So I graduated May 2009 and my first real RN job right now is in Home care. I am just wondering if this job is considered as "experience" since it's not in a hospital. I've applied to pretty much all the hospitals in my area, but this is the only place that's offered me a job. The hospitals here require 1 year experience. If I do this for a year, would I be a more competitive candidate in the future if i apply again to hospitals?

Usually home health is not a good place to start because you are IT and need excellent assessment skills which are only picked up through experience such as hospitals.

Usually home health is not a good place to start because you are IT and need excellent assessment skills which are only picked up through experience such as hospitals.

I would agree, since home care is more the RN is on his/her own

Unless you were formerly an LPN/LVN with prior nursing experience, I'd be wary about taking on home health as a new grad job. Like everyone's said, you're on your own when you're out there.

I am highly trained before entering the field and in close contact with other nurses. I've advocated a lot so far for patients and I'd say I'm doing a pretty good job as a new grad nurse in home care. Like I mentioned before the job market is not promising here in Hawaii. My question wasn't whether or not home care was a good job to start.. I really didn't have the choice and didn't have the luxury to pick and choose what I wanted to start off with. It was if it was considered me getting experience for hospital jobs if I apply again since hospital jobs here would rather have experienced nurses.

I have no personal experience with this, but I know there have been some threads here in the past with people who had been in home health for a while complaining that they couldn't get jobs in hospitals because their home health experience wasn't taken seriously by hospital employers. Maybe someone who actually has been in that situation will come along.

Of course, right now employers can afford to be extremely picky -- that may change if/when the employment situation improves.

Thanks for the heads up elkpark! =)

Hey, I am in the same boat. I am new grad. After some hard work, I have been able to get my first job in an assissted living home as an RN. I like it, but its really not much of a nursing job. All you do it pass meds, do some, I would say very few assessments, some wound care, and a lot of documentation. Now, what I will tell you what an Army Nursing recruiter told me, that even a hospice or asissted living home job it is considered med-surge experience. So anything you do will help and should go on your resume. However, you should do what I did, don't give up and keep looking for a job in a Hospital. I applied to every hospital in my are. There are about 20 (give or take) of them around here. I applied even if they were not taking apps from new grads. Not only I applied but I applied serveral times and for several different units in different times though. After applying you can't give up and sit to wait for their answer. I went to many of these hospital in person and saw their nurse recruiters. I even begged to some of them for a job. I was there so many times that some of them got to know me and promised that they will do what ever they can. Now, finally one of them called me last week and said there is an opening on the stroke unit. He told me that he is not sure that the nurse manager will hire a new grade but I have said good words for you and she has agreed to interview you. I had my interview last Monday, it went great. I had a good time. I was honest, thurthful, and confident. She called me the next day to come and shadow a nurese. I went and shadow a nurse today. She verbally told me that there are 3 slots open now, and she will let the recruiter now before Friday which one of these slots is suitable for me. In other words, she told me that I almost have the job. I think I do. Long story short, dont give up and wait for a year to pass by. Keep trying and keep trying, you will get a job in the hospital. GOOD LUCK!

Augustboy, that was seriously refreshing to read. thanks for the reply!

Thanks, and keep it up. You will and can do it.