Are outpatient settings off limits without experience?

llg, PhD, RN · Dec 15, 2004

Your LPN experience may help you get an outpatient job as a new grad. It is usually difficult to get such a job as a new grad for a couple of reasons. (1) Because many people like the hours, the best places to work receive several applicants for each job opening. You will be competing against experienced RN's. (2) In many outpatient departments, clinics, offices, etc. the RN is the leader of the team who coordinates the other members of the staff. For that type of functioning, experience is necessary. (3) In many outpatient departments, clinics, offices, etc. the RN would be expected to be a leader in handling all the most difficult cases, emergencies, etc. Once again, that high level of functioning usually requires experience.

As I said, your LPN experience may help you and give you an edge over other new grads, but be prepared for the possibility that you will need to get some RN experience before you can get a job that involves leading a team in an outpatient setting.

Good luck,

llg

poodlelover · Feb 22, 2005

I've heard of new grads going straight to ER, OR, the units, even dialysis.
Is it impossible to get a job in something like outpatient oncology or outpatient surgery without prior in-hospital experience in those areas?
Early in my career, I had med/surg experience as an LPN. Now, am returning to nursing ( after an absence) as RN and don't want to go the med/surg route. I had enough of running around the floors and still have a neuroma on foot from my running the hall days ( I think that's where it came from).
I'm not young either.
It just seems to me like the happiest nurses are those who specialize. I just want to be happy with my work and of course would like great hours ( but that may be a fantasy I know). I did not feel a tremendous satisfaction in being pulled (sometimes literally) in a hundred directions. Although I can multi task (what mom can't) I don't know if I could do it for 12 hours continuosly.
This is so dang frustrating to find myself at this age and still not knowing what I want to do). Boy sometimes reading these threads I could cringe at what RN's are experiencing on the floors, much like my PN days but with so much more responsibility and no auxiliary help. I'm old enough to remember transport orderlies but even they didn't have a long career. I have tried a few other occupations but none pay the bills very well.
It would be nice to follow some specialities around for a day or two to help me discern. I am both attracted to and terrified of ER nursing.
Too young for the pasture

Why don't you see what is available for actually doing some "shadowing" then. You will never know if you don't try. Starting a new job or speciality area is sometimes difficult and you have to be willing to give yourself time to learn. If other nurses give you a hard time, they probably weren't any better than you were. It takes time to gain experience. Just keep applying and in the mean time think about some courses that may show your committment to the area that interests you. One thing at our hospital is that education is looked upon very favourably. I came from a nursing home to a hospital and I work in specialty, renal dialysis. Sometimes just applying at the right time can be helpfull. Get a professional to do your resume and cover letter if necessary. Make it known who you are and that you are interested. Sometimes courses may have a clinical component which would give you some time in the area. Then you can decide if you like it and they will meet you which will give you a bit of an edge when they see your resume. You can say you have some experience.

payday · Feb 22, 2005

Why don't you see what is available for actually doing some "shadowing" then. You will never know if you don't try. Starting a new job or speciality area is sometimes difficult and you have to be willing to give yourself time to learn. If other nurses give you a hard time, they probably weren't any better than you were. It takes time to gain experience. Just keep applying and in the mean time think about some courses that may show your committment to the area that interests you. One thing at our hospital is that education is looked upon very favourably. I came from a nursing home to a hospital and I work in specialty, renal dialysis. Sometimes just applying at the right time can be helpfull. Get a professional to do your resume and cover letter if necessary. Make it known who you are and that you are interested. Sometimes courses may have a clinical component which would give you some time in the area. Then you can decide if you like it and they will meet you which will give you a bit of an edge when they see your resume. You can say you have some experience.

thanks, that's excellent advice.