Confused..need some direction please

[Luvsunflower]

Just a little background. I graduated this last spring with an ADN, just got my license a few weeks ago. I live in Massachusetts and I am basically a stay at home mom. I started my job search and it doesn't look good. I do plan to start working on my BSN this coming spring.

My question is, is it okay to start off in working in the community rather than the traditional med/surg hospital route? I know many people have told me you must start in a hospital for at least a year to get your experience but honestly I despise med/surg even though I did very well. Maybe because I was stressed out during nursing school that it felt i didn't get a good grasp because I was inexperienced and maybe I would eventually like it but during my clinicals I hated it.

I LOVED psych and labor and delivery. I thought everyone enjoyed these areas but most people hated them to my surprise. I felt like I was home when in those areas of nursing and could have stayed all day. I really want to truely help people and make a long term differnce and I feel like med/surg didn't give me that satisfaction.

We had a 4 year college come visit us one day and it kinda sparked my thinking. She said that nursing doesn't have to be traditional med/surg anymore and that the profession is evolving so drastically. Is this true? Is it really okay to not want to work in a hospital? I really want to work in the community and maybe even volunteer in senior centers or maybe work in substance abuse or help families. I got this wonderful job opportunity that pays more than a hospital and is doing just those type of things. Its perfect for someone with kids because of the hours and will allow me to persue my BSN without too much stress. But, I wouldn't be using my skills per say. But I know I will LOVE it.

Would I be screwing myself to take it? Would I be stuck? Will I not be considered a "real" nurse? After I get my BSN is it like starting off as a new grad again so if I change my mind and do want to work in a hospital?

[MandaRN94]

Take the job! I have been a nurse for 17 yrs and never worked a day on a med/surg floor. I did work in L&D for 10 yrs after I graduated and received my BSN. After that I have been in community/public health ever since and LOVE IT. I would never go back to hospital nursing.