Advice for a new grad!

I would go to the interview for the residency program to see if you have a shot. You will probably be given 6 months of orientation, which is standard for most new grad residency programs.

Your current 6 month experience should help make the transition a little smoother. During the interview, ask what would be your home unit. I would go for Stepdown if it's an option. Less patients than Med-Surg, but more critical than Med-Surg.

If you are offered the residency job, I would contact the other place (only after you have signed the HR papers and done the drug test and given a start date) and let them know due to unforeseen circumstances, you are unable to accept their job offer.

Good luck in whatever you decide!

Yes, I would absolutely go to the interview.

IMO, you were completely cheated at your current job. It's ridiculous to only offer you 6 weeks of orientation as a new grad. I would guess that your experience in the residency program will be a VASTLY different experience, and you will probably find it quite rewarding and educational.

Good luck, regardless of what you decide to do!

Go, go, go!! Did I mention you should go??

I need some advice from experienced nurses! As a new grad I took a position on a medical floor, and I HATE it! I feel like I was sort of thrown in and still constantly feel like I know nothing. I know my floor is not a great place for a new grad, they dont ever hire new grads and I just got the standard 6 week orientation which experienced nurses get. I feel like I am drowning with 7 patients, and I often feel like I am annoying my collegues with all of my questions. I am not happy, and feel like this is not the place for me. I have been there 6 months.

I have been applying and interviewing elsewhere. Here is my big decision. I have been offered a position in a small clinic, great hours, small friendly staff and mediocre pay. I accepted the position, but dont start training until next month. ( I am replacing someone who is moving out of state)

Today I got a call for a new grad critical care residency I applied for months ago. I am really feeling like this is an opportunity I cannot pass up. Should I go interview and see how it goes? They prob won't choose me anyway. But I feel like I may regret it if I pass it up. Its just that nagging feeling that I could be shooting myself in the foot and never be able to get back into a hospital setting. And I feel like with a special new grad program, they training will be far superior to what I got and that could make all the difference.

I am just a little wary of another hospital after my current experience. If I hate med surg, will critical care be too much or is it so different it could be a better fit? I think the quality of the training will be a factor too. I hate to waste the interviewers time, and lets be honest, if they offer me the job it will be really difficult to un accept the position I just accepted.

Should I go interview and see where it goes? Or just tell them no thanks I have accepted another position?

It's not such a big deal to accept a job, and then change your mind. As long as you give the clinic notice, they should be understanding and it shouldn't affect your ability to get hired there in the future. And that's only if you like the residency program, and get an offer there. You should interview and see what you think.

This makes me nervous because I am about to start as a new grad on Med-Surg floor with 6 weeks orientation. Yikes! Any advice?

If I were in your shoes I'd at least go to the interview and see what it's like.

I was curious as to what state you are in? I would def go to the the interview for the new grad residency program...just being asked to interview is awesome...trust me I am a new grad and is having the absolute nightmare of a time trying to find any work here in California

Hi,

Just a little friendly advice from someone who has done med-surg, ER, and ICU. First, it's too early to say that you hate med-surg. Perhaps you current employer isn't giving you the training and support you need, and is throwing you into a difficult situation before you're fully prepared. That doesn't mean that you're not going to be good at it or that you're not going to enjoy it someday. I don't know how much training you received in the clinical portion of your program, but if it was anything like mine, I doubt it was much. You wouldn't send a boxer into a professional fight after just a few weeks of training, would you?

Carrying 7 med-surg patients is difficult for ANYONE, let alone a new grad. I struggled tremendously during my first year as a med-surg nurse. Do yourself a favor and go on that interview. It's all about finding a supportive environment.

This makes me nervous because I am about to start as a new grad on Med-Surg floor with 6 weeks orientation. Yikes! Any advice?

If I were in your shoes I'd at least go to the interview and see what it's like.

I only had 6 wks orientation as a new grad and I did fine. I had orientation on days, for the most part, with up to 5 pts (they couldn't give me more because then the other nurses wouldn't have had a set!). I now work nights and can handle up to 8 pts, although I prefer only 5!

Yes, go! Don't let your first experience sour you. If this is a "new grad residency program", that means they are willing to actually invest in you and your success, and the nurses there are used to and probably enjoy helping new ones learn. I'm sure your experience would be much better.

as an experienced nurse, i can tell you that you're shooting yourself in the foot if you don't stay in your first job for at least a year or two. i understand that you're scared that you know nothing, afraid you'll alienate your co-workers with all of your questions and just generally miserable, but that's part of the first year (or two) of nursing. the only way through that miserable first year is to just get through it. changing jobs only extends that learning curve and one year after graduation you're still a new grad with just six months of experience.

i'm guessing mine won't be the popular opinion, but you did ask for opinions from experienced nurses!

I would go on the interview and do my very very best. You may get it and you may not. The big decision comes when they offer you a spot...

I was curious as to what state you are in? I would def go to the the interview for the new grad residency program...just being asked to interview is awesome...trust me I am a new grad and is having the absolute nightmare of a time trying to find any work here in California

What she said!

I've applied to dozens of new grad programs, and they all had several hundred applicants for a dozen positions or less. The fact that they selected you for an interview is a huge deal. Review your critical care textbook, your notes, PowerPoints, etc, and give it 150%. Good luck!:heartbeat