Struggling on a Med-Surge Floor

kool-aide, RN · Oct 11, 2011

Don't be so quick to run away from the floor. If you left after only 6 months, it wouldn't look good on a resume! Also, if you have no experience in healthcare, this is the best place for you to get it, and FAST! Try and stick it out a little longer, you'll get more comfortable as time goes on.

Lovely_RN, MSN · Oct 11, 2011

Keep your current position and find a per-diem job doing something away from the bedside or in an area that is completely different from where you are now. That way you get an idea of what it's like away from Med/surg but you don't jump out of the pan into the fire, kwim? You don't want to quit that job and end up someplace worse because NM and hiring recruiters always make the job sound better than what it turns out to be.

nurse2033, MSN, RN · Oct 11, 2011

Nursing is hard. The benefit of you staying is learning how manage your workload, which you will need in any job. Any job you get is most likely going to be a lot of work. You have to keep going, you probably don't realize how much you have learned and much better you are then when you started. Good luck.

BSNRN2010, BSN, RN · Oct 11, 2011

Jewl!!!! I can definately relate!!! I've now made it over my first yr of nursing. I felt the same exact way you did after six months on the med-surg floor. I have survive b/c I don't quit too easy (definately wanted to). I cried all the way home some nights. But it is worth it to stick it out. You just have to realize that EVERYTHING is considered a priority and at some point you have to do what you can. So what you gave a 10 o'clock scheduled med at 1130. Most of the home meds those pts dont take at that time anyway. Now is the time where ur learning so much at one time. This is expected. I don't believe I'm cut of for med-surg but everyone says its your foundation. Get that yr or 2 then if you don't like it, move on. Gotta find your niche!!! Hope this helps!!

luvmyhubbybunches · Oct 11, 2011

If you work days, you may want to consider switching to nights. Although nights are busy also, you will have it a little slower and it will give you a chance to master some time management skills. Stick it out no matter what, you are not the first new nurse that has felt this way and you definitely won't be the last. The knowledge base you get on med-surg floor will be most beneficial to you later in your career.

Good Morning, Gil · Oct 11, 2011

I agree with kool-aide. Try to stay at least a year, it doesn't really look good to be job hopping. Stick it out a year (if you can and want to, ultimately your decision obviously lol), and then maybe you could do an internal transfer in your hospital (so you're not having to learn a whole new hospital routine/policies again). 6 months really isn't much time to give it a chance, mainly b/c you probably are not completely efficient and competent etc yet. Maybe floor nursing isn't for you, but only time really will tell. You may find that you love it in one year or so or you may find that you still don't like it. Re-think it after a good day...bad days make ppl not think straight lol. There's an area of nursing for every nurse, and hopefully you'll find your niche.

What area of nursing interests you? If you find that difficult to answer, then at least you can narrow down which areas of nursing you definitely would not want to do. I personally would not want to be an ER nurse, mainly b/c I would find the frequent fliers, runny nose types that complain about not being seen in 15 mins, and drunks, etc very very annoying lol. The adrenaline rush from other problems just would not be able to make up for that lol. To each his own. Plus, I like the continuity of care in the ICU; you get to know the patients/families that are there for a few weeks, months. Not all are, some are transferred after just a few short days. ER nurses would not like that, though....usually "treat em' and street em'" is their philosophy.

Orange Tree · Oct 11, 2011

I think that's pretty normal. I'm almost two years in, and I'm just starting to feel "OK" (at least most of the time).

What makes things better is having a system that works for you, and it takes time to establish that :). Just constantly look for ways to organize and reorganize.

Penelope_Pitstop, BSN, RN · Oct 11, 2011

Jewl...

I have been there. Really, and truly, I have. What you are experiencing is normal. Sadly, just about any nursing feels like that when you're still pretty new. But I know that the floor can be worse.

Please, please stick with it for at least six more months. Just think - you are halfway there! You can do it. We are here for you, and I'm sure others you know personally are there for you as well.

After a year of MedSurg experience, you will be considered an "experienced nurse!" That's pretty awesome, isn't it? And at that time you might find that you actually like the floor. Or, if you don't, no harm no foul, and you have that to put on your resume for your new job!

I have been in MedSurg for a good deal longer than you have, and I still have days or stretches of days that nearly drive me to the edge. But I think I would be experiencing this even if I worked in a "low stress" environment...no job is perfect.

Jewl · Oct 11, 2011

To everyone who replied to my post last night, thank you for sharing your advice and experiences with me. I will take everything posted into consideration, because you guys gave some awesome advice:-)

Jewl.

charlie8025 · Oct 12, 2011

Jewl.....Like I get told on the floor if I comment about the heavy workload, "welcome to nursing"! Not a comfortable welcome to be sure. Try to hang in there a while longer to be marketable, there are lots of us in your shoes, believe me. Try to work on healthy ways to manage the stress after work. I wish I could tell you how to manage it during the shift, but I am struggling with that now also. Hang in there for a while, it should get easier in time, but there will always be days when you want to run away screaming. Good luck and I hope you find your place soon.

opossum · Oct 13, 2011

I too am having a difficult time adjusting to the workload. I've been working as a new nurse for 6 months now and while I do see a difference in my time management from say, day 1...I still feel overwhelmed and incompetent...

I work both Med Surg and Critical Care and can honestly say I absolutely loathe Med Surg. I am in AWE of how MS nurses get everything done and are out of there by 0730 while I'm running around like a maniac trying to answer call lights and do I&Os and chart, etc. Everyone says the time management thing "will come" but truthfully, I'm still waiting for it to arrive...but I'll stick it out. Some days are easier than others, right? We just have to keep that in mind.

One poster said something about working NOC shift - and I agree that while it's still definitely busy, it's just QUIETER so you have the time and space to actually think about your plan for the shift. When I worked day shift, I felt like there were so many interruptions (MRIs, family members, phone calls, etc.) that I just couldn't stop and think about my time management. NOC shift is challenging, but I think for me it's been beneficial, as I do struggle with feeling disorganized.

Good luck! We can do this :nurse: