bariatric nursing a good job?

1 I have an interview to work on a bariatric surgical floor (not the OR itself) on Thursday. I'd never considered bariatric - I'm trying to get back home to my home city, so I've been applying everywhere there. My dream job is ICU or stepdown or ER, maybe OR or PACU; unfortunately, it looks like most of those jobs require experience, so I'm thinking of getting a med-surg job (as my first job, I've worked 2 years on nights on a post-orthopedic surgical/med-surg floor), working it for maybe a year, and then trying to do an internal transfer to more critical care.

Can anyone tell me about bariatric nursing? I've read a little about it here, and a few themes came up: 1) lots of physical work (I'm used to turning Pts and helping them ambulate after hip/knee surgery, but they're usually <200/250 pounds); 2) "mental/emotional" issues (I like helping people, but I don't really like a bunch of anxiety or whining or people who won't participate in their own care; 3) lots of possible post-op complications, like hernias, DVT's, PE's, electrolyte imbalances, maybe respiratory issues (I actually kind of look forward to that, as I'd like to do something a little more fun and challenging than orthopedic surgery, and abdominal surgery sounds like it opens the door for more critical issues). Probably also I would get more comorbidities - e.g., DM, HTN, heart disease, maybe heart failure (ortho Pts tend to be a bit healthier than the Pts on more general med-surg floors), which would also be good. I also enjoy educating, and I think I read that that happens with bariatric patients.

What kind of age group is it?? I'm thinking probably middle-aged? I do prefer younger or middle-aged.

More men or women? (Middle-aged/early elderly whiny anxious neurotic women who won't lift a hand for themselves -- not saying that statement represents bari Pts, because I don't know, I'm just saying that I don't like the little sub-demographic of "Entitled Helpless usually-female aged 40-70 Pt" -- are my bane.)

How do the Patients feel, emotionally? Are they glad that they're doing this, and excited about a new step in their lives?

Is it emotionally satisfying? Do you see the fruits of your labor? (One of the things I like about ortho nursing is seeing the Pt work and get stronger.)
Do the Pts tend to come back for surgical revisions or new surgeries, or is it a one-time deal?

