Strait to med-surg or can I specialize strait out of school?

kaw5cv · Apr 24, 2016

Nope, if you know what specialty you're interested in go for it! Don't waste time in an area you're not passionate about. You will be trained sufficiently during your orientation to that patient populations specific needs. Thing like basic nursing skills and time management can be learned anywhere. Best of luck!

AspiringNurseMW · Apr 24, 2016

Hi, I would love to specialize since I'm in my 40s and straight out of nursing school is it necessary for me to work MedSurg for a couple of years before specialize please help !?!

It is solely a matter of opinion. Some people think it's better to do medsurg while you get your bearings as a nurse. Others will say go for it if you can get the job. I have no intentions of working anything other than my desired specialty when I graduate, and I thankfully live in an area where that is a large possibility.

smartassmommy · Apr 25, 2016

Don't forget, med-surg is a specialty.

Entalik · Apr 27, 2016

I think that everyone should do at least a year of Med- Surg. That's where you learn you core skills. It makes you a better nurse overall.

DrNurseEd · Apr 28, 2016

I think that everyone should do at least a year of Med- Surg. That's where you learn you core skills. It makes you a better nurse overall.

I don't think working med-surg in and of itself will make you "a better nurse overall". I think the quality of your nursing will be more dependent upon what you learned in your nursing program, how you apply that knowledge, how well you're trained in your job, and your ability to practice according to nursing/facility standards and protocols. With that being said, I think having some med-surg experience is a plus. However, I don't necessarily believe that having a med-surg background is a must. I think you should do what interests you, and follow your passion if you have the opportunity.

chare · Apr 28, 2016

I think that everyone should do at least a year of Med- Surg. That's where you learn you core skills.

Really? Are you trying to suggest that you wouldn't learn core skills working ICU, ED, step down, etc.?

It makes you a better nurse overall.

Really? How so?

NanikRN · Apr 28, 2016

Really? Are you trying to suggest that you wouldn't learn core skills working ICU, ED, step down, etc.?
Really? How so?

Wherever you work, I hope you learn to receive input gracefully.

chare · Apr 29, 2016

Wherever you work, I hope you learn to receive input gracefully.

Thank you. It was not my intent to come across as abrasive and apologize if my post appeared that way.

However, as many posters here espouse this view with little, or no, explanation these remain valid questions.

Again, my apologies to all.

NanikRN · Apr 29, 2016

Thank you. It was not my intent to come across as abrasive and apologize if my post appeared that way.
However, as many posters here espouse this view with little, or no, explanation these remain valid questions.
Again, my apologies to all.

I appreciate your response . The questions were't the problem- it was more the 'really?' That made it disrespectful.

See, here's the thing. The person responding to your question took the time to give you the benefit of her experience. Whether you agree with it or not, She told you what she really believes. That's a gift. And you kinda threw the gift right back in her face with your response.

I think it depends on the person. For many people, working on a med-surg floor is a very good way to solidify your skills. And believe me, you will! med surg nursing is a speciality that requires the nurse to be an expert generalist cause you see everything. While you've got 6 patients and are under-staffed. Time management to the max!ðŸ˜€

iCU nurses have skills that I can't even begin to list. I know new nurses who went to ICU after some floor nursing and i know nurses that went straight to the unit. Can work either way

Both are valued and respected areas of the profession. Either could be a valuable learning experience for you.

Best of luck to you

LessValuableNinja · Apr 29, 2016

I think that everyone should do at least a year of Med- Surg. That's where you learn you core skills. It makes you a better nurse overall.

"Man, if it weren't for those first two years of med surg, I'd be a horrible (insert specialty here)," said no NICU/L&D/ER/OR nurse who'd been doing that most or all of their career, ever.

To the original poster: Google "Nurse residency (your city)" and "Nurse internship (your city)"

It's your most likely path to a specialty job out of school, unless you know someone.

nursemcsleepy, BSN, RN · Apr 30, 2016

If you know what you want to specialize in, go for it.

While you can learn a broad spectrum of things on a Med Surg floor, it's not going to help you much in L&D if you're a cellulitis expert.

You can and will definitely learn the basics wherever you are. Med Surg isn't the Nursing 101 of a hospital, it's a specialty in and of itself.