Confused new grad

cherokeesummer · Dec 23, 2007

Hi there, you don't necessarily have to go through med surg experience first, the key is finding the right place that has openings, etc. I started out from graduating and went into a level four NICU. It was too much for me and I was very overwhelmed so I looked around while I was still there and found a few openings in PP nursing and then finally after some interviews and lots of communication/getting my name out there, I got the job offer. So I'm technially a new grad, I graduated in July, passed boards in August, started working in September as NICU nurse and moved to PP nursing in November.

So it can be done, its often just the luck of the draw b/c often people don't leave PP positions. It's a career field that can be hard to get into. Some nurse managers prefer you have med surg experience first but some don't really care as long as you are willing to learn.

Just get your feelers out there! I didn't want to do med surg and therefore I was willing to try other things to not do it. I did miss out on some good skills but I try to get them when the opportunity arises on my floor and in the future maybe I can do prn nursing or float pool to get more varied skills. I did a short stint on pediatric med surg so that helped a little too.

chuckc, BSN, RN · Dec 24, 2007

I also was one to say "no way, I don't want to do med surg". Well, I did because the hospital I wanted would not let new grads in L&D. I am coming up to the 1 year mark, and boy I have learned more than I ever realized I would working in Med surg. Do I love it? No, I don't. Am I glad I put the time in? You bet. I have gotten a great base to work from, also I feel I am more marketable with med surg experience. I will soon be putting feelers out to get my foot in the door for antepartum, which will lead to L&D. Antepartum in my hospital gets medsurg overflow, perfect. Just something to think about.................

GrumpyRN63, ADN, RN · Dec 28, 2007

I started on postpartum as a new grad. Originally I wanted L&D or NBSCU and new grads weren't hired into either(back in the day). After a year, I got sidetracked into GYN/Surg and then oncology . I gained my 'med/surg 'skills there, our pts are way sicker than your avg med/surg unit anyway besides there is no med/surg unit in my hospital. Many diff surg/med units but no combo, anyhoo, there are no Rules, pave your own path, if you have no desire to go to med/surg--don't, if you can get into where you want, GO FOR IT , you still have opportunity for change down the road if you want, you will not be unmarketable, Good Luck!

mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP · Dec 28, 2007

All paths will lead you where you want to go and unless you are doing some totally obsure nursing area, all paths can eventually lead you to your end result of PP and L&D. IMO there is no such thing as wasted nursing experience.

Those precious jobs in L&D and PP can be hard to come by though, even more so if you lack experience as an RN. It can be done though, I've known many to get jobs right out of school in L&D and PP units but I've also known many be told....get some good solid experience 1st and then come back to me in a year or 2.

I'm in the process of getting my 1-2 years of experince so I can get my foot in the door.

Good luck!!!!