First nursing job. Need advice

[Redmaile]

I currently work as a CNA at a telemetry unit. I've been there for about 5 years and I am a 4th semester nursing student scheduled to graduate this December. My boss today made it sound like she really wants to hire me because she emphasized how hard it is to get a nursing job as a new graduate but because she knows me, she'll take me right away. However, I am really really unhappy on my unit because of the people I work with. Don't get me wrong, sometimes it's nice to see the familiar faces and there's a certain level of comfort where I feel I can ask them a question or two, but I really hate working on that unit. It's getting to the point where I feel burned out before I even get started.

Because new nurses does not have much of a choice in where they can work, what do you suggest? Tough it out some more or go somewhere else? I've toughed it out for 5 years. I've been feeling like this for a while about my unit, but on the positive side, I know how to use the comp. I know how to find things as an RN because I did my clinicals there too, but still unhappy....

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

I think you should keep your options open. Don't stay on your unit if you think you'll be miserable, but don't close that door completely, because you have to take what you get. Speak with your boss and tell her that you want to get x type of experience. Maybe Med/Surg for the variety or ICU because you're interested in critical care or even ED for the excitement. Make it about you wanting a good new grad experience where you don't feel overwhelmed and not about you disliking your unit. Meanwhile, apply to outside hospitals. 5 years of telemetry tech experience is gold. If your boss likes you she may be able to speak with other managers at your hospital. Sometimes it's hard to transition from tech to RN on the same unit.

[Redmaile]

Thank you so much. Makes perfect sense