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Welcome to the medsurg world:) You will find it is very busy and its a fast paced environment. I cannot stress enough to use proper body mechanics, always raise the bed up so you are not bending over. Protect your body and wear compression stockings. Good Luck and Congratulations!

Hi, I know you said you have to stay in Cincy but new grads in the Middletown area earn around $23.00 per hour on day shift. You can go to UC's website and enter in the classes you would like to take and it will give you an idea of how your schedule will go. Good Luck

Hi you can try Miami Valley Career Technology Center or see if you can find a program that will let you make payments. Good luck

You can also apply for positions as a patient transporter or dietary, housekeeping just to get your foot in the door. I once felt the way you feel about medsurg but I had to make what I think was a wise choice. Some nurses are not finding jobs after graduation so since I am a career changer I needed to get my foot in the door. I took a job as a PCT on a medsurg floor which is very busy most days. But my hospital has a tendency to hire the pcts when they graduate. I only have to stay on this floor for six months then I can apply for a different unit. Even if I land a spot on L&D after school I will work medsurg prn because you see so much and it keeps your nursing skills fresh. I don't hate medsurg I consider it a stepping stone to getting to a type of nursing that I love:) Best Wishes

Some of the hospitals here don't require a CNA or STNA license for employment. Check the hospital's website and see what they require. It definitely can't hurt but they can be expensive so do your research first :) Best Wishes

Thanks for the info we have the same plan I will be applying to an accelerated BSN program next fall and I took the medsurg position to get my foot in the hospital door. Labor and delivery is my dream spot so I will be eligible to apply for a different unit in a few months. Good luck and thank you for the info.

I strongly encourage you to speak with HR reps at the places you think you may want to work. In Ohio, hospitals prefer BSN prepared nurses and are requiring ADN nurses to go back to school. Proprietary School prepared nurses here are having trouble getting hired at hospitals. I know students who did there clinical at my hospital and were not offered employment due to their school not having proper accreditation. From my research federal government jobs and hospitals around here want nurses from schools accredited by one of these two agencies CCNE OR NLNAC. Please talk to local HR recruiters before you make your decision. Best Wishes and be wise because the decisions we make now can affect our future

Hi, I currently work on a medsurg floor and I hoping to switch to a mother baby unit. Can you give me an idea of how your work shift goes? Thanks

I am taking A&P I plus the lab and Human Nutrition this fall. Good luck to everyone, we are all one step closer:yelclap:

I have been doing this for only 3 months on a medsurg floor. I was hoping my body would begin to adjust but from what I am reading on here it doesn't appear as if that will happen any time soon. People keep saying to soak in epsom salt also. I have only tried this once but I plan on trying it more frequently. Hang in there!

Hi Starry, can you give me an idea of what your shift/duites are like? Thanks

Yay officially a STNA!!! Skills: Handwashing, Denture Care, Occupied Bed, Vest Restraint in Bed & Antiembolic Stocking

This is good info, it just so happens I am starting my EMT-B course next week and I am waiting to see if I have been accepted to a nursing program which will start in January. I figured it couldn't hurt plus it only takes 1 quarter to completeJ

Hi, I just started my CNA course last week. It is really nice, there is a lot of info to learn. We pretty much do a chapter a day then practice our skills. I would say stay on top of readings, read ahead if you can and practice your skills at home so you can become more comfortable with them. Best Wishes

I have heard this varies. I saw a posting in Ohio and the fed gov't was offering $16/hr but that was without benefits. I have friends who started around $12/hr or so in the hospital setting. If you are state tested that will boost your earning potential by a few dollars per hour as well. Best Wishes