2 Part Question : Ortho/Med Surg/Rehab & Going Back to School?

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Specializes in LPN.

Hi, I applied for a day position on a Med Surg unit as well as a night position on an Ortho floor. Currently work on an inpatient rehab unit.

Have a general idea what I will be walking into on a Med Surg floor. On an Ortho floor have no idea. Anyone able to offer some insight what working as a nurse on an Ortho floor entails? We have a trauma/pulmonary/ortho unit at our hospital do believe so not sure if they have trauma patients that have ortho needs. Any insight would be much appreciated. I do hope during the process be able to shadow both floors get a feel for them.

The other question is I currently work nights. I am and not a night person. I don't sleep that much 6 hrs pre nights maybe 2 to 6 hrs depending on the day lately. I have not worked nights while in school. For school I usually wake up early do my homework before classes or just before the day begins. I feel I be too distracted to do homework during the night and wouldn't absorb much information.

Seeking advice and feedback from folks what did you prefer or felt work best for you while going back to school? Nights or Days?

Thanks a bunch for the insight can give!

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

I am an ortho RN. For 12 years now and I LOVE it. Since Covid, it's changed a lot. The total joints are barely admitted anymore. LOTS of falls with hip fractures. 

Not so different than med/surg d/t all the comorbidities. I am not a night person either. It's a tough decision. Is there any chance of moving to days after a while if you do the ortho? Personally, I'd have to take the M/S just because of the days vs nights

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Specializes in LPN.
mmc51264 said:

I am an ortho RN. For 12 years now and I LOVE it. Since Covid, it's changed a lot. The total joints are barely admitted anymore. LOTS of falls with hip fractures. 

Not so different than med/surg d/t all the comorbidities. I am not a night person either. It's a tough decision. Is there any chance of moving to days after a while if you do the ortho? Personally, I'd have to take the M/S just because of the days vs nights

Really! I was worried I be bored on Ortho. Good to know second person to say this.

I love the floor I am on now (Rehab) as we have neuro, cardiac, pulmonary,  geriatric, renal, psych, wound care, and spinal/Brain injury. Do IVs. No Tele. Lot of patient's from ICU/PCU. I do night's. For me not a struggle for the most part. To others after work I am a walking zombie and a jerk over the last year n half never noticed the change, ha.

Not sure I be able to do days on my floor. Probably get use to it. Just heavy med pass, discharges/admissions, patient's have treatment 3 hrs, and add in all the treatment from night's to days.

Plus on nights is have 1 to 2 hrs sometimes downtime to dive into the charts get a feel for the patient see what's going on. Also, a chance to interact with the patients.

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

I worked in a ST rehab as my first job, mostly ortho. With the total joints not coming up to the units, there aren't as many adm/discharges. When we used to do that, all ankles were done on Fridays and we might have 10-12 discharges Sat mornings!  Don't miss that. 🙂 

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