Should I start working agency? Seeking advice

[kristiDstar]

Hello,

I have 1.5 years experience in a LTAC.. After then I worked almost 2 years full time on a stepdown med/surg unit with lots of drips, bipap, unstable pts, 3:1 ratio, rarely had CNAs, wide variety of patients- cardiac surgery, MI, sepsis, complex medicine stuff, ARF, etc. Needing a change, due to unit politics/hours more than disliking the nursing work, I took an outpatient job with great hours. It is part time and I would like to find a way to pick up more hours somewhere.

I am kind of scared of agency and going in "cold", although I am pretty confident and work well with others. My biggest fear would be making an error by missing something in a new charting system/not following an internal policy or something.

So here is my question: since I have step-down experience- and signed up to work med/surg telemetry for an agency instead of stepdown, do you think that would increase the comfort level? Make it a little easier to start somewhere without orientation? I know these floors would have higher ratios. Any input would be greatly appreciated!

[RNewbie]

If you are confident in your step down experience, I would go for that vs. med surg/tele b/c of the higher pt ratios in m/s. I'd rather work with 2-4 pts with higher acuity than run myself crazy on a med/surg floor. Depending on the hospital, the step down pts may acutally be less complex than what you are used to dealing with. Nursing care and skills are the same everywhere. The only adjustment you should have to make is to the hospital's policies, procedures, and documentation. Those are just my thoughts.

Good luck. Hopefully the facility appreciates having you and is supportive in helping you transition.