Dilemma

[MIA9er]

Hello everyone,

HERE'S THE CURRENT SITUATION-I am a new RN and have landed a job working Med-Surg, eventually requiring me to work with PEDS patients and floating to god knows how many floors throughout the hospital-ortho, neuro, tele, etc..... I was desperate at the time to get a job, because I passed boards and got married in July, moved to the west coast in August, and was just content being a housewife until after the holidays. After the holidays, I was ready to job hunt (plus pressure from the hubby,ha). This hospital had the most opportunities at the time as well as FT positions, which I needed. I applied thinking that I was just going to be on Med-Surg, but nope. Okay, so I took the position anyway, just to get my foot in the door and start my career. I've been orientating for 2 weeks.

HERE'S THE DILEMMA- A program came out just after I got hired to train for peri-op nursing. Six months training with a 1-yr. internship and a 2-yr. contract. I feel I was made to work as a scrub nurse and I am fascinated with surgery! I told my current mentor about this and she said to stay with my current position for at least a year before going to a specialty! I don't want to eventually work with kids! :(I feel if I pass this opportunity up, it won't come around again, (and it's in the best interest of the company). But, I just got hired as a new RN with no experience, I feel like this will go against me. What should I do? Thanks to anyone who can provide insight.

[jillyk*rn]

hi,

i work peds...and i know in the olden days that we had to do a year of med-surg. that was always the thinking. now, i know that we hire a lot of new grads. i don't know about the or, but my bil finished nursing school and went straight there.

i go with the thought that if you can go...go.

good luck and let us know:icon_hug: .

[clee1]

Go with the opportunity.

Too many old-school nurses thing you aren't a "real" nurse unless you do at least a year in med/surg. Forget them.

Your license and your career. Do what feels right to you.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

I am always suspicious of any place that allows new RNs to take float positions. Something is usually wrong when they do that--like they have problems retaining nurses. That, or whoever is doing the hiring doesn't know what they are doing. So, I have to ask just how concerned they are about a new graduate nurse. Having heard that you were put into a float position I would be highly suspicious of this other position they are offering, particularly since it carries a 2 year contract. What's with that? I would suspect that they want a signed contract that if any nurse leaves before the two years is up they will have to pay the cost of their training. Again, what's with that? I don't think I would like the place you are working. You didn't say where you are on the west coast, but if you are anywhere in the California area there are other places to find work in surgical nursing.

[MIA9er]

I live in Southern California, more specifically around Oceanside. I had a chance to observe the OR and follow a pt. through the whole surgery process. The nurses, docs, and anesthesiologist were all pretty cool and answered all my questions- they thought I was going to work with them, but I told them I got hired on another floor. One of the OR nurses actually brought up the OR program and said I should do it if I was interested. That got me excited and at the same time bummed because I felt like I was locked into the other position. The hospital has a pretty good rep and all of the nurses are really helpful and willing to help me learn and do procedures to increase my skills/experiences. A lot of them have been working there about 2-3 years, some up to 15-20years+. My mentor and I get along great, but I feel like she wants whats in the best interest for her floor (understandably). She kind of shot down my idea of even considering transferring depts. I really want to work in the OR, but who can I talk to about this early transfer thing? An educator? Will my current manager throw a fit? I know they are expecting a lot out of me with this whole float nurse thing. I feel stuck already and have only been there 2 weeks...yuck.