New grad question for all you pros out there :)

ERNurse752, RN · Feb 27, 2006

I don't think there is one right answer to this...everyone has a different opinion on the med-surg first vs straight to specialty issue. IMHO, you need to do what is right for you. Work somewhere you will enjoy working. You're not going to be a good nurse if you hate your job more than life itself.

Just make sure whatever position you take has at least a 12 week orientation program, and be assertive in making sure that 12 weeks is a quality orientation.

It's all stressful, so you need to enjoy what it is you're doing. Good luck!

allnurses Guide · Feb 27, 2006

I agree with ERNurse . . . . some folks do very well just going straight into their specialty.

Lots of the nurses I graduated with did it . . straight into NICU or ICU or CCU or ER . . ..of course they had very good orientation and preceptors.

Good luck!

steph

LadyT618, MSN, APRN, NP · Feb 27, 2006

I don't think it's wise to go into something you know you hate. I felt the same way in nursing school. I truly didn't want to do med-surg first, anything but it. So, I started in CVICU. It was cool, was a tad on the depressign side. Everyone was really upset that I left, cause for a new grad, I really excelled!! But the 12-hr nights sucked and it trashed my body. So I'll be starting perioperative nursing March 6th. Cannot wait!! 5 days/wk, no holidays, no weekends!! Sweet!!

So my 2 cents, go for what you truly want to do. Just look for a really good orientation program for new grads and you'll be fine, I'm sure.

Good Luck!!

PedsER-RN, BSN, RN · Feb 28, 2006

i'm going to be graduating in december and i want to work either in ob or the er, but i've heard it's better to get med-surg experience first. i know that's probably true, but i hate m/s and was wondering if there were any of you who went straight to a specialty from school and how it was for you.

thanks!

~maevish

i had lots of people tell me the same thing when i was a student (doing med surg first), but i think it depends on each person and also the facility you're planning to work in (w/ regards to their orientation). i went straight from graduation to the children's er (where i'm still at-it'll be 2 years in may) and didn't have a problem with it. but, i had worked there as a tech for nearly a year, so i was already pretty familiar with the routine (when there is one!). i think med surg teaches valuable skills (such as organization and time management) and god bless those who work there, b/c i don't think i could do it. i hated it when i started school and it never got better.

i think no matter where you start out, you're probably going to go through a period when you doubt everything about yourself-i know i did. for example, even if i was familiar with a drug i was about to give, i still had to go look it up b/c i was so unsure of myself at first-which i think is beneficial b/c it makes you more careful.

you know yourself better than anyone. if you go into a position knowing you're going to hate it, how will you respond to that? will you be able to buckle under and really learn from the experience, or will you hate it so much it distracts you from your job and learning? you may also want to keep in mind that if you accept a position in an area you don't like, down the road a position may not be available for you in ob or er, and you'd be stuck doing something you don't like.

good luck!

123456yy · Feb 28, 2006

I did exactly what you're contemplating. I jumped right into an ICU in a quick moving, constantly packed trauma center. I had people tell me the same thing, start with med-surg or tele. I've never had any desire to work in either of those areas. I love it, haven't ever regretted my decision. Just a couple words of advice:

1.) Make SURE that the hospital you hire on with has a STRONG new grad and preceptor program. Make sure you ask about it in the interview.

2.) Go for it. Good luck to you!

icunurse172 · Feb 28, 2006

Im a pome working in ICU in OZ the safe thing for you to do would be to get some experience as a qualified nurse first if you intend to work in a major hospital as at times you will have little if any support, experience come in handy at these times. I have been working in intensive care for 5 years and I still find it overwhelming covering in ED. If you are confident then go for it, but if not take your time. There are many reasons why ED ICU and CCU are always looking for staff, but a main one would be stress due to intense pressure, the more experience you get the less stress you have to cope with.