Medsurg or Specialty unit?????

RoxanRN · Apr 1, 2005

I am about 4 months away from graduation from LVN school, and am wondering which is best in everyone's opinion for a 1st job....... Medsurg or specialty? I really am not too excited about medsurg, however I am super excited about Postpartum, wound care clinic, and ER. Do you think I will limit myself if I specialize right out of school? Just something to think about!

I think you ought to go for what you are excited in. This way, you WANT to do your best instead of feeling like you have to do "time." I would have been very unhappy if I would have been told I HAD to "floor" time when I graduated (I've had a great dislike for working regular floors [regardless of the floor's title - med/surg vs. ortho. vs. geri vs. etc] - no offense intended to anyone [i know there are those out there who have no desire to do what I do] - since paramedic school 11 years ago). I was able to go into the Neuro Critical Care unit upon graduation and have loved every minute of it.

Good luck if whatever you decide!

Roxan

EMICT, RN

girlnurse83 · Apr 1, 2005

I agree that you should do what makes you happy. I started as an LPN on a flex med-surg unit, which means that we opened and closed when needed. Because of that I was often floated out to other units, I gained experience with telemetry patients, ICU patients, ER, CBC, peds and gen med-surg. It was a great learning experience, and I found out that what I thought I liked wasn't really what I liked. As far as med-surg goes, yes it can soemtimes get boring but for the majority of the time there is so much to do that you are always busy and always learning- helps with time management skills. Hope this helps and I hope that you find your place! :)

USA987, MSN, RN, NP · Apr 1, 2005

Follow your heart. Med/Surg is a specialty unit in and of itself. I worked in Psych as an LPN prior to going on for my RN where I started out in ICU and am now a happy L&D nurse!!

Mander2 · Apr 1, 2005

Thanks to all of you for your wisdom and insight!!!!!