Should I hang it up before I get hung up?

UM Review RN, ASN, RN · Jan 29, 2008

Oh honey, you sound like me when I first started out!

I was really slow, could never finish on time, was easily freaked out (which as you know slows you down even more) and a few of my coworkers had little patience for waiting on my learning curve.

I stuck with it because I had no other options.

All I can say is, when I finally get it, I've got it. It took about a year for me to get it.

I worked LTC too and I think that of the two, MS is easier. Yes, you heard me right. MS is easier than LTC because the families in MS aren't around long enough to drive you completely crazy. You hang antibiotics, give pain meds, assess the patient and the incisions. You learn what's normal and what's not and when to call the doc. Med-surg is not easy by any stretch, but neither is LTC so if you mastered that, you can do Med-surg, trust me. Just give yourself some time.

I watched and learned from other nurses, and while I'm not Ms. Speedy, I can get done in time and I have other skills to bring to the table that make up for my slowness. I'm sure you do too.

Hang in there, it'll come together for you.

nservice · Jan 29, 2008

Why in the world would any hospital think that 4 weeks is enough orientation? You need time to adjust and 4 weeks is not enough. In my experience, Nurses who are returning to acute care usually need longer orientation. Especially those who have been out of nursing all together. I have finally convinced my supervisors that this investment of time is worth it. The returning nurses I've worked with have turned out to be fantastic practicioners. Once the time managment is mastered, there is a wealth of critical thinking skills that the new graduates haven't developed yet. Please be patient with yourself. Talk frequently with your preceptors, supervisor, and educators. If you like Med-Surg, stick with it and I'm confident you will be successful.

grantyRN06 · Jan 30, 2008

Hey! Don't beat yourself up. I also came from 10 years of LTC and sub-acute. I know what you mean...it is a whole different ballgame in med surg. But like the others have said give it some time..and I can't understand why the nurse managers would think that 4wks is enough. It's a different world..and during day shift soooooo much is going on ...pre-op, post-op, post-procedure, HD,admissions, discharge, transfers, DOCTORS EVERYWHERE!!!!! writing orders every two minutes..hey that's a lot to get used to. And what about the different tasks that you have to do..inserting IV's type and crossing, transfusing etc. We do A LOT in medsurg. Keep your head up and don't under estimate yourself. Speak to your Clin Spec. and as for those nurses who are resentful..I wonder if they forget that they were not born nurses. They too had to learn from the scratch and develop in their own way and at their own pace.

Good Luck!! :up:

garciadiego · Jan 30, 2008

I want to thank those who replied for your great supportive help.

cherilee · Feb 1, 2008

you wanna hear something funny?

I did one full year of med surg, found a day job in long term acute care and I sucked in the LTC!

It is tough to go from one facility to another in healthcare because every facility is very different in structure, documentation, protocols,etc.

I had a preceptor that I bumped heads with at every turn. There were skills needed there that I didn't acquire in my med s urg job.

guess waht, im back in med surg LOL:cheers:

military girl · Feb 16, 2008

I too agree with the others that have posted. Being in the military, we don't have the benefit of long term care, however, I did work as a nurse in a LTC for about a week.

I couldn't stand it. Not that I didn't like it, but there was just too much liability for me. Some days there were not enough CNAs, and being only there PRN I didn't really know the residents and had to rely on others to help me ID these people.

Anyway, with Med/Surg, take all the experiences that you can. I know that Med/Surg is hard some days. I have been in an admin position for 2 months now and I miss nursing. I worked day shift and yes, it is busy with all that is going on. But just like I told all the nurses that I precepted, if you feel that your orientation time is not enough, then let the HN know. It is an investment at first, but it will pay off in rich dividends for the HN if she/he lets you have a little bit more time. I realize that there will always be people that feel that 4 weeks or 6 weeks is enough time, but you are not them.

Don't give up, show them that you can do the job. Believe me, I've had my days when I wanted to give up and felt bummed, but the next day was always better.

Keep hanging on.

Ruffles 1 · Mar 10, 2008

Med/Surg is one of the most challenging floors, that a nurse can work on. We have to focus on the whole patient. It takes a long time to feel confident and get the routine down. Good Luck

grantyRN06 · Mar 11, 2008

I like that Ruffles 1 "we have to focus on the whole patient" That was well put. We really are challenged on a daily basis.

BookwormRN · Mar 12, 2008

Amen! Med/surg is a challenge each and every day! I belong to a nurse residency group at a larger hospital where there are specialty units; my hospital is very small-med/surg; ED; OB and ICU.

When the nurses at the larger hospital hear our stories, they say "WOW! You deal with ____? and ____? I am on surgical or OB or Tele or medical."

There are definite ups and downs to this type of nursing-but at least we can say we are well-rounded! :)

nurse494 · Mar 22, 2008

there is much better then med surg