Med-surg nurses wear several hats and juggle a variety of tasks within a typical assignment. Med-surg is a specialty of its own, providing a variety of skills, problem-solving, and understanding of multiple diagnoses within the same admission. Unless you work in med-surg, you may not understand the complexities of patients that are treated within the walls of med-surg. Med-surg nursing is a quiet secret in the nursing profession. What do you like about working in med-surg? Being able to connect with patients and families and support them during a challenging time is what nursing is all about. Patients are coming to the hospital during vulnerable times and may be provided an unfavorable diagnosis. The other skill that is role modeled often is compassion. Flexibility is one of the keys to nursing. There are constant changes from the patient, the provider, and often the organization so being flexible is imperative. Adaptability is another skill that serves well within med-surg. When you think about the needs of patients on med-surg units, one of many skills includes critical thinking such as critically thinking through treatment plans, orders, lab interpretation, and the nursing impact on the care being provided. This training has been beneficial in supporting the med-surg nursing units.Īre there particular skills that serve med-surg nurses best and how do they help? With my most recent degree, the DNP, I was able to obtain skills to influence organizations with system thinking and application of advancing nursing practice and improving patient care outcomes. All of my educational experiences provided a different level of thinking to support patients and nursing staff. As I am a lifelong learner, I have completed my BNS, MSN/Ed, post-masters, and DNP. My most valuable training was completing my doctoral studies. What aspects of your education and training are most valuable to you in your career? The CNS optimizes patient care by working with care teams and nursing staff, educating nurses, educating patients and the families supporting and managing their conditions, analyzing data and patient care outcomes, assisting in research, bringing evidence-based practice to the bedside, creating policy that drives patient care, and implementing patient care programs. My responsibilities over a week range in a variety of functions, which is another reason why I enjoy my role. What are some of your typical responsibilities over a week? It is quite an honor to observe a new nurse with the complexities of med-surg patients grow from novice to expert. It takes skill, a strong foundation, grit, and a passion as they are building their practice and developing their critical thinking skills. This is where I had the opportunity to connect with bedside staff on med-surg units, and I was able to understand that med-surg nursing is truly a specialty. My background is mostly comprised of critical care as a staff nurse, but I would teach med-surg nursing clinicals as adjunct faculty. I have had the pleasure of working with multidisciplinary teams to provide quality care to patients through a multitude of venues. I am able to influence patient care and outcomes through three spheres of practice: patients, nurses, and the system/organization. As a clinical nurse specialist, I am seen as the clinical expert and a change agent. My current role is one of the roles I have enjoyed the most during my journey. Nursing has given me a purpose outside of myself and an amazing opportunity to connect with others compassionately during vulnerable moments. My nursing journey began over 14 years ago, following a “no” from a college advisor and a passion for medicine. Tell me a little about your current role and how you got into the field of med-surg nursing. “The best days for nursing are in front of us,” says Freeman. Above all else, she sees a positive future ahead. Freeman shared her thoughts about this nursing specialty with Minority Nurse. LaToya Freeman Shares Insights on Med-Surg Nursingīy Julia Quinn-Szcesuil | | Blog, Nursing Careers | 0 commentsĪ member of the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN), LaToya Freeman DNP, APRN, ACCNS-AG, CPPS, HNB-BC, PCCN is also a clinical nurse specialist at Michigan Medicine.
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