Torn between taking an RN job in trauma step down or med surg. I hated med surg as an NA, but I need to work on my critical thinking/ communication skills. Team& Manager are super supportive in trauma and say new grads can still do well. Help!

Med surg is definitely the place to go for critical thinking and communication. Trauma care sometimes does not give you those opportunities. You are expected to make life saving decisions on the spot. Step down trauma often has patients the could go south quickly. If you feel you need more skill building in communication and critical thinking, you probably do. Get comfortable there, then make your move.

I agree with everyone. Med Surg to experience a little of everything. I started in Med Surg and I hated being on the floor —it’s a lot of work. But as I look back, it gave me a base as a new grad. Med Surg will help you when you transfer to Trauma.

Med Surg teaches critical thinking and communication with organizational skills and the ability to improve your assessment skills in a touch slower pace than trauma. I learned so much in med-surg that eventually made the transition to trauma much smoother. Med-Surg is a great stepping stone and learning environment.

Med surg gives you good experience you don't just focus in 1 body system but the body as a whole