RNegade

Thank you all for your responses. I completely agree that an experienced Med/Surg nurse brings valuable experience to the job - there is no question about that. What I am arguing against, however, is the pervasive mentality that Med/Surg needs to be a starting point for every nurse. There are 2 reasons why I think this should not be the case. 1.) Med/Surg is a speciality in itself, which requires special time-management and critical thinking skills (as each of you has noted); therefore, it should not be thought of as a training ground for building 'solid nursing skills' 2.) Med/Surg experience is not necessary for success in other fields of nursing. I imagine point #2 will be a source of contention and controversy to some, but there are examples abound that support my belief. So here is a quick summation of my arguement: Will Med/Surg experience help a nurse starting in L&D? Absolutely! Is Med/Surg experience absolutely necessary for a nurse starting in L&D? Absolutely, not! What I believe is necessary, however, is knowledge and passion about the field one chooses--remember folks, 'Critical Thinking' isn't some nosocomial infection you can only contract in the hospital-- critical thinking skills are acquired through a variety of experiences, both clinical and non-clinical. It is the combination of these critical thinking skills, knowledge and passion that should be a hiring manager's primary concern when hiring a new nurse. And in this, there is no guarantee that an experienced Med/Surg nurse brings more to the table than a new-grad.

Congrats, Katy. It is inspiring to hear your story. I think nursing would be much better off as a profession if we just let each nurse pursue his or her passion. Kudos to your for being determined to follow your dreams.

So long as you can crack open the shell enclosing it! We have all heard what an exciting time this is for nursing. Our profession is advancing in so many ways, we are told - in importance, in scope of practice, in *prestige - but old habits die hard, especially when it comes to how veteran nurses view newly graduated nurses.* I, a new grad RN, recently applied to an open position in a Labor & Delivery Unit. I e-mailed the hiring manager in order to introduce myself and to tell her about my clinical experiences and extensive research projects in women's health, basically explaining why I would be a perfect candidate for the open position. And what response did I get? " Thank you for your interest, but I am looking for nurses with lots of Med Surge experience," she wrote back.* You see, like that newly graduated nurse on the TV show 'Nurse Jackie' - what is her name?- *we are often *seen as fumbling, potentially dangerous, disasters -waiting-to-happen. Basically, our lack of practical experience seems to make us a liability to the experienced nurses around us. But, what really does a Med/Surge nurse have that I don't? S/he certainly will have no special knowledge about women's issues or preparation in caring for a labor g woman that I won't have, but s/he will have lots of technical experience, pulling and pushing catheters, poking and prodding with needles. So, is that what the value of a nurse really boils down to? Are we measured not by our passion and potential for sustainable success, but rather on our technical experience (preferably performed over ''1-2 years in an acute care setting") That is not only pitiful, but perplexing practice in a profession trying to fashion itself as a change agent in the new healthcare system. Can nurses really be the innovative dark horses of healthcare, as they are purported to be, when their view of their new grads (their future) is so decidedly old-fashioned? So, give me a break nurse leaders; before we go changing the world of healthcare, let's take a good, long look in the mirror and first change how we think about ourselves. A profession that cannot mentor and inspire its young can be nothing other than stagnant and mediocre. So, as far as I a can see, there is no real pearl to be had here - at least, not until we bring some real change in the we look at all nurses, experienced and new-grads alike.*