Many people mention working at least 1 year in med-surg was the key to acquiring assessment skills and becoming a good nurse. Of course everyone will say that working a year on a med surg floor would help, who is ever going to say, working a year as a nurse on any floor DID NOT help in gaining nursing skills! Great nursing preceptors and nurses that are available to help or answer questions are more important than anything when it comes to keeping great nurses in the future.