Neurosurgical Nurse Transferring Out of Neuro

[kaynochlo]

I'm a new grad RN who recently accepted a position in the neurosurgical unit at a hospital. My patients would be post-op brain/spinal surgery. I hear a lot of people say to start off in med-surg because you'll be able to go anywhere from there. Since I'm doing neurosurgery as a new grad, will it be hard for me to transfer to a different field of nursing after a year or two in neurosurgery? Or am I stuck in neuro?

I was thinking maybe I can go into neuro ICU later on if I really like neuro. How is the learning curve from neurosurgery to neuro ICU? Will I be able to get into the ED from neurosurgery?

[kaylee.]

No you wont be trapped in neuro. They wont be only neuro issues. They may have had brain surgery but cannot leave their heart, lung and renal conditions at the door. You will be managing these too!

You will have more neuro than on other floors, so make sure you enjoy this area.

But the acuity is higher than med surg so you will be better equipped to move to other high acuity areas than med surg.

But do what best suits your goals today, not what may happen down the road. Its a common mental predicament for new grads to worry too much about their next job when choosing a current job.

[kaynochlo]

Thank you! I'm even more excited to work in neurosurgery now!