? about experience

cwazycwissyRN, RN · Jun 4, 2003

Alot of jobs may prefer experienced nurses, but do hire new grads. There is a place out there for you, please do not get discouraged. If nothing else, remember there is a nursing shortage out there. You could find quite the opposite, you may be wondering which job to pick by the end of it:D

SmallTexan · Jun 4, 2003

Thanks so much for the encouragement. I really feel *dumb* that I've gotten this far in my MA program and will probably not even use it after graduation. I don't want to make the same mistake with nursing. I do have a heart for the elderly, always have. I'd love to work in a nursing home or even a hospice some day. :)

Do you think there will still be a shortage in say 3 years ? (when I graduate)

cwazycwissyRN, RN · Jun 4, 2003

The way things are going that is a big fat YES. Be the best you can be, and with the love for the elderly that posess will make you such a step ahead of the ones that do not particularly have their priorities straight, this will shine through for you. You sound as if you have all the qualities to be a great nurse. Best wishes to you.

KristinWW · Jun 4, 2003

Tex, you are not dumb! I did the same with both my MA and BS (literally) programs. It's discouraging to spend so much time, energy, and emotion on an effort that goes to waste. I feel horrible about using my parents' money that went nowhere, and I worked my butt off in that program.

I had the same employment concerns after graduation and keep getting the "nursing shortage" prose. I'll be interested to read other responses, and try not to be skeptical when I read the party line once more :)

sjoe · Jun 4, 2003

Some institutions have "new grad" programs, designed for people just coming out of nursing school.

SmallTexan · Jun 4, 2003

Originally posted by KristinWW
It's discouraging to spend so much time, energy, and emotion on an effort that goes to waste.

You've got that right on ! I sit there in class and am about to spend hours upon hours doing an internship (unpaid , of course) and I just think to myself WHY ? Like I said, my heart isn't in it, yet I don't want to QUIT. when did you KNOW it wasn't for you ? Did a bulb just go off ? It did for me when I actually started practicing a bit and many people don't want to change ! :stone

colleen10 · Jun 4, 2003

I'm a budding nursing student but I did want to tell you about an experience my aunt, who is a nurse, had when she first graduated.

My aunt got lucky and found a med. surg. job in a hospital after graduating. This was back in the '80's when nursing jobs were actually scarce. Anyway, she worked in med. surg. for a few months when she was approached by another nurse to come and work with her on a new Chemo. unit the hospital was just creating. My aunt was really surprised about this and asked the other nurse if she new my aunt was a new grad. To which the nurse replied, "I know, that's why I'm choosing you, you haven't picked up any bad habits yet".

So, I guess it depends on how you look at.

Cheyenne RN,BSHS · Jun 4, 2003

Try not to worry. Med surg floors everywhere need help and many hospitals are willing to train new graduates.

RN auditor · Jun 4, 2003

The key word is always "preferred". I wouldn't let "preferred" keep me from applying for any job.

Karina212 · Jun 4, 2003

You will have absolutely no problem getting hired in med-surg as a new grad. Hospitals are dying for these nurses. Also, where I live, they will hire new grads in nursing homes, hospice, and many other areas. Don't feel dumb - that's life and you will carry with you much needed experience in counseling as that is a major part of nursing as well. Good luck!

KristinWW · Jun 4, 2003

quote:

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Originally posted by SmallTexan

You've got that right on ! I sit there in class and am about to spend hours upon hours doing an internship (unpaid , of course) and I just think to myself WHY ? Like I said, my heart isn't in it, yet I don't want to QUIT. when did you KNOW it wasn't for you ? Did a bulb just go off ? It did for me when I actually started practicing a bit and many people don't want to change !

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Tex,

When did the light bulb shine oh so brightly? That's easy - 1) seeking jobs that weren't there and 2) applying for the few jobs and not getting any offers, nor calls. My second practicum was helping a PhD student with her research and dissertation in MFT. Ouch! You know how difficult it is to get into the psych doctorate programs and I figured I'd never make it.

I began doing research and discovered the joke the psych field and legislation is compared to SW. Plus, the school I was going to was $$$ and I couldn't see pouring any more money in unless the $$$ began to flow back to me :)