Uninterested in hospital nursing

Published

Good afternoon all ~

I was wondering if I'm the only one who just doesn't care for hospital nursing? I've loved every other clinical experience, but I am just not feeling the med/surgical floors. Is there hope? Do I have to be a hospital nurse before doing anything else? What can I do entry-level (new grad) outside of the hospital?

Thanks in advance for any input

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

The hospital isn't for everyone. The thing I like about nursing is there are SO many avenues one can do! I think that you'll find your passion, and it doesn't have to be medical/surgical. At least at the school I go to (which it's in a small town) they expose us to a variety of areas. Nursing home, ambulatory care, medical/surgical floor, OB, peds, surgery, community health, etc. So you can choose whatever and try it. After I'm done with school I have a job in a nursing home. I work there as a CNA (I'm a first year nursing student BTW) and they work around my school hours. I really like the nursing home, mainly because those folks are there long term so they become like family. There are pts that I've known and actively cared for, for 4+ years now. They know me and my family and they dote on my 2 year old. One lady in particular rubbed my tummy when I was pregnant. I brought the leftover baby shower cake and she kept the little pin on the cake and still has it and my baby is 2 and half! Anyways sorry for getting off topic!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

There is no denying that med/surg nursing can be the hardest area. New grads do not have to start out there. Not sure what you mean by "loved every other clinical experience"? You need to get friendly with the charge nurse of whatever area of nursing you are interested in. Find out how to get your foot in that door. You may have to do a few months of med/surg nursing if nothing else turns up. But keep your hopes up, do your best on med/surg, you will want a good reference when you apply for the area of nursing you love.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

How does your hospital split up their medical surgical type floors? We had one that was med/surg/gero and it was very busy, very understaffed. But the floor I started on was medical oncology and it was much better staffed. Maybe some floors would be gentler than others on new grads. I was able to switch out to a clinic setting after about 9 months on the floor. And, honestly, that floor experience did help me in the clinic.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The most wonderful thing about being a nurse is the variety of opportunities it offers. If hospital nursing is not for you, consider home health, hospice, clinical, ED, flight nurse, research, transplant nurse, or nurse case manager.....a little research will give you more information. :redbeathe

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you all for the encouragement. In my nursing school class, there are some *very* strong personalities who really believe that in order to be a "real" nurse, you must love med/surg. Usually I'm able to keep those ideas at bay, but sometimes the sentiment is a little overwhelming. I've worked previously in geriatrics and in psych and while I enjoyed both; I absolutely love psych nursing. I also liked OB and womens care, but I was under the impression they required an extensive med/surg background. I can't really look forward to spending another two years doing something I hate in order to have the "experience" to switch to a more personally fulfilling field. But this seems to be the recommendation. A horribly depressing future. argh.

Also, I totally agree with the person who mentioned the differences due to staffing - it makes such a difference !!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion