I start classes next week and am taking A&P II and Micro in the Spring. I work 40 hours a week so I figured since these were such difficult classes I should take them one at a time. Once I am in the second week of Micro I can start applying to the ADN program at my school. As time gets closer I am getting more anxious and nervous about the program. I am full of excitement and can't wait to get going!! I want to be a pediatrics nurse more than anything, and the other areas of nursing don't really interest me. So my question is, how many of you got placed into your preferred field of nursing right after graduation?

I did. I applied to a large academic medical center and they asked for a list of my preferred work areas. I interviewed and was hired into a cardiac surgery stepdown (I wanted cardiac telemetry of some type.) This was in 2000 though.

If you go to big medical centers, I think you have a better shot, or if you are willing to move. Small community hospitals might not give you what you want.

I did, but it was definately a lucky chance. I applied to hundreds of positions, and the first actual interview I went on was for a position in an area that I really, really was interested in. I couldn't believe it when I actually was offered the position.

I should add that as I am a 2009 grad with full knowledge of the crappy ecomony, I was applying to any position that I could reasonably accept (I had to be able to afford childcare on the pay) in a myriad of locations ranging from clinics to hospitals to LTC's.

I was offered a job in my first choice area, tele/stepdown. Many of my classmates also got placed where they wanted to be, including ER and NICU. Sadly, one of my classmates really wanted Peds, and even worked as a tech on that floor, but wasn't hired there - they didn't have an RN spot open when we graduated. I think it's pretty much the luck of the draw.

I wanted OB more than anything... I spent 13 months on med/surg/tele floor then I was offered a chance in my specialty. It was worth the wait! Good luck to you!

I did...I was offered a job in the ER before I graduated. It's definitely not the norm to be placed in a specialty area of your first choice in this job market, I got a huge break.

It depends on your preferred area of specialty. You have less of a chance to get hired in a place like ER, ICU, peds, NICU, OR; and a better chance with Med Surg or Tele, and a slim but better prospect with maternity. Even if you do not get into peds right away taking a MedSurg job would lay a foundation that will help you for the rest of your career. The good thing about nursing is the flexibility. Once you get some experience you can go anywhere!

I hope the economy improves by the time you graduate as many anticipate it will (fingers crossed). If that occurs, opportunities will be there. However, I want to add, keep an open mind. I wanted to work only in critical care before and during school. I had a job lined up prior to graduation in an ICU. When my senior year rolled around I had the opportunity to choose my capstone in almost any setting to include the ER or ICU. Because I already had an ICU job lined up, I figured capstone would be my chance just to play in the ER and have some fun. Well, it didn't take long before I wished I'd pursued an ER job instead. Luckily, and I mean very fortunately, an opening presented itself while I was in capstone in that ER. The ICU was nice, but the ER felt like home. So my answer to your question is yes and no. Keep an open mind through your travels. I had many classmates that changed their minds based off of their school experiences. Good luck.

For some it's all about luck. Peds is VERY difficult because everyone seems to want it. Maternity it depends on the area with that too. L&D is almost impossible in some places, my friend wanted L&D but she opted for taking Mother/Baby because it was a little easier to get into than L&D. So if you can't do peds you might wanna try that if you can get your hands on it because it looks for peds.

I want my first job to be Mother/Baby, but if the economy and job prospects still suck when I graduate I'll take whatever I can. To help your prospects though, try to do an externship or preceptorship in the area. It's not guarantee but it does look nice to have it.

I was a tech on a Tele unit for 2 years prior to graduating. The only thing I had to do was the transition to RN. Most of us doing this time was able to work the units we wanted. Good luck to you.

Not me. I wanted L&D and ended up in cardiac ICU. It turned out to be a good thing, but it wasn't what I'd set out to do.

Looking back, I would have worked as a tech in my preferred unit during school. My life was already crazy full so not sure how I would have done it, but knowing what I know now I would have found a way. I'm not going into what I originally wanted but I'm just grateful I landed a position after only 2 interviews. Like someone already said, even if you don't get what you originally wanted, a year or so of experience opens many doors. I have a feeling I'm going to love this position even thought I thought I didn't want it a year ago. Who knows, I may spend my whole career there! (I start next week) Keep an open mind and fully experience each area as you go through. You might surprise yourself.

No, not even close. But I have a job, so I'm happy.