Start with Med/Surg or Specialty

Tweety, BSN, RN · Mar 1, 2008

Go for what you're interested in. Look for a program that hires new grads into L&D and if it offers good orientation/preceptorship, then go for it. You'll get your "foundation" in the area you're interested in.

Why torture yourself with the stress and strain of med-surg if you're not really interested. Why would a hospital orient you 12 weeks to med surg and you work nine or more months only to orient you all over again.

Other option, if L&D isn't available. Often those jobs aren't easy to come by, is post-partum. That would be a better "foundation" for what you're interested in than med-surg, in my opinion. Plus you get to play with the babies.

That's my opinion. There's all kinds of opinions out there. Good luck!

RNBelle · Mar 1, 2008

either option - starting in med/surg or going into a specialty - is a good option in my opinion. you gotta do what you like. i did not like med-surg so i didnt even apply to work on a floor. i love L&D but decided on post partum. and i get enough med-surg expericene on the PP floor to keep me entertained. depending on where you live some hospitals will hire a new grad in any dept. where i live the hospital will put you wherever you want as long as they have an opening.

nyapa, RN · Mar 1, 2008

I think med/surg.

You develop a general knowledge of pathophysiology, pharmacology etc that you can use in your specialty. After all, people aren't just admitted with one concern, and it helps to have broad as well as specialist knowledge

GadgetRN71, ASN, RN · Mar 1, 2008

I'm casting the specialty vote. I agree with Tweety in that you shouldn't train someplace where you're not all that interested. Plus, med/surg is challenging in that they are often understaffed and if you don't truly want to be there, that can lead to burnout.

I went right to my specialty and I work with several who did the same...I have not heard one of us say that they wish they had done a year in med/surg. I think it's one of those "sacred cows" to be honest.

jmCARing4u, BSN, MSN · Mar 1, 2008

Hmm... thanks to those of you that replied so far with your advice. It's something to really think about... :bugeyes:

HM2VikingRN, RN · Mar 1, 2008

Go where your interests are........Its a variation of "do what you love and the money will follow..."

The only nurses that I met in clinicals who had done the same job for years and years were PP nurses and Psychiatric nurses......

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Mar 1, 2008

I used to believe every nurse should do a year or two in M/S before going on to a specialty, but now I know better. M/S is NOT the place you want to be if your interests lie elsewhere---it's a tough job at best even if it's "your thing", but it's a nightmare if you don't like it. I say do what you love, and love what you do......it's the only way to go IMHO.

April, RN, BSN, RN · Mar 1, 2008

I don't see what the big deal about starting in med/surg is either. I went straight into a specialty out of graduation and I feel like I've gotten a very good foundation. Lots of different meds, telemetry, dressing changes, foleys, blood draws, codes, etc. So many patients have multiple comorbidities so you are bound to see a variety of diagnoses in any area you work, and the experience you gain will always be valuable to you no matter where you work. You may not know a thing about chest tubes if you work in L&D, but why can't you learn that when the time comes if you end up switching specialties? Go with the specialty that you are interested in! I will say though that it is usually easier to get a job in med/surg than a specialty area. If that is the case, at least you are gaining nursing experience until you can make your way into L&D.

RNperdiem, RN · Mar 2, 2008

Hospitals have had to change over the past decade, especially with the nursing shortage and in nursing education.

There are more programs specifically to orient, train and educate new grads into a speciality. These were nonexistent when I graduated nursing school.

Take advantage of the times. If you really want to get into a speciality, find a hospital with extensive orientation for new grads.

I worked med-surg first, because (with no nurse shortage) they were the only departments who would hire new grads. Many private hospitals wouldn't even hire new grads. A year of med-surg was important currency then. Things have changed since.

jmCARing4u, BSN, MSN · Mar 4, 2008

Hmmm... so I guess it does seem that there will always be openings in Med/Surg. It just depends on the time of year I guess when hospitals start their interviewing process and new grad programs. I think I have come to a decision that I will first off look for job openings for L&D. This month I plan on going to nursing job fairs, RN info sessions, and hiring events. I HOPE to be able to talk to their Maternity managers if they're there. I'm going to try really hard to get an L&D position. If that doesn't pull through :cry: , Med/surg is always there right? :idea: haha. Thanks for all the advice!