Do I need to start in a hospital as a new RN?

[heatherRNinAK]

well, I got a job offer (as a new grad RN) and am seriously considering calling tomorrow and taking it! It is in an endoscopy center, four 10 hour shifts per week, good pay, no weekends or holidays. I shadowed for a day and was offered a job that afternoon. There are only five nurses and they all seem very close. Most of the people that work there do so for years (I asked). The girl I would "replace" left to pursue her dream of public health nursing after five years. I would definately be proficient in IV's :) but eventually I know I want to be in L&D. If I took this job, later on, would it still be possible to get there if I do this? ANY thoughts would help right now!

[amyrae76]

Did you end up taking the job at the endoscopy center? I can't tell you how jealous I am!! I would LOVE to have that job. I'm a new grad too, and I started out on a med/surg floor and quit after a month and a half. Just yesterday I accepted a job at an allergy & asthma clinic, and I'm not terribly excited about it but it's a job and I didn't want to be in the hospital.

It seems to me that as long as you have some sort of nursing experience under your belt, you will usually at least be considered for other positions down the road. Some positions will require previous OB experience, but I've known plenty of new grads who have gone right into OB, so you should be fine if that's where you eventually want to be.

Good luck!

amy :)

[heatherRNinAK]

Yes, I took the job and I am now going on my 6th week. I love it. I love the people I work with, the MD's, the hours, and the experience. I am getting TONS of experience: IV's, PACU, Conscious sedation, etc. I was worried before about my decision but I know now that I made the right one. It is a dream job and I am very glad that I didn't pass it up.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Sounds like a good gig. If the L&D job you eventually take has a good training and precepting program, and has a need for nurses that they will take inexperienced ones, there's no need to start off in a hospital.

Good luck!

[CHICKEN]

Sounds like you have a nice fit. What I have always been told is do what fits your lifestlye for now and as your life or you are changing so can your nursing career! I have 2yrs as an LPN @ assisted living, 8months on med/surg tele as a patient care tech, and after graduating w/my RN this past may I worked on the Burn Unit in a hospital and left after only 3 months. I really don't have a desire right now to work in a hospital and would LOVE to work in a clinic so I could have weekends/holidays off. I to have wondered if I would be kicking myself in the butt if I didn't have more experience in the hospital, but others have told me that is not the case. So for now I am looking for a job in a doctors office/clinic.