A question for all managers and recruiters for New Grad porgrams!!!!

redwinggirlie · Apr 25, 2005

Couldn't you use your skills as an RN in the Peace Corps? Regardless, if it is something you want to do, go for it.

ERNurse752, RN · Apr 25, 2005

I don't think it would hurt you. I think it would actually be viewed as a positive, since it demonstrates your desire to help people and make a difference.

If it's something you really want to do, do it...because you'll regret it forever if you don't! :)

mydesygn · Apr 25, 2005

I am currently finishing up my ADN program and will officially be an RN by the end of this year. I live in california and know that I won't have too much trouble finding a new grad job right now due to the severe nursing shortage. However, recently I have decided that this would be the last opportunity in my life to realize my dream of joining the Peace Corps. My concern is that upon return getting a job will be much harder than right out of school. While the Peace Corps will probably provide me with a lot of different, wonderful experiences, I fear that hospital management and recruiters might be sceptical of hiring someone with a degree which was not used for 2 years in the traditional sense of the word.
If you are someone who has hired RN's into a hospital before, I would love to hear what you have to say about this. What concerns would you have if you were to view my application 2 years down the road? Would volunteering in the Peace Corps be seen as a positive or negative quality in an applicant? Is there any advice you have on the matter?
Thanks so much for your time. I look forward to reading your comments.
Jonathan

I would see it as a positive, but in terms of orientation. I would pay you and orient you as I would a new grad even though you had 2 years in the Peace Corp. I don't see it as problem at all.

PedsERRN · Apr 25, 2005

Have you considered using your RN for something similar? Doctors without Borders or the like? You could get a similar experience and be marketable when you return.

JonathanRN · Apr 25, 2005

Thank you so much for all your replies. I really appreciate your input. The reason I'm not considering anything like Doctors without Borders, but am only interested in the Peace Corps is because other travel volunteer/work organizations require more experience than a new grad can provide. Also, the peace corps accepts applications from married couples and will allow my girlfriend and I to do this together. Having an experience of a lifetime, like the Peace Corps, together will allow us to grow stronger and not further apart as I would imagine many travel nurses would from their spouses at home.

If any of you out there have been in the Peace Corps... i woulde love to hear from you!!!

Looking forward to reading any comments you may have on both issues.

Jonathan

kitty=^..^=cat · Apr 25, 2005

I worked with an RN-MSN that had done several years with Peace Corps in Paraguay a few years back. She had never worked a nursing position before, and it wasn't an issue. She was a great nurse, flexible and versatile -- she spoke fluent Spanish, which was definitely a positive, and was a very interesting co-worker to have.

I say "Go for it" -- I don't see that fulfilling a dream like that would hold you back in any way whatsoever.

Good Luck!!!

=^..^=

TLR03 · Apr 29, 2005

Hi Jonathan,

I actually lived away from my now husband for two years while I served in the Peace Corps and he finished medical school. I think we actually grew closer to one another during that time because we had to communicate through the written word.

Do you and your girlfriend plan to marry before you apply for PC? Just wanted to let you know that I don't believe they will place you together unless you are actually married. We had several married couples in Nepal with us. They all had some pretty cool posts!

Good luck!