Surgical Nursing Advice

nursenatalie, ADN, RN · Apr 15, 2004

I started on a surgical floor as a new grad and dont regret it for a minute. I use a wide array of skills on a daily basis. You never know what you might have. Last night I had (1) patient post op TURP with a CBI, (2) post-op day 4 hemicolectomy with an NG tube secondary to Ileus,(3 ) post op gastrectomy with roux-en-y who began DT's, (4) Hydronephrosis with stent placement (emergency surgery at 1 am) (5) Pleural effusion with two chest tubes (6) Open appy (pt septic) I love it, always different and always keeps you on your toes! Very individual experience, maybe you could float one day and see what you think.

janleb · Apr 16, 2004

I would recomment at least 2-3 yrs med surg experience for every new grad. You get to learn new skills, and practice skills you already learned in nursing school. A typical med surg day is very tiring, but I feel if you can get a good hand on med surg nursing you can learn just about anything. Along with nursing skills , time management, being in charge, it builds a back bone. A wonderful base for any type of nursing.

circa68 · Apr 16, 2004

WOW! :) I think I am beginning to understand these boards. You respnded to my poorly done post--thanks. So I thought I would just say that once upon a time - everybody did at least a year med surg after graduation--not so today, but for me I actually gravitated back to med-surg and that is what I like the best because of the variety. It is very busy but you really do get a lot of experience and it is a great building block. So if you think you might like surgical I think you should try to arrange for a floating day to a surgical unit, as someone else already suggested. I once thought I wanted OR and got a trial in the OR where I worked--in 3 days I realized it was not for me. So I didn't make the move. Good luck!

Nrs. LaLa-Land · Apr 16, 2004

Thanks everyone for your input. I think I have been putting off the inevitable. I knew out of school that I should have gone to a med/surg type floor but I fought it with every fiber of my being. But now I am realizing that I should just bite the bullet and go for the great learning experience. I can get a job anywhere if I have this great experience.

I am kind of worried though because this hospital that I work at has already invested so much time and money in my orientation. I applied there because they did offer a new-grad position in post-partum (which I thought I wanted).

If I go to surgical nursing, I want to work at a hospital closer to my home.

It is actually the same hospital name...just a different location that is closer.

Any advice for switching jobs before a year of experience is up?

Will it give me a bad rep?

SharonH, RN · Apr 17, 2004

I really, really enjoyed surgical and I prefer surgical ortho. Be forewarned, a strictly surgical floor can be very fast-paced especially on the 3-11 shift when your post-ops are returning. That can be overwhelming for a new nurse and lead to an early burnout. I would go with a medical floor or med-surg floor.

Nursekatydid · May 3, 2004

I tech on a surgical floor and will be working on that floor when I graduate. I prefer surgical pts to medical pts by a long run. We frequently have fast turnover. You see people coming up from ER feeling really crappy and leaving the hospital feeling much much better :) It does get crazy busy, surgeries and admits seem to all come at once, but I truly love my floor!!!

RN8Last · Jul 10, 2004

HI. I am a New Grad working in a Post-Partum unit. I have been there for 3 months. I don't plan to be there forever. As time goes by, I am beginning to wonder if I made a mistake because I am losing all of my med/surg experience that I learned in school.
I am considering employment on a surgical floor.
I hated med/surg in school but I was hoping that working just the "surgical" side of it would be better.
Can anyone tell me if they like working on the surgical floor....what can I expect....and would it be a good area for a new grad?
Any info is appreciated because I am so confused right now about what I should do. Thanks

I love working on the surgical floor. Different cases and not to mention it is a " cleaner" unit , if you know what I mean!

gypsynurse7 · Jul 11, 2004

I have always worked on the surgical side of med-surg and wouldn't EVER want to go to the other side. I have worked the gamut of surgical specialties, and, with the exception of e.n.t. and neurosurgery, I love it all! After five years of surgical nursing, I don't regret for a minute that I went straight to a busy surgical floor right out of nursing school...it has been very frustrating at times, but I wouldn't change a thing.