Not going to med surg after graduation?What are your thoughts?

huggietoes · Oct 9, 2003

I felt the same as you after graduating from nursing school and went right in to ICU, well I was there about a month and decided that I really wanted that Med/Surg background and I am so glad I did. For one, no prioritizing in critical care is vastly different, such as one to two patients vs. 10, also learn to delegate as unit nurses do most personal care themselves. Med/Surg taught me to notice subtle changes in patients conditions without relying on the monitors, and most units have major politics, whereas med/surg welcomed me with open arms, loved the staff, had a great time and learned a ton from the best nurses I have ever met. I am now in the ER and feel med/surg helped me out a great deal, I am a relatively new nurse and there is a nurse who has a ton of critical care experience that just accepted a job in the ER and is having a very hard time adapting to the pace. I miss med/surg but you have to stretch yourself every now and then. Go with your gut, in the end it is your decision to make and no one else's, everyone's experience will be different.

justjill · Oct 9, 2003

hi! i'm a student, too, and i have heard that medsurg is a great are to start out in, especially if you want to get some experience under your belt.

i know that every hospital is different when it comes to hiring new grads. some are very willing to hire for ccu/icu positions, others require experience (such as medsurg)

i have three friends who graduated with their BSN this past april, and all three started in icu. they love it, and wouldn't want to work anywhere else.

so, from my limited knowledge, i know it is possible, just check out the hospital to see if they hire new grads for critical care positions :)

Shed13911 · Oct 9, 2003

I have been a nurse now for 26 years. I have heard that "rule" about doing med surg for my entire career. It may have a valid point if you are not sure what field you want to go into. You seem like you know where you want to be. My belief is that you should apply to where you think you want to work. Many managers are willing to train new nurses fresh out of school. You will never know unless you ask!

Sometimes it is better to go into a specialty fresh and energetic because you are where you want to be. If you had to "follow the rule," you would be miserable for a whole year. :confused:

I say GO FOR IT!! Good luck in your chosen field and we seasoned nurses welcome you with open arms!!:kiss :kiss

sjoe · Oct 9, 2003

It is a rare ICU that will take someone who hasn't had at least a year in med-surg, in my experience. And for very good reasons. But give it a shot if you feel you need to and can find one to take you. Why not?

happystudent, RN · Oct 9, 2003

Great points! I can understand your point about getting some floor experience under your belt....But, I dont like the fact that Nurses are assigned 7-10 pts and expected to do their assesments and meds in an 8hr period. My experience on med-surg in clinicals has definately enlighten me to the fact that there is not enough time to provide the care we would like too(and I am assigned to 3 pts!)

Right now I work as a critical care tech in a level 1 trauma center and I love it! I wouldnt mind working as an ER RN...................

happystudent, RN · Oct 9, 2003

Originally posted by sjoe
It is a rare ICU that will take someone who hasn't had at least a year in med-surg, in my experience. And for very good reasons. But give it a shot if you feel you need to and can find one to take you. Why not?

actually, in the hospital where i am now employed, they have several openings on the critical floors.......If my only opportunity was med surg, then obviously I would have to persue that......thankfully they are offering new grad positions which I think is wonderful!! Personally....I hate following the crowd......

BTW, do you mind sharing some of your reasons?Sjoe?

juji fruit · Oct 9, 2003

Happy, I have that same dilemma. I just finished my OR rotation and loved it. I got lots of + feedback from the staff and the work was so interesting! I have come to the conclusion that I am not cut out for med/surg. They are expected to do too much in my opinion, and I think I would be overwhelmed and unhappy. I love working with the patients, and I totally agree that med/surg experience is valuable, but I know I wouldn't thrive in that environment. It will either be OB or OR for me. The beauty of nursing is, if you don't like something, try something else! You're bound to find your niche...

Court

CougRN · Oct 9, 2003

Go for the ICU if you feel you are ready. It is a big jump but you will learn fast. If you are willing to work hard and to give it your all then you can do it. Our ICU employs new grads all of the time. Some are very good and some aren't ready for it. It just depends on you. I did it and would not have been happy on the floor ever. Take extra classes if your school offers them. Do an extra clinical in the ICU. Take ACLS before you graduate. Best of luck.

ainz · Oct 9, 2003

I followed the "rule" and had a love/hate relationship there. I absolutely hated floor nursing because, simply put, it is HARD WORK!!! No other way to say it and I admire and fully respect nurses who have made a career of med/surg floor nursing.

I learned how to develop my assessment and time management skills on that dreadful telemetry floor. I also have about 5 years of critical care experience. For me, floor nursing built my confidence in my assessment skills, not much to rely on except your 5 senses and your intuition, very different from all of the "help" with monitors and such in the ICU. I have carried those skills with me and would not trade that experience for anything. I hated it but loved what I learned there.

Make your own choice. If ICU is what you want and you have the opportunity--go for it!!! If it doesn't work out, you can count on there always being an opening on the floor!! :)

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 9, 2003

Obviously you can make it without going to med-surg. Especially going into it with the idea that you are going to hate it. Why do something you know you are going to hate.

There are definately pluses to doing med-surg, but it's not necessary.

Just remember to be kind when dealing with those med-surg nurses that have 8 patients when your trying to transfer one out, and when one is crashing coming your way. :)

stella123 rn · Oct 9, 2003

My instructors told us that if a hospital will hire you into CCU they are just fullfiling their needs for a body.