1yr Med Surg - Now What?

[fashionablylayt]

Base Facts:

- ADN, starting 9mo. RN to BSN next month

- Med surg specialty, ortho & neuro

- 1:6 ratio

- Full time, nights

- 11 months and 1 week

- Burnt out. Lost. Anxious. Depressed.

- Enjoys: Code/emergencies and blood’n guts/wounds.

My year is almost up and I want out of med surg. I have earned some basic skills like time and pain management, as well as teamwork. But along the way I have burnt out, which in turn makes me feel weak. Being screamed at, threatened, and insulted overshadows the cards, treats, and hugs. My tank is so empty, that when furloughs began... I volunteered. I’m limping to June.

Changing jobs is the answer, but where do I go? Being burnt out is like having blinders on. Every job option has an issue and as a baby nurse, it feels like I’m only qualified to do what I am doing: Med surg. I was originally interested in OR, ICU, or wound care but fear getting trapped into another job I hate. Travel nursing has peaked my interest, but could I do it and branch out of my lone experience in only med surg?

I gave it a year, now what?

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

18 hours ago, fashionablylayt said:

Travel nursing has peaked my interest, but could I do it and branch out of my lone experience in only med surg?

Highly unlikely. The purpose of a travel nurse is to come in and be ready to roll solo with orientation consisting of pretty much “Here’s where you find....” and documentation system access. It’s not a role for someone without experience in that specialty.

Is it the med surg that you are burned out on or is it the facility? Keep in mind at 1 year in, you’re just now becoming competent as a new nurse. You’re going to have to start all over somewhere new- it may not take that full year in a new place/same specialty, but it’s going to take time.

Spend some time browsing the specialty forums here and seeing what’s being said about other specialties if you decide med surg isn’t for you.

[fashionablylayt]

12 minutes ago, Rose_Queen said:

Highly unlikely. The purpose of a travel nurse is to come in and be ready to roll solo with orientation consisting of pretty much “Here’s where you find....” and documentation system access. It’s not a role for someone without experience in that specialty.

Is it the med surg that you are burned out on or is it the facility?

That is what I figured for travel. Maybe in a few years with more experience it will be an option.

Its definitely med surg. I love my facility. The cases are boring, they only vary in levels of confusion and/or amounts of insulin. Starting over actually sounds nice, as is, this is not where I thought I would be or how I would feel about nursing in a year. The most exciting event on our floor was a code 7 months ago.

It has only been a year, but I only went into med surg to get my feet wet. But the golden year of experience on the floor is beginning to feel like a trap.

The specialty boards are helpful, I have been a long time browser of them. But it still seems like we never know what a specialty is like without really working one.

I honestly appreciate your reply, experienced insight is invaluable! Thank you.

[abbatar, BSN, RN]

If you enjoy codes and emergencies, blood and guts, maybe the ER is for you. Worth looking into if your hospital or others in your area are hiring.

[fashionablylayt]

5 hours ago, abbatar said:

If you enjoy codes and emergencies, blood and guts, maybe the ER is for you. Worth looking into if your hospital or others in your area are hiring.

With Covid still raging in my area, there are not many openings in any department. However, I hope to never turn out like our ER nurses. They get bad mouthed all over the hospital for the lying reports they give. No offense to other ER nurses! That is simply our hospital as I know it. Plus, I’m not very good at starting IV’s... I miss every time!

[abbatar, BSN, RN]

5 hours ago, fashionablylayt said:

With Covid still raging in my area, there are not many openings in any department. However, I hope to never turn out like our ER nurses. They get bad mouthed all over the hospital for the lying reports they give. No offense to other ER nurses! That is simply our hospital as I know it. Plus, I’m not very good at starting IV’s... I miss every time!

Oh no, that's a terrible reputation! I can understand not wanting to go there if that's the stigma in your hospital. Maybe switching institutions would be best if you decide on ER route. But I know, covid is ruining it all! IV skills are something you can build up, we put in so many a day you would get a lot of practice and that's the best way to get better! Don't let that hold you back if you ever decide to try it ?