options after graduation

Fiona59 · Oct 3, 2009

In the current economy not much. You might find a management type position in a LTC but even then push come to shove you will be expected to pull an assignment.

Public Health jobs are usually seniority based and a lot of "mature" floor nurses are now applying for those lines.

You might find some hours from a private agency for immunization clinics. You have to bear in mind that many of the jobs such as doing physicals for private companies are part time at best, often involve a lot of travelling.

There is always the prisons but they have a limited number of slots but then again you will eventually have to deal with injuries and not just physicals and meds

You don't have the required experience to be an educator in the hospitals, at the colleges/unis, or even as a nurse/trainer for an agency.

In the harsh reality of the world there just aren't that many jobs out there in for nurses with no hospital experience behind them.

Depending on how far into your programme you are, you might want to reconsider nursing as a career.

RGN1 · Oct 3, 2009

If you don't want to nurse then change your degree, period.

IMO you need floor experience to learn about the job, about caring for pts, about what nursing truly involves. It would be wrong to go straight to management (even if you could) without knowing what it's like on the floor as you would have no idea & that could lead to poor decisions or friction with staff. Many of us here have had experience with poor managers who just don't get it because they've never done it. Case in point Dr Duck-it himself!! :-D

There's no point nursing if you don't want to do the job, that just ultimately results in poor care. Plus, if you're not enjoying your work it's stressful for you too.

palmpalm · Oct 3, 2009

I was under the impression that I could work in private clinics/offices, in research, in public health, etc., etc. Am I mistaken?

5cats · Oct 3, 2009

For many positions experience is an entry requirement, other options as stated before are very limited. Bedsite nurses are still the ones that are mostly needed. If you don't like nursing go a different route, nothing wrong with it.

5cats

petgroomer · Oct 3, 2009

Some universities offering masters in Epidemiology and/or Statistics accept applicants with a BSN. After that you could apply for a job with the feds (or that I was told). IDK how that could work for you, probably this is more of an option if you're willing to relocate to Ottawa. Besides, I doubt they'll be plenty of jobs of this kind. Anyone correct me if I'm wrong.

BTW, think twice before going back to school and make sure you like what you're about to study; I wouldn't go into any masters degree if I didn't like it.

Fiona59 · Oct 3, 2009

I was under the impression that I could work in private clinics/offices, in research, in public health, etc., etc. Am I mistaken?

Well, like we've all said EXPERIENCE is required for all of these jobs. Public Health, you need seniority within the system of the region that you work in. Private clinics want experienced nurses. Office nurse jobs are few and far between and usually filled (at least in my province) by LPNs. Research, doubt there are many positions available for a new grad with no clinical experience.

Nursing needs experience. You need to pay your dues, serve your time, suck the floor work to get the job of your dream. After nearly ten years, I'm almost at the point where I can apply for public health jobs due to seniority. :banghead:

linzz · Oct 3, 2009

Many of these jobs that don't require hands on nursing require clinical judgement that can only be obtained with experience, not just school, no matter what the school tries to tell you. Often you may be the only RN and you will be expected to make a quick and accurate assessment of what a patient needs and report it to a Doctor before any harm comes to the patient. Being in a position where you have no support from more experienced nurses will leave you with anxiety beyond your wildest dreams.

Bedside nursing is tough but the experience will leave with an ability to practise safely which will in turn keep you out of trouble with the your employer and your local college of nurses.

loriangel14, RN · Oct 3, 2009

I will echo what the others have said. Floor nursing is at the core of your foundation as a nurse. There is no replacement for experience and you need that experience to rely on when called upon to make an assessment or crucial decision. Providing care for patients is one of the chief functions of a nurse. If you think you won't like that then perhaps this isn't for you. If you do not truly enjoy pt care it will show. Don't feel bad if you decide not to follow this path. It is not for everyone and you are wise to be asking questions now.