what specialties do new grads typically start out in?

anon456, BSN, RN · May 19, 2013

I started out Peds ICU- decided it was not where I was meant to be- switched to peds pulmonary/cardiac/step-down and love it. Mostly I love it because of great co-workers.

It took me 5 mos to get a job though.

NurseOnAMotorcycle, ASN, RN · May 19, 2013

Not all markets are glutted and subject to desperation jobs.

If you have a choice, then congrats!! Lately most people don't.

VANurse2010 · May 20, 2013

I wouldn't necessarily ay I have the job I absolutely want, but in my area if you can't get a job as an RN you have a serious, serious issue. At the bare minimum you can walk into any nursing home and be hired practically on the spot. LTC isn't for everyone, but I am not above pushing pills in LTC and at least I know I'll never starve. That actually helps a lot in an at-will state with the current employer.

calivianya, BSN, RN · May 20, 2013

I'm starting off in a Medical ICU. A lot of my classmates have landed the specialty of our choice, but the school I went to is very highly respected in my area so I am unsurprised. Most of the classmates I've heard from so far have jobs at their first choice hospitals, but I was not lucky enough to get my first choice so I am relocating. At least I got my first choice of unit!

born2circulateRN · May 20, 2013

Depends on your location. Some start where they want --and some start in LTC or med-surg as one of the PPs stated. There are hospitals that will offer residency and internship programs for new graduates. However, I did not get in an official residency program - but I did get a 3 month orientation. I was hired at a LTACH which is like critical care/med-surg for my first job. It was my first and only offer, and I didn't want to be to picky and be without a job for God knows how long. It's been about 8 months now - I've been blessed with a great opportunity to get into a specialty of my choice. I start this summer.

Good Luck!

PA_RN87, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN · May 21, 2013

I graduated in December and passed my NCLEX in February. I applied to jobs everywhere within a 100 mile radius, and I got one interview which led to an offer. So now I work in a medical-oncology unit!

LifesAJourney · May 21, 2013

Anywhere that has openings and willing to hire new grads! I myself got hired into our CTICU during my senior practicum. My classmates got hired into the ER, Peds, various ICUs or Med/surg before graduation. A few of us already work in the hospital as techs/cnas which helps. However, we have a 5 week senior practicum to complete before graduation in the area of your choice. A lot of students get jobs where they did their practicum in.

SNB1014, RN · May 22, 2013

based upon my fellow alumni in may 2012, vast majority went into med/surg or tele. mostly tele. like 3 perhaps went er, maybe 10 went into some type of "womens/baby", 2 went into icu, one went into wound care.

any smart new grad will tell you that they took what was offered. and the majority had to work nights. i work days, and i got lucky.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · May 27, 2013

I wouldn't necessarily ay I have the job I absolutely want, but in my area if you can't get a job as an RN you have a serious, serious issue. At the bare minimum you can walk into any nursing home and be hired practically on the spot. LTC isn't for everyone, but I am not above pushing pills in LTC and at least I know I'll never starve. That actually helps a lot in an at-will state with the current employer.

Here in CA, new grads are being turned away from LTC/SNF/nursing homes because these facilities are now demanding a year's experience. It's not as easy as it used to be.

JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN · May 28, 2013

I recently started in pediatrics (4 months) - school nursing, though, not hospital nursing. It was what I actively pursued due to my love of community-based nursing and the academic setting. I'm an odd-ball, though, as I can't see myself working on a floor in a hospital.

But it not for everyone, especially new grads! I was lucky to work as a sub first with two great school nurses who trained me in the basics; most of time there you get thrown in, no training, with no one but yourself to consult with most of the time.