I'm kind of wondering if I should take the job (if they offer it) or keep searching for something "better." It is a good hospital (I went to school there) with one of the best reputations in the city, and maybe I should just take it, get some knowledge/skills out of it and appreciate it for what it is, and then try to internally transfer within a year.
Hope I didn't offend anyone; thanks for any replies in advance.
i don't work bariatrics, but i've had those patients and gotten them in to the bariatric service for surgery, so i'm familiar. you can lose the whiny-middle-aged-patient stereotype right now: to have this surgery they have pretty much come to the end of their rope, physically, and they know it. they almost always have to have lost at least 50 lbs before they have the surgery, to shrink the liver to decrease intraop complications, and that takes work and focus. they will start losing weight in their first few days, which is very reinforcing for them, and that makes it easier to focus on progress. i think you'll find less whining than you think.
sounds horrible
I did a clinical on a bariatric floor. It was a very happy floor filled with optimistic patients. They felt that they were finally getting the tool that would help to drastically change their lives. I would love to work on a bariatric floor but in my area they are hard to get on.
All patient populations (unless NICU, then u have parents), have whiney, obese, pts "tat don't care about themselves". Including critical care. You have not seen whiney until you have seen a 40 year old male CABG pt who is a smoker. Who has to be on q 1 hour accuchecks and has to cough and deep breath. And, God Forbid, GET UP AND MOVE (honey, I just had HEART SURGERY)... But, I'm sure some of the nurses who can't even get an interview would LOVE it if you chose to wait.
I was pulled to our bariatric unit once. Our unit is known as a cushy, low stress job. The patients are for the most part positive and hard working. They have to do laps around the unit post op and compete with and support each other. No whiners on my day. Our only bariatric surgeon does laparoscopic surgery and complications are almost nil. He's an excellent surgeon, so not too much excitement there. A LOT of the quality of the patient outcomes depends on the skill and discretion of your surgeons.Good luck, if you decide to go for it!
I work on a med surg floor and we have the bariatric pts post op. Our MDs require them to walk the halls every 2 hrs. They're even supposed to walk from the stretcher to the bed as soon as they get back from the PACU. These pts are NOT total care, turn-every-2- hours patients. They are very educated pre-op and know what to expect before and after surgery. Theyre on a strict diet (sometimes NPO, sometimes clear liquids depending on what surgery). But they already know this and understand the importance of it. It's very important to prevent nausea and vomiting in these patients. Our pts are on remote telemetry monitor for the first day. The incisions are usually laproscopic, which reduces infection and bleeding risk. Some patients do have comorbidities like HTN, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Overall, these patients aren't critically sick. They have many of the same risks of any post op patients. They usually only stay a couple of days. The patients are happy to help themselves and be as independent as they can. This is something they have been wanting and they are hopefully for their future.
My first thought when I read bariatrics was "Eww...no thanks." I've never done it. Looks like my thought was wrong! Glad to hear that these patients are so positive and motivated.
Let me tell you a story.I used to work with a plastic surgeon, who did this kind of surgery on these types of people (he eventually went into another specialty within plastics though).To make a long story short, he had a very, VERY whiny female having surgery done to make her stomach smaller, & he found out afterwards her family/friends had snuck in a blender & were blending up mars bars and chocolate for her to drink thru a straw. He told me he absolutely lost it, cos this girl had been seeing him for like a year, begging for this surgery (another long story).I have found bariatric patients very demanding myself - they will give you a whole long list of excuses as to why they are overweight, and they will never stop telling you. You have to be reslient and quite firm with them. For example, getting them to move across the bed to pick up a magazine - make them do things, don't run around after them. They can be selfish, greedy and have a very much 'me, me' mentality. I equate caring for these types of patients to two year olds. Most often they're non-complain with meds, don't take their insulin/diabetic meds, etc. And getting them to move even a little in bed after surgery was a nightmare - we had one woman with back pain (of many years standing) who refused to even use a bedpan & would just defecate the bed constantly. All she wanted was pain killers all the time; she would not do one thing to help herself - & she'd been seen by acute pain service, the psychiatrist; by everybody.So yes there will be a lot of mentally and emotionally demanding patients.But I don't see a dilmma here: just take the job for a year & see how you go. Then 6 months in, if u can't handle it apply for other jobs.I would shudder to work with these patients; it's not my thing at all.
I actually work SICU, and we get the occasional bariatric patient. This patient population is prone to post-op complications, so learn to be assertive with getting out of bed, pulmonary toilet and other post operative treatments.
Quote from NursejessmI work on a med surg floor and we have the bariatric pts post op. Our MDs require them to walk the halls every 2 hrs. They're even supposed to walk from the stretcher to the bed as soon as they get back from the PACU. These pts are NOT total care, turn-every-2- hours patients. They are very educated pre-op and know what to expect before and after surgery. Theyre on a strict diet (sometimes NPO, sometimes clear liquids depending on what surgery). But they already know this and understand the importance of it. It's very important to prevent nausea and vomiting in these patients. Our pts are on remote telemetry monitor for the first day. The incisions are usually laproscopic, which reduces infection and bleeding risk. Some patients do have comorbidities like HTN, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Overall, these patients aren't critically sick. They have many of the same risks of any post op patients. They usually only stay a couple of days. The patients are happy to help themselves and be as independent as they can. This is something they have been wanting and they are hopefully for their future.
If were talking gastric bypass....those are my easy peasy pts...they are up walking day of surgery. and walking the halls independently the next day. Its an elective surgery so they have to be in somewhat decent health and to have had counseling before hand. Try not to stereotype based on weight a lone. I have been guilty of it too but many of my bariatric pts can walk move , shower independently ect..... Good luck!
Your experience will depend on the hospital and the surgeons - I've worked Bari at two hospitals. Hospital A had a very selective screening process - low risk only, thorough psych eval. Patients were motivated, prepared, many knew each other from the support groups, it was a positive, even joyous floor to work. 85% of patients had strong family / friend supporters who were a joy to have around and truly supportive. Only complaint is that the nature of the work was somewhat monotonous. Hospital B was less selective and seemed to be in it for the money. Higher risk patients, psych issues, lots of complications. Not so positive. "Difficult" patients, "demanding" (and I can't really say it's the fault of the patient!). Patients were not prepared or screened as well for the surgery. So make sure to research their bariatric program and screening - that would be the key. Best of luck!