WHat floors are more fun/social??

Katnip, RN · Dec 13, 2005

It depends on the people who work the unit, not the unit itself. That's not something you know until you get there. It also depends on you fit in with the current culture.

Instead of looking for "fun" people, I suggest looking for the kind of colleagues who watch your back and throw you a lifeline when you're drowning.

Don't choose a specialty based on what you think will be "fun" to socialize in. Choose the specialty you're most attracted to.

ERNurse752, RN · Dec 13, 2005

I agree with cyberkat 100%...and if you want to work with a gender mix, ICUs and EDs are going to have more of that in general. But that could also just depend on the facility.

Request to shadow when you do interviews, that way you can get a feel for the place and the people.

Nurse Ratched, RN · Dec 13, 2005

Night shift is generally populated by the more interesting people :). There has been, in my experience, at least one crusty seasoned night nurse available on most units to bring the green new grads up in the way that they should go, and if you find that nurse, listen to him or her.

Likely you'll be too scared in the beginning to worry about it. I know I was - something about the weight of that license. Agreed that you should ask to shadow a particular unit to get a feel for the culture.

gr8rnpjt, RN · Dec 13, 2005

Night shift is generally populated by the more interesting people :). There has been, in my experience, at least one crusty seasoned night nurse available on most units to bring the green new grads up in the way that they should go, and if you find that nurse, listen to him or her.
Likely you'll be too scared in the beginning to worry about it. I know I was - something about the weight of that license. Agreed that you should ask to shadow a particular unit to get a feel for the culture.

I agree with everything you said Nurse Ratched. Looking for "fun"? I get that at home. I go to work for the money.

Jenneu · Dec 13, 2005

Not trying to flame anyone here, but the social lives of the people you work with should be at the bottom of your list. Why not look for a specialty that interests you? It scares me that the nursing part of your job search is secondary to looking for a good party atmosphere.

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Dec 13, 2005

I am looking for a fun place to work when I graduate. What I have realized from nursing school is that who you are working with is the most important factor in liking your job.
So would like your opinions on where I might find a social/fun atmosphere...preferably not all women!

Make I suggest Bartenders school rather than Nursing.

DLS_PMHNP, MSN, RN, NP · Dec 13, 2005

I would base my choice on which unit to work in, by what kinds of patients you'd like to take care of.

You might find a "fun" unit, but what happens if all of those "fun" people move to other units?

You gotta pick your speciality and go for it!!

Good Luck:Snow:

Brotherbob, BSN, RN · Dec 13, 2005

Looking for "fun"? I get that at home. I go to work for the money.

Is it not possible to have fun and be professional?

I have worked in places where nurses went to work only for the money, and now I avoid those places. Labor camps.

People that like what they do tend to have fun together, the shifts fly by and I the patients get good care by a happy nurse. Nothing wrong with wanting to work in a place where the staff are social.:)

Larry77, RN · Dec 13, 2005

Part of my decision to work the floor I'm on (Surgical) was the people that work there. I had worked in the same hospital as a psych tech also had all my clinicals there in nursing school so I had exposure to almost every department.

I agree that who you work with is important in enjoying your work. On my floor we have a great time and always back each other up. (at least all the people on my shift :)).

I would ask around, maybe you know someone who has or does work there.

Also you may have a harder time getting into some of the specialties as a new grad ie. ED or ICU unless they have an intern type position. In my experience unless they accept you early on (nurses in these more specialized units) the more experienced nurses tend to be a little ruff on newbies.

Good luck!

MamaTheNurse, BSN, RN · Dec 13, 2005

I agree with those that said pick a unit that interests you - if you enjoy where you are, you will be a happier more fun person and will attract like-minded folk

I'm having as much fun in ICU as I did in OB as I did in Med-Surg - work comes first but there's lots of time for socializing - sometimes even just someone cracking a quick joke and you hear it as you make a mad dash for equipment, meds, etc. because your world is crashing down around you can make you feel like there's hope!!!! It's keeping your priorities straight that's important - teasing a doc about his tie is appropriate if you're hanging out at the nursing station and the floor is not going crazy - teasing a doc about his tie in the middle of you reporting to him that your patient is crumping is not!!!!!

In terms of gender mix, I've worked exclusively with women but now I work with approximately 30% men in ICU - still lots of fun, but just a different tone to the humour..................

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Dec 13, 2005

In my years of experience it always seems to be the 3-11 crowd that are the party goers, usually the younger crowd. It's a perfect set up because you can sleep in late, get up late, go to work, get off work right when life is just getting started, go out and party all night. I saw 3-11 workers coming into the building with their change of clothes for the parties. The problem is that many places have gone to 12 hour shifts that kind of puts the kabosh on that unless you work 7a to 7p and have the next day off. Also, it wasn't just one particular unit that seemed to be having fun. It seemed like it was the younger set that all seemed to be able to get together after work, no matter what unit they were working on, repiratory, radiation and lab people included. These people would meet in the cafeteria for breaks and meal times. You just have to hook up with the group.