[mammaoftwo]

Out of curosity, what type of jobs would be available for a new RN graduate with an Associates Degree in nursing?

Would you be able to go into Peds or OB? Or, would you have to work med-surg first?

I have several classmates that are already in the LPN program at school that are wanting to bridge over almost as soon as they finish the LPN for the Rn and we were talking about jobs for new RN graduates.

Many thanks for your replies and blessings to all.

[krazy_coconuts]

You can pretty much do anything as a new RN. I know a lot of places prefer you to have experience in a med/surg setting, but at the hospital where I work they offer new grad residency programs where you can be trained to work in pretty much any area- including the ER, ICU, OR, etc. I think it just depends on where you work.

[StudyingNursing]

I graduated with an ADN in May '06, and began a fellowship in L&D in June '06 at a high-volume hospital. I had 16 weeks of classroom and preceptorship/on unit training, and now am a floor nurse in L&D. Just talk to recruiters to see if they offer fellowships or training for new grads -- you may be surprised at what jobs are out there for new grads.

[mom2michael]

Find an area of interest and then go for it. Don't settle because you think you have to. If you want a year of experience in M/S, go for it. If L&D is more up your alley - go for it.

I settled and I lasted 2 months on a M/S floor and hated every single second I was there......I'm now back in the ER and I love it.

[TazziRN]

You can do anything a facility is willing to train you to do. Many places allow you to go straight into a critical specialty unit but some require medsurg experience first. It's all up to the facility.

[irisRN]

You can do anything a facility is willing to train you to do. Many places allow you to go straight into a critical specialty unit but some require medsurg experience first. It's all up to the facility.

Yep, this is totally true. You will have to do the research, but you will find that lots of hospitals are now having "new grad internships" for a particular field in nursing.

I graduated this past December with an ADN, and I start my new grad internship in the pediatric cardiac ICU in 2 weeks. This particular hospital will train me for 1 year, classroom and bedside. if you want it, go for it!