did any new grads go straight to community health care

BreezieRN · Jul 25, 2007

Congrats new RN!! I worked in the hospital while in school, but once I passed my boards I moved to the outpatient setting. I LOVED It. Go for it!!

Liambada · Jul 29, 2007

Congrats!I'm in the same boat as you. Once I passed boards I've accepted an OR position. Be prepared to have some people being a little snarky with you. Youll hear all about how you should have spent X years in med surg (like they had to) or ICU(like someone told them to) before entering practice. I am not one to discount the importance of good nursing skills, but lets face it. If it is something you truly have a passion for, know its for you, and know youll be wonderful at it, then why the hell not!?! Let all of them choke on their sour grapes!Good Luck!

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jul 31, 2007

I am an LPN that began working in a clinic as soon as I got my license. What I am planning to do, though, is to work per diem on the med-surg unit in the hospital I work in. I did 6 weeks of med-surg when I first started as a nurse, but was sent to my assignment in the clinic. I do not regret it and I do not plan to leave ambulatory care. I get weekends and holidays off; decent hours. I obtained some of my skills doing home care, and will obtain more when I go to per diem med-surg. Do what makes you happy. These days, med-surg is not a requirement to be a qualified nurse.

SoundofMusic · Aug 3, 2007

I think it's all about what you feel will make you happy. I just completed my community health clinical (and just graduated yesterday!); and I have never seen a happier group of nurses in one place. No, they are not paid as high, nor do they utilize the same clinical skills, but what they do is important to preventing disease in the greater community. All of them had tried hospital nursing and hated it, and now they love what they're doing. We also had certain people in our class who seemed to have that calling for community health, and no one thought anything less of them. If it's your calling, then go for it.

Come to think of it, those community health nurses had nice little cubicles also ...the best of both worlds. I know that in hospital nursing, it will be tough not to have any sort of personal space at work.

I'm sure with advanced schooling, there is no limit to how far you can go in the community health area. I myself might look into it someday, but I do want to get my clinical skills down pat first. I like the idea of working part-time in a clinical position and combine that with community health.

I was treated the BEST as a student by the community health nurses by far. The hospital nurses, well, they are a stressed out bunch and were not about to be too kind to me as a student.

Nurseismade RN · Aug 4, 2007

"I have never seen a happier group of nurses in one place. No, they are not paid as high, nor do they utilize the same clinical skills, but what they do is important to preventing disease in the greater community. All of them had tried hospital nursing and hated it, and now they love what they're doing. We also had certain people in our class who seemed to have that calling for community health, and no one thought anything less of them. If it's your calling, then go for it." quote by SoundofMusic

You are so on the money with this..and funny....I agree with your above post. When I did my OB clinicals in this health center...I noticed what you said, i agree...the nurses were so happy and stress free, they had a full hour for lunch, and no where to be found...some went shopping as it is next to the "t":lol2: . The nurses I worked with went straight from college to community health........and did not regret it.... One nurse said because she had teenage girls and she wanted a schedule where she would not have to work overnight and late evenings so for her it was a no brainer. This health center hires new grads but most do not....So I have decided to take their offer. I will start at $26 per hour which is not too bad. One hospital offered me $25 to start but more with differentials for nights and evenings, and weekends. But with a lot of headaches and stress for a new grad...(in my opinion). I looked at the nurses and I give them their props....they work so hard. They eat their lunches right in the units.....they do not get even an hour for lunch....and their lunch is always interrupted by the CNA's.

shmoofins · Aug 11, 2007

I'm a new grad too and I just started working in the hospital. It's so stressful, and I would love to do some kind of nursing outside of the hospital. What sorts of community Nursing Jobs are out there and how do you get them? I'm already getting burnt out on this hospital stuff, but I don't know what else I would do.

Nurseismade RN · Aug 11, 2007

I'm a new grad too and I just started working in the hospital. It's so stressful, and I would love to do some kind of nursing outside of the hospital. What sorts of community nursing jobs are out there and how do you get them? I'm already getting burnt out on this hospital stuff, but I don't know what else I would do.

I would google all the community health centers in your area.....and make a day of visiting them and dropping off your resume.

Pbelle · Aug 11, 2007

Good for you! You need to follow your heart, and go where you think you'll be happiest! I've been working in a hospital for 6 months now, and am looking for a job outside of that setting - I've found that I'm not a 'hospital nurse' - really miss being able to spend the time working with my patients and teaching them, like I was able to when I worked in a GI practice. And as another poster mentioned, I have two kids as well that are starting high school/middle school, and they need me around more than ever now.

Good luck, let us know how/where you land!:balloons:

Nurseismade RN · Sep 23, 2007

Good for you! You need to follow your heart, and go where you think you'll be happiest! I've been working in a hospital for 6 months now, and am looking for a job outside of that setting - I've found that I'm not a 'hospital nurse' - really miss being able to spend the time working with my patients and teaching them, like I was able to when I worked in a GI practice. And as another poster mentioned, I have two kids as well that are starting high school/middle school, and they need me around more than ever now.
Good luck, let us know how/where you land!:balloons:

I thanked you Pbelle because I am a new grad working in a community heath center, and even though I like it...was still deciding if I should venture out for a hospital position...your last two lines about being there for your kids, struck me as to why I even took the job....so that I too can be there for my daughter who is in high school....they do need us more than ever at this stage.....

Pbelle · Sep 24, 2007

I left the tele unit in late August, and am now working from home doing health history and MCAS (Minnesota Cognitive Assessments) from home for Nation's CareLink, and am much happier and very much less stressed out. No nights/weekends/holidays, and the most important part is that I'm home when the girls go off to school, and when they come home. My whole family is much happier, and even though I took a cut in pay, it's been well worth it!:balloons:

t.adamson · Jun 9, 2011

Correctional Facility is not so bad:) You work with a lot of nurses. ie 6 Nurses in Medical Unit. It's a glorified clinic during the day and at night you respond to medical emergencies in a 2200 inmate prison. Not bad imo. RN start pay around $4300 a month not including shift differential and weekends.