"She's a FLOOR nurse..."

jollydogg_RN, ADN, BSN · May 25, 2009

i dont understand this mentality... im basically a new grad now... but ive worked as an extern and as a tech on a med-surg floor, and i dont see how this is right.

doing rotations to the OR and speciality clinics in clinicals, id MUCH rather be something else than a Med-Surg nurse! theyre overworked and underthanked.

i think the best and most knowledgable nurses COME from the med-surg floors! unless there is something im missing here....

chicookie, BSN, RN · May 25, 2009

I would like to see these people that write this stuff take a med-surg 12 hour shift, then they can say how "dumb" med-surg nurses are.

Schmoo1022 · May 25, 2009

I think it is sad that any type of nurses are disrespected. I hear it all the time when I say I work in LTC. I hear,"I would never do that." or "Whats the matter you couldn't cut it as a hospital nurse?"

I love LTC, well, I should say I love working with the elderly. I can do without the bad staffing, bad pay and bad benefits, but that is a whole other post lol.

IndySkies · May 25, 2009

Floor Nursing is the 'Boot-Camp', 'Trial by Fire', (LTC is the 'Hell-Hole), that other specialities could only wish they had the fortitude, skills, and intelligence, to be able to master, much less survive.

I have always said that the standard uniform of the typical Med-Surg nurse should include a red-headed wig, since they are treated like a 'red-headed step-child by most facilities. (Oh...by the way...I'm an ICU nurse).

AlabamaBelle · May 25, 2009

I work PICU, but I've been floated to the general peds floor - those nurses kick *** out there! Gotta love them! They are awesome!!!

As the sister of a hardworking, diligent Med/Surg RN, the above portrayal of Med/Surg RNs is offensive.

I just gotta brag on little sis - she was just named Med/Surg RN of the Year at her facility - she is the first Med/Surg RN to receive this distinction! So proud of her!!

Christy's proud oldest sister,

Cindy RN

oramar · May 25, 2009

I work PICU, but I've been floated to the general peds floor - those nurses kick *** out there! Gotta love them! They are awesome!!!
As the sister of a hardworking, diligent Med/Surg RN, the above portrayal of Med/Surg RNs is offensive.
I just gotta brag on little sis - she was just named Med/Surg RN of the Year at her facility - she is the first Med/Surg RN to receive this distinction! So proud of her!!
Christy's proud oldest sister,
Cindy RN

Two thumbs up to your sis. A lot of ICU nurses will post that they would not go back out on the floor for all the money in the world. I have worked in ICU, CCU and stepdown as well as med/surg and rehab nursing. Med/surg is by far the hardest in my opinion, on any given day half your patients ought to be in ICU but ICU does not have enough beds. There is a technique to dealing with 6,7,8 or more patients. Not everyone can get the hang of it.

oramar · May 25, 2009

I think it is sad that any type of nurses are disrespected. I hear it all the time when I say I work in LTC. I hear,"I would never do that." or "Whats the matter you couldn't cut it as a hospital nurse?"
I love LTC, well, I should say I love working with the elderly. I can do without the bad staffing, bad pay and bad benefits, but that is a whole other post lol.

Your post brought tears to my eyes. How can anyone say a disrespectful thing like that to a person who cares for the elderly, frail and disabled. These patients are in such desperate need.

jollydogg_RN, ADN, BSN · May 25, 2009

im still in talks with a hospital to work on a med/surg floor that typically doesn't hire new grads but considered me cause of my orthopaedic experience as a nurse extern.

working as a tech on that floor.... i have to say.... its so scary to even imagine working on my own there. just seeing all the seasoned nurses pulling meds left and right like tazmanian devil out of the pyxis, while simultaneously shouting at patients in their rooms, to helping other nurses at the same time.... man.... i just dont know, lol.

kudos to them =(

Southern Fried RN · May 25, 2009

What a hateful expression but unfortunately one that gets used A LOT. I "did my time" on a tele floor and absolutely would not go back unless I desperately need the money. Those floors are HARD work and the majority of the nurses out there are running all day long. I've met a few stupid people on the floors, but I've met stupid people working in every department of the hospital. Just because one works on the floor does NOT equal stupid.

I don't know why some areas of nursing look down on other areas. It's unprofessional and doesn't do anything to improve workplace hostility.

TrailBlazerRN · May 25, 2009

I totally know which episode you're talking about. The comment that bothered me was when the two other nurses abandoned Carol and said "we're not babysitting her." I mean what??? Yeah, of course a med/surg nurse might be a little out of place in an ED, but c'mon seriously?

Nascar nurse, ASN, RN · May 25, 2009

I have been a LTC nurse for 20+ years. I have been assigned up to 40-50 residents at a time (back in the day - not so much now). I can do a mean med pass, do foleys, IV's, wound vacs, complicated wound dressings, TPN, soothe families, recognize impending doom in a patient, effectively communicate and have the respect of the same Drs that work in the hospital, etc... but had a hospital recruiter tell me within the past year "Oh, you are just a LTC nurse - we are not interested due to your lack of skill".

Your loss sweetheart!