Advise Needed

[pattymwrn]

Hi,

I just graduated with a BSN last week!! I am 54 yrs. old, this is a second career for me. The one I've always wanted!! I want to work in an acute care facility but am afraid I will not be able to manage a job where patient ratios are on average 1:8 (more or less). Most of the younger RNs I've talked to say they have a difficult time managing.I am not in the greatest of shape,physically! I thought maybe I should apply for an ICU or stepdown unit position where the patient ratio isn't so high, but as a new graduate I know I need to work on my skills. My heart lies in the NICU but once again as a new grad I don't what my chanches of obtaining a position there are. I guess I just need abit of advise. I'm feeling very "old". I worked so hard in school and graduated with high honors but now don't seem to know where I can fit in. Any advise would be appreciated.

THANKS....Pat:uhoh3:

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

First (the biggie) CONGRATULATIONS! This is a wonderful accomplishment. Now - as to what jobs are available - I would apply for those you want and go from there. I am almost 48 and went back to school so that as I got older I would have more options. Many, many hospitals take new grads to the NICU - if that is what you want - go for it! Otherwise, if an adult or peds ICU is what you want - do that. Don't let what "other people" tell you, be the gospel. Many times they are uninformed or just plain wrong. Plus - what a hospital was doing last year with regards to where they would put new grads might have changed drastically this year. Go for it!

Take care and let us know how you are doing.