Deciding where to work as a new grad...

[skirbyRN17]

So heres the scoop..I graduate May 10th, 2017 and I am so so excited! I'm top of my class and have worked my butt off-like we all do!-and just can't wait to graduate and move on to the next chapter of my career. With all that said. Ive had a passion for critical care for 10 years. I worked as a medical assistant before nursing school. And I always knew that I wanted to work in the ED. I'm currently finishing my clinicals at a level II trauma hospital on a CIC floor (Cardiac Intermed. Care/ICU step-down) and I LOVE IT (second to critical care/trauma i love cardiac). Still, I long for the ED. So I put in the request to precept/intern there come April..and I got it! So I'll be doing my 96 hrs in the ED at a level II trauma center and I couldn't be more thrilled. I attended a hiring event a couple weeks ago where I mingled and met some important nurse managers on varying units but the guy I was MOST excited to talk to-was the D.O. of Emergency Services!! He basically told me clllll about the changes their making for hiring new nurses in their ED and to go home and apply. Well. I did. And upon checking the other day it says "Received: Not Selected"...my heart broke in a million pieces. Maybe this isn't what God has in store for me? My plan is often different from his (lol)...So I applied to the CIC unit I'm CURRENTLY on and I basically have the job. My clinical instructor gave me a great recommendation to the nurse manager...I have a couple friends on that unit..I mean lets face it, it helps to know people and in nursing I was told to always keep your connections!

So now I'm really torn...some people told me to just try reapplying to the ED after I graduate and maybe that would help. But per the discussion I had with the DO at that event, they prefer to interview people beforehand! So I basically feel like I wasn't picked for the job and THATS OKAY TOO. It just stings a little, I'm human. But taking this job on CIC feels like I'm settling. I know what you're all thinking *new nurses should start with med surg* but please, with all due respect.. I know what I want. And I would prefer to not start on a med surg floor.

Then I go through all kinds of different crazy emotions like, "Samantha! its a job! be grateful! you're a new nurse! Take what you can get!" But just because I'm a new nurse doesn't mean I don't have something to offer. I hate feeling like I'm chasing down a unit at this hospital (the ED) when another unit (CIC) is basically offering me a job. I'm not being ungrateful. I just want to make the right decision.

So do I keep trying for what I really REALLY want. Or start on CIC and maybe transfer after a year or two? (and who knows, I could fall in love with it and maybe move onto CVICU...)

[WookieeRN, BSN, MSN, RN]

What you have going for you is A.) you know you have a job post-graduation (and depending on the area that is difficult for some to say) and b.) you like the unit you've received a job offer for. Now, saying that, there is nothing wrong with having aspirations. I did not want to start in med-surg, so I focused all my attention on critical care. I really wanted ED, but they weren't offering interviews to anyone who hadn't done their preceptorship in ED. I unfortunately did mine in med-surg (which is also how I discovered there was NO WAY I was starting in med-surg). Instead, I received an offer in the PACU at a local level 1 trauma center and jumped on it, because it was closer to my career goals AND I really loved the unit when I did clinical rotations and my shadow interview.

Use the CIC position as a stepping stone to what you really want. You'll learn a lot of good skills relevant to your career goals, and reevaluate in a year.

[MiladyMalarkey, ASN, BSN]

We don't always get what we want. Not to say you aren't capable, but so are possibly 50 other new grads trying to get that same "dream" job you covet. I think it be wise to take what you think is a sure bet that you still do enjoy rather than gambling & then having no job to show. You can always put in for a transfer shortly down the road. Good luck in whatever you choose to do.