New graduate question

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Feb 10, 2017

Should a new registered nurse fresh out of nursing school be required to first work on the med/surg floor.

My opinion may be controversial, but I think the answer depends on one's career goals. Therefore, the answer will be different for each individual.

Personally, I never had an interest in acute care hospital nursing, so starting out in med/surg would have exposed me to a foundational skill set that would have been of questionable utility to me.

We must remain mindful that not every nurse aspires to work at the exalted hospital.

jessicarami · Feb 10, 2017

Thank you, for the feedback it was very helpful.

aflahe00 · Feb 11, 2017

It's not required but personally I think that's where everyone should start. That's what I was always taught in school and that's what I ended up starting in even tho I didn't really want to do that. But it was definitely the right place for me as I think it is for any new nurse who needs a good solid foundation of skills. 2 years of med surg and you'll be able to go any route you want.

ElizabethAnsley · Feb 11, 2017

Being new anywhere is hard and an adjustment. I don't think any one kind of nursing can prepare you for another very different type. Having jumped right into a specialty myself, I think it could be helpful but not necessary. I did not do a nurse residency program, but during my unit orientation, I asked to also have a few days working on a med/surg floor. My manager was shocked, but willing to let me experience floor nursing. I think this really helped push my time management skills, but also if I ever get pulled to the floor due to low census in my unit, I won't be as lost. I think it truly is a case-by-case basis. Before I was hired, I was asked very specific time management questions to judge whether or not I was ready to jump into critical care nursing. Then again, I've known new grads that have been "suggested" to have 1 year med/surg before going critical care just so that they won't struggle with time management in the ICU.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Feb 11, 2017

I am graduating in May and really I don't know what department to go into. I want to go straight into a specialty but I don't know if working on the med/surg floor would be an advantage.

Working on a Med/Surg floor is a definite advantage. It exposes you to a wide variety of patients with a wide variety of disease processes and treatments. You may find that you really dislike taking care of patients with the disease process you thought you were most interested in and that you're really interested in something you've never considered before. You become well-versed in the basics, and you take that with you when you choose a specialty.

melissamabd, DNP, RN · Feb 12, 2017

Yes, it's an unparalleled experience and whatever you do afterward, your experience (or the lack thereof) will always be evident to those of us who have done this. I know several APRNs with little to no experience and it's obvious they are missing a great deal, including the nurse's role and professional identity.

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Feb 12, 2017

Med-surg is a specialty. :up:

New grads grossly outnumber the available positions, so even if I thought it was necessary it wouldn't be practical. It is good experience for sure, but don't know how useful it would be for someone who aspires to L&D or geriatrics or public health. Of course things like time management and patient education and pharmacology in practice can be honed in med-surg and can apply to other areas, but med-surg is not the only place where they can by honed.

SkyDrift · Feb 12, 2017

I started at a SNF, but Med/Surg is usually a good way to gain experience as a new grad. As a new grad working in a SNF, it was like being baptized by fire...lol. I also gained experienced with IV insertions, IV medications, and basic nursing care for the elderly population at a SNF.

One-Basic-Girl · Feb 12, 2017

I graduated in 2006 and several of my classmates went directly into specialties - ED, ICU. Though I knew I wanted OR, I was told I needed the one year med surg experience. When I was not happy there, after 10 months, I found an OR with a training program, and they asked why I waited so long, that I could have come directly into the OR.

With nursing shortages, specialty areas have to compete with one another for the nurses in the workforce. I think many nursing specialties are hiring directly into the specialty, with training programs specific to their needs. However, most will want someone who is highly motivated and very interested in that specialty, who perhaps did a capstone or final project with a focus to that specialty. It is a big investment for specialty training, so the interview process may be rather thorough to make sure it will be a good fit for the candidate and the department.

Good Luck to all new grads!!

RUNurse17 · Feb 17, 2017

Absolutely not

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · Feb 17, 2017

Depending on the specialty it would be beneficial to worthless. Helpful in an adult ICU and worthless in OR or NICU.