As a new graduate, must I work in a hospital?

[rebecpar]

I'll be a new grad a year from now...I am starting my last year of nursing school in September. With three children, I am getting nervous about the prospect of working in a hospital as a new graduate and being required to work a lot of shifts, overtime, etc. However, most experienced nurses I speak to say that the best way to start off as a nurse is to start in a hospital for the experience. Is this true? Are there any new grads out there who start off doing something different, like working in a clinic or office? Also, is it possible as a new nurse to work per diem? I am starting a career in nursing not because I need the money or benefits, but because I love to care for people and I need the intellectual stimulation. For these reason I don't want to give up a majority of time to the career while my children are small (they are 6, 4, and 6 weeks old).

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

It depends on what you want to do and what you envision doing with your career. If don't envision working in a hospital why torture yourself. If new grads are hired in an evironment that you're interested in then don't do hospital work. Sometimes those jobs are hard to come by because of the hours and they require experience, and they usually don't have programs for new grad orientation, like hospitals who give you sometimes up to three months. But if you can bide your time waiting for the right job, it just might happen.

If you think you might want to work in a hospital when your kids are grown, you might find that difficult.

Good luck.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I totally agree with Tweety. IMHO, it is better to have some form of acute care experience because it is in this arena that most experience is counted. The hospitals usually provide a well-structured orientation period and in your first year it is important to develop your critical thinking and time management and prioritization skills (though with children, I'm sure you are well on your way - lol).

[llg, PhD, RN]

A lot depends on where you live and what type of work you want to do. In some regions, it is almost impossible for a new grad to find a job outside of a hospital. The offices, clinics, etc. don't want to invest the time and money to train a new grad (which can easily run $10,000 - $20,000 per person) and want to hire only experienced RN's who can handle the responsibilities of being the office/clinic team leader, take charge in emergency situations, be a resource for the medical assistants and LPN's, etc.

Also, some offices/clinics have the luxury of choosing among several applicants for each job because they offer attractive working hours. Such places are more likely to select experienced RN's for all the reasons I listed above.

Of course, there are exceptions to this -- and if you live in a region with lots of opportunities, you might get lucky and find the perfect job for you right after graduation. Ask the faculty at your school, recent graduates, etc. to find out the employment conditions in your area.

If you don't get lucky, think of that first year or two after graduation (during which you might have to work in a job that is not your first choice) as a continuation of your education. Just as new physicians must complete a residency, new attorneys serve as clerks and associates, tradesmen serve as apprentices, etc. ... nurses often have to complete their education by working as a staff nurse in a hospital for a while. Use that experience to learn to apply your school-acquired "book learning" to the care of patients who need your help. As you gain experience with patients, organizational skills, professional judgment, etc. you will be helping yourself become qualified for that perfect job you dream of.

Good luck,

llg

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

While in nursing school I totally disliked my clinical rotations in the hospitals. I am a charge nurse at a LTC facility and like the pace of things. Also, I get 5 days off per week. I work 16 hours per day on Saturday and Sunday, but get paid for a 40-hour week. I have Monday through Friday off (5 days in a row), which is quite nice. If you don't really wish to do hospital work, then don't do it. You've gotta do whatever it is that makes you merry.