New Grad First Job Question

[SanDiegoCaliRN]

Hi guys, I'm a new grad and have read along the way how important it is to career plan and to make smart career choices that'll help me to advance in my speciality of interest. Well, with as competitive as the job market is for new grads but also wanting to keep a career plan in mind, would you, as a new grad, accept any job offer in any field or speciality just to get to work and to gain some experience and start paying the bills? Or by doing so will I find myself in a rut and only marketable in that speciality area and still find it difficult to break into the speciality I'm ultimately interested in when I'm no longer a "new grad"?

Would love the opinions and advice from seasoned nurses who have had experience with changing specialities.

[NewRNinSD]

NewRNinSD, I got a job at a LTAC facility. SNF is good too though. Anything that will get ya the experience. LTACs in my area do hire new grads and I highly recommend it. If you have any near you, give it a whirl. It is really hard work because a lot of the patients are total care and the ratios can be a bit much (sometimes), but I see it all. We do med-surg, ventilator weaning, wounds that won't heal, and much more. We have a 4 bed ICU too. I would have never thought to apply here, but my uncle almost got sent here for vent weaning when he had pneumonia. That is actually how I learned of the place. I have never worked SNF, but I work with several nurses who have and they are GREAT. I like where I am at for the most part. I may have something else lined up, but even if that comes through I am hoping to stay here PRN. I have learned a lot here and they are pretty good at being patient with me! :)

Oh yeah, definitely sounds like you're building a lot of skills right there! I'm not very picky at all, so anything that gets thrown my way I'd be allover it at this point! Haha. New here in SD, military wife, and unfortunately it feels as though I'm at the worst place for being a new grad. My husband is medical in the military and in his last duty station, the big boss was handing medical jobs to military spouses before going external. Tomorrow's another day though! I really appreciate your advice! :)

[Lifeofanurse]

I'm a new grad LVN. I've applied for everything within a 50 mile radius of my house and not even ONE call.

I am about to print a bunch of resumes and generalized cover letters and begin walking them in every dr. office, clinic and rehab in my area and PRAY somone one...any one....will give me a job.