medical rather than surgical, I do know that I do not like incisions/wounds, drains, etc. One thing about oncology/BMT that I really enjoy is the long-term relationships with the patients and they some of them are like our family.

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Specializes in pulm/cardiology pcu, surgical onc.

I love my abdominal- GI- oncology- surgical unit. Our specialty surgeries are Whipples and colon resections (guts & butts). I love drains and wounds (yes, I'm twisted)! We've also took over the head and neck docs radical neck resections with trachs. Very interesting surgeries and awesome docs! For the most part our pts are very sick but courteous and appreciative for a 2nd chance in life or even just 1 more year.

We do have our frequent fliers too that have numerous post op complications and we get to know them and their families well. Its nice to follow their progress and see how we've helped on their journey through life.

I've met some of the most genuine, good-hearted people on this unit and I've had my share of bad shifts but I really couldn't imagine working anywhere else. Once in awhile we get medical overflow because we're a tele unit too and it can be nice to have lower acuity pts but they can also be major PITA's.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I work post-op ortho and spine surgery. I like it for the same reasons as you...people come in...a good deal of them electing to come in, get well and go home. I like helping people get well.

Medical nursing is a bit different in there are sometimes chronic patients with a revolving door to the hospital.

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Specializes in Medsurg/ICU, Mental Health, Home Health.

I have been on a medical floor for nearly two years, but I am still a surgical nurse at heart. I sincerely believe everything can be fixed with microfoam tape and a fluid bolus!

Also, the more drains I can empty, the better...I even love NG tubes!

I'm really tired of pneumonia, COPD exacerbation, ischemic CVA and change in mental status!

But I do admire those who love medical patients.

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