Choosing 1st Job

Published

Specializes in Pediatrics.

Okay, there's millions of posts out there like this, but I'm torn. First of all, I went to my first interviews (3 at one hospital) and got 2 offers right there. YIKES! One is on a liver transplant floor (eval, pre, post, related probs), and the other is on a telemetry floor (cardiac stepdown). The environment and organization of liver is much nicer, and it is very specialized while at the same time basically being a med-surg floor. Many patients are on telemetry, no ventilators or anything. The tele floor is physical set up weird and feels deserted. Everyone is monitored, 5 vent beds, EKG class and ACLS come with the package. So, I feel I should want to go to the tele, because it is a better career builder maybe. And maybe I just didn't get the feel of the floor. BUT, I had a clinical on the liver floor and I really liked it! Liver seems heavy duty (I know it is for the patients!). Would you consider it challenging enough for a smart new grad? I am not one who insists on going to an ICU, but I don't want to aim low either. I guess I'm kinda second guessing also becuase I was flabbergasted to be offered those jobs-I'm used to a different industry and didn't believe that really happened right in the interview in nursing.

Any advice on where to go? P.S. I'm also interviewing in PICUs/Peds. I could insist on PICU and interview everywhere until they let me into a PICU also.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency.

I hear ya, I've got a few job offers for the ER, and I'm really torn too!

Personally, if I had to choose between liver and tele, I'd go with tele. Just my personal preference though. I'd like the ECGs/Vents/Cardiac stuff. Med-surg was really boring for me.

If PICU is where you really want to end up though, I'd keep interviewing for PICUs....have you thought about peds med-surg or peds cardiac??? Children's hospital might give you the best of both worlds.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics.

TY for the advice. I applied online to Childrens yesterday, but their new grad program does not start until September 07. I wish I could line up lots of interviews all at once and then choose, but that ain't how job hunting goes. There's always shoulda coulda wouldas out there after you choose a job.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency.

I agree. Wouldn't that be nice....all the interviews at once, all the offers in front of you before you actually have to make a decision. I was really hoping that was how it was going to work out, but the hospital I'm doing my final placement in offerred me a job before I had even heard back about interviews from other possibly better places. Great to know that I have a job offer before I've even graduated, but still.....

If Children's is what u really wanted, and they don't start till September, have you thought about taking off a couple of months and travelling? I mean, once you start working you're not likely going to have three or four months to take off and do it then!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Being on a floor that you feel is organized and nice is important. Being comfortable where you're at is a big deal. If being in tele gives you weird and deserted feelings, I'd be careful on choosing that route.

Me, personally, would choose telemetry just b/c cardiac interests me. Hence, I'm in CCU. But I wouldn't be on the unit I'm in if I didn't feel comfortable. It really helps that you've already done clinicals on the liver floor, and you liked it! That's how I picked CCU, I did my preceptorship in school there and loved it.

You have all the time in the world to gain experience and learn, don't rush yourself. Learn as you go. But go where you think you'll be happiest.

Good luck to you :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

go where you feel you want to spend some time definite not everyone stays where they went as new grads but i have know nures who worked on one floor from when they were lpns graduted from rn school and went on to be nurse mgr and then retired after about 25 years

most nursing jobs change with the times so don't feel like you will be bored, you are always learning something and facing new challeges

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, High-Risk L&D, IBCLC.

If you liked the liver transplant floor during clinicals and truly feel comfortable there, go for it! I worked on a liver/kidney tranplant surgical floor during school and it's amazing the things you learn from those patients. I think the liver is fascinating and so many other things can (and do) go wrong when the liver is not functioning - you'll definitely be challenged!

I probably would have chosen liver over tele, but that's just my own opinion. You should do what truly interests you and where you feel most comfortable, and only you will know that! ;)

Best of luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You should not be surprised to receive spot offers when you interview for a nursing position anywhere, and its not necessarily because the manager is desperate to have a warm body to fill the spot. Some managers have an eye for recognizing good nurses and new grads who have the potential to become great nurses. You obviously presented yourself well during the interviews, and they do not want to lose you to another floor or facility.

I agree with the other posters that your decision should be based on where your interests lie. Regardless of which opportunity you choose, you will not be missing out on anything. No matter where you are working in a hospital, if you want to get ACLS certification and learn how to read EKGs you will very probably find that the hospital is willing to pay for you to attend these classes as a part of their continuing education program. Also, no matter where you begin your nursing career in an acute care setting, don't feel that you have to stay there. After you get six months to a year or so of experience you can always apply to transfer to another floor to gain other types of experience.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics.

Thank you everyone for your advice. I accepted the position on the liver floor. When all is said and done, that's the place I'm going to want to get out of bed to go to. And thank you for reminding me that liver patients sometimes change status quickly and have multi-system failure. I'm sure I will be challenged there and it's a great hospital with lots of opportunities.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, PACU, Cath Lab.

Congrats on your new position. I just had a patient in Liver failure this week and I learned alot!!! I also got to help with a pericentisis(sp??) and we got 5 liters of fluid off him...we wanted more, but that was what he tolerated!! It will be a very interesting floor for you!! Congrats again!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D/Mother-Baby.

Congratulations on your new job on a liver transplant floor. I know a few people who graduated in the class before me who got jobs as new grads on a liver transplant floor at a highly reputable hospital in the city and although the work is tough, they enjoy it. The experiences are many and will no doubt enrich your nursing career.

I just accepted my first position as a labor and delivery nurse and am excited beyond words. It was the job I wanted after graduation and am happy I got it. I know that this too is a difficult specialty, but I take pride in my ability to take on great challenges and will put in 1,000% every day to learn everything that I can. It helps a great deal to know that there is a lot of support and encouragement from people all over, who like ourselves, are starting out and are unsure and a little afraid. Even those who have been nurses for many years and can relate.

Best of luck in your new job and keep us posted as you go along. You may even want to consider a blog on this site to vent and share any wonderful experiences.

Melody

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion