Advice on Starting out

[akevghas]

Hello Everyone,

I am a new registered nurse who just graduated in May and passed my NCLEX in June. I am looking for some advice from some experienced nurses.

I am hoping to get into a NICU eventually, though I know it can be difficult to get into pediatrics in the hospital as a new grad. I have the possibility of working at a local Community Health Clinic in their pediatrics department, which seems like a great place to get started, but I am concerned that starting in an outpatient facility such as this would make it more difficult to get into an inpatient facility in the future.

I looking for advice on whether I should take the job to get the experience, or to hold out and look for an inpatient hospital job.

Any advice I can get is greatly appreciated.

Thank you!!!

Halie

[CocoaLoverFNP]

Hi Halie,

Depending on where you live, RN jobs for new grads may be difficult to have. ICU, ER, or any hospital job may also be highly-competitive. Some RNs I know would still work as a CNA while waiting for a hospital to give them a chance. I honestly think that that is a waste of having their RN license.

If I were in your shoes, I will apply to both inpatient and outpatient settings. Then, if I get a hospital job, then great! However, if any hospital won't give me a chance at this time, I would take a position at the community. You still would learn A LOT! I love the communities.

Then while working at the community, I would try to look for a job that I would really want to have as my stepping stone for the NICU. In the mean time, you will get that new grad experience. Someone out there will give you a chance.... Just keep looking. Any RN experience is considered experience.

Best of luck!