My nursing school suggests starting in med/surg for 2 years. I am worried about getting stuck and not being able to transition to a different specialty. Has anyone had any experience transitioning from med/surg?
I was told the same...but ended up applying to CT Step-down and got the position! I say if you have something in mind apply and try.. don't give into med-surg just because ppl say that's how you should start. I learned all the skills and more in my unit and I don't regret it at all!
I worked Med Surg for 20 years. It was by far my favorite specialty! The variety of illness and how to deal with situations, I don't think I would have obtained anywhere else.
It has definitely helped in the other areas I have worked, urgent care, wound care
I worked Med Surg for 20 years. It was by far my favorite specialty! The knowledge and ability to quickly dx patients
I did a few years in medsurg and it opened up other opportunities. I became the educator on the unit and telemetry instructor. Later I transferred to a different unit. After five years, I became a travel nurse and moved from Wisconsin to California which I loved! After doing hospital nursing for seven years, I transitioned to a Home Health department for the same company I was working for in the hospital.
My advice is once you have some good experience from medsurg, shadow positions you think you might like and let their managers know if you’re interested in a role there. Also, in some bigger companies, working with an HR department/employee can be helpful to find good fits between desire/giftings and opportunities.
Med surg is considered by some to be some
Of the most demanding nursing roles one can do. You won’t get stuck if you start there. The first time 1-2 years as a RN is where you will hone your time management skills and critical Thinking skills.
I started out in Med/Surg, it gave me a lot of experience with a variety of patient issues, if you goal is to be in acute care it can be a way to transition after two years. I think if you goal is acute care like the ICU or ER and you are confident try to land a job right out to school and do a residency, if possible, it will be a tough learning curve the first year then you will be confrontable, most experience is gained on the job. Education is your foundation. If you do try Med/Surg you can do anything, and should transition at the two-year mark, most magnet hospitals will offer this if in a residency program. I wish someone told me this when I graduated the first time. Try to land the job you want to be in, that is my advice.
