Advice to a soon be New Grad

[mudd92]

I am going to be finishing my nursing school in another 4 months. I have an interest in the Critical Care. I am at a lost of what type of position I should apply, how to choose a hospital to work, whether to choose a New Grad program. Please help. I need some advice.

Lost Mudd92

[Wren]

Mudd...congratulations on being so close to graduating!!

Try not to stress about your future job but look at what clinical rotation has "clicked" with you. Loved Rehab but hated OB-Gyn? (oh wait, that was me!), found yourself dreading the home visits but used every excuse to get to the Operating Room?

Do a little soul searching and think about what kind of job you'd like to have, not just what you think you can get. We are all different and one person's ideal job is another person's stay in hell. Once you have narrowed it down to one or two places, try to land a position in that area. If you have time, ask your professor to assist you in gaining additional time in the unit (as a student) and consider it an extended job interview! I knew in nursing school that I wanted to work in hospice or palliative care and my instructor helped me line up a week in an inpatient hospice unit that totally was not part of the curriculum....bless her!

Good luck!