Why do so many of you hate working med/surg?

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Mar 3, 2007

Jjjoy- Just Take Your Time And Concentraite.

Actually, it is easier just to ignore posts that one cannot read.

Excuse me while I clarify what Jjjoy tried to communicate politely and discreetly.

While one is free to write in whatever manner one sees fit, most posters wish to make points that will be read and understood. And to do that effectively, one reviews the manner in which others write - especially when it obeys the rules for proper grammar, spelling and punctuation - and attempts to fit in.

It is also polite (at least where I was brought up) to communicate appropriately. You will note that on this BB - that means using easy to read fonts, and appropriate spelling/grammar/capitalization/etc. It is like joining a conversation - one slips in and out politely, following the social mores.

Jjjoy is politely telling you how to make yourself better understood in this environment. You can choose to ignore it and freely do what you wish. But you will also find that many will ignore you because they prefer more readable posts. Not to mention that some may think it a bit rude.

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Mar 3, 2007

-patients were two-to-a-room (and only one television -they would literally get into fights over the TV control -I'm talking about throwing food items at each other, or even trading punches and biting! )

Ha! this is when the experienced RN goes in and unplugs the TV. If they are going to act like 5 year olds, they will be treated as such. Amazing what grown adults will do.

Larry77, RN · Mar 3, 2007

Everyone seems to talk about how terribly hard and busy med/surg is but I tend to disagree. I worked med/surg before working in ED and the pace was so much more predictable. Yes you do have a lot of "tasks" like meds, drsg's, therapy, phone calls to make but a lot of the time you can plan your day around these "tasks". You know your tasks, you know your patients (if not from the day before from report), and if one of your patients becomes unstable you can transfer them out.

I never worked as hard as I work in ED on med/surg. On med/surg you know the list of dx you are dealing with, in ED you have to try and figure out what's wrong with the pt. In med/surg you can refuse report (lord knows you guys do often) because you are "too busy", "at dinner", "passing meds", and the list goes on; In ED pt's keep coming no matter how busy we already are. On med/surg you are required ongoing training like return demo of how to use the new "hoyer lift", and central line drsg changes, In ED you are required to take courses some times having to travel to take the 2-3 day course (TNCC, ACLS, ENPC, PALS, CEN).

I could go on and on but this post is getting long. Ask so many people on here and their specialty is the most difficult no matter what it is and they are the most overworked and under-appreciated dept in the hospital.

My point is I still think that med/surg is an easier transition from nursing school (yes it is still a transition with a learning curve), but not nearly as much as ICU, OB, ED, Peds, PICU, NICU, even Cardiology which are more specialized nursing.