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I am graduating in a few weeks so I have started applying for several jobs. I love OB and know that I want to work there. I have been told by several people that I need to start off on the Med/Surg floor. Is this true? Should new grads start off on the med surg floor even if they know where they want to work?

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I'm in the same boat. I have been told to start in med surg because you will hone your critical thinking skills and ability to think quickly. The hospital where I live won't hire a nurse into L&D without three years med surg experience.

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I think that its a misnomer that you MUST start on a med/surg floor, plenty start elsewhere and are perfectly happy. If OB is where you want to work and you can get a job, I say go for it!

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

It will be very difficult to find a OB position right out of school. IF new grads are hired....it is only a position or two at a time. This is a high liability area and hospitals shy away for new grads learning nursing and a specialty at the same time.

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I concur the the above post... Sure there are (or were) ideal milestones in the nursing career path but if you already have an idea if what kind of nurse you want to be then by all means- go for it!

I graduated in 12/2011 and for our class our first jobs were dictated by the position offered. Offers were so scarce that it did not matter what kind of nurse we wanted to be. We took a nursing job and were quite happy to be employed.

Experience is what you really need- learn what you can and maneuver to where you want to be.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Hematology/Oncology.
It will be very difficult to find a OB position right out of school. IF new grads are hired....it is only a position or two at a time. This is a high liability area and hospitals shy away for new grads learning nursing and a specialty at the same time.

I think location also plays a big role. In small towns(like where I am) some new grads land the jobs in the hospital they do leadership clinicals. Since they meet the clinical manager and follow the charge nurse around they can see what they are made of. Obviously if the clinical manager and the staff likes you from spending 100+ hours there. Then that is going to be a big factor(lol)

Now obviously you arent in that same position.

Go for OB, but dont get your hopes up. Apply for different positions.

Good luck OP

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Thank you so much for all of your advice and help!!

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Specializes in Pedi.

No, it's not necessary. I've been a nurse for 6 1/2 years and I've never worked med-surg, nor do I ever intend to.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.

I've heard this too. I have no desire to work on a med-surg floor. I already know I want to work in the NICU, and I know some NICUs prefer new grads because they have a "fresh template" and don't need to unlearn many things that come with years of working with adults.

I do think that new grads should try to go for bedside experience first. It doesn't have to be med-surg.

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I'm heading straight to the OR.

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I went straight into ER, but I do want to work PRN on a med surg floor. I think it'd be good to have skills from more than one area!

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