Why is Med-Surg so hated?

[Nola009]

Whenever I have told a fellow newer grad that I want to work in a hospital, they ask 'where?' And I say 'probably Med-Surg' and then they crinkle their nose. I just want to get my start in acute care and heard that's a good place to start. One of this area's hospital groups seems to have such a hard time hanging on to RNs willing to work in Med-Surg, that they will pay *experienced* RNs several dollars more per hour than in more sought after specialties. Is Med -Surg really so terrible or different from other acute care floors?

[FreeShrugs]

bd2rn said:

Personally, I think Med/Surg is pretty great! Most of the patients can talk with you, move themselves around (maybe with help, but still...), and are less likely to drop dead or wig out than pts in ICU, ER, OR, Psych, Peds, etc. People seem to think that ER/ICU is harder, but I disagree. They are DIFFERENT from Med/Surg. Not all specialties suit everyone, and the important thing is to find the place that suits you. Don't worry about whether OTHER people think your specialty is "better" than another. I hope this is helpful.

Hi @bd2rn, I have heard before that med/surg nurses often get the 'worse cases' dropped on them from the ICU or ED or something.... is that true?

[bear14]

It's not dropping them on you, at least from the Ed perspective. We have to admit those who are not well enough to go home. Sometimes they are clusters sometimes they're not. We send those who meet criteria to the ICU and the rest obs or med/surg gets.

[zoidberg, BSN, RN]

FreeShrugs said:

Hi @bd2rn, I have heard before that med/surg nurses often get the 'worse cases' dropped on them from the ICU or ED or something.... is that true?

I float so I go to the ED often to help out with people waiting for a bed and have witnessed the ED first hand. I don't care what shape they come to me(within reason), I know they are doing their best. That place is nuts.

BUT, when I get a patient who was in the ICU all day with most likely a 1:2 ratio, come up with all her PIV's not working (and an AV fistula in the other arm,) and she's been soiled for a long time... that really gets me going. I always drill them on how the patient is doing and touch base with the accepting physician if the transfer sounds sketchy.

[jnks]

I hated every minute but did it for close to two years as a new grad. It opened a lot of doors for me so I’m glad I stuck it out for a little while. I have worked in GI, ASC’s, Forensics and Dialysis and it’s so nice never having to wipe butts again or feel like everybody’s errand ***. But I would not have gotten most of those jobs without the med-surg foundation.