Critical Care Job

[Knut2129]

I will be graduating in May and sitting for my NCLEX in early June. I have been looking all around the country for critical care jobs that are accepting new grad applications. I realize that most places will require some sort of nursing experience in order to apply for a critical care job and the odds are kind of against me. However, I do have several things going for me that may help including co-op experience on a med-surg floor as well as in an ICU and my practicum was in a med-surg ICU. So far I have two job offers in critical care units, but I'm not too fond of the location of these hospitals. I have lived in the upper midwest my entire life and would like to explore a different part of the country. I don't really have anything holding me here so I can go pretty much anywhere in the country. If anyone knows of places willing to at least consider new grads for critical care jobs please let me know. I greatly appreciate any help. Thanks!

[NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN]

Seriously just take the job offer at one of them. Half the country can't even offer jobs for experience nurses. Do you know how many new graduates are applying for one position on average out in here in California? About 1000, and there are VERY few new graduate opportunities to top it off. I'd stay where your at, learn all you can..maybe 3 years? Then look around.

I wouldn't recommend the west Coast in any case.

[Knut2129]

I know it's tough out there for many people and I don't take the offers I've gotten for granted. I'm just sick of the Midwest; especially North Dakota. The whether is terrible and there is nothing to do. I'll likely end up staying here anyway though. Thanks for putting things into perspective a bit and for the advice.