Am I making a mistake not taking MedSurg position?

Nurses New Nurse

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Specializes in Correctional Nursing.

This is a nice dilemma to be in but right now it is stressing me out! I have worked for a year in a corrections facility and I really enjoy it very much. No full time position was available as I neared graduation so I applied at a local hospital and was hired into a Med Surg position. I think I would like the staff and the facility a lot (doesn't start for a couple of weeks) but now a full time position is available where I am in corrections... would it be a mistake to not take the Med Surg position now that I'm a new grad RN? And how do I turn down a position to not burn any bridges?

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I guess it depends on what you think you will get out of the Med/Surg position. What are your future goals?

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Specializes in Correctional Nursing.

Thanks for answering! At this point, I am interested in the psych part of corrections, and I love chronic illness... I mean renal failure, COPD, etc... so I think I would get a lot of that in med surg, but we also deal with that daily in corrections. I would love to be working in dialysis once I get experience.

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Specializes in Hospice / Ambulatory Clinic.

Do what makes your more excited. Don't worry about bridges sometimes the just burn themselves anyways. Work is not as personal as a friendship. They'll want you more later on if you have more diversity.

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Specializes in Telemetry.

If you can definitely get the corrections position, and that's where your heart is, go with that. As long as you can make it happen, do what makes your heart happy.

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Specializes in Correctional Nursing.

Great points...I think the idea of being more well rounded by working on med surg appeals to me...but the actual job in corrections is very interesting. I"m making up a pros/cons list...just a month ago I had no offers at all, so I don't want to mess this up!

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Specializes in Hospice / Ambulatory Clinic.

It's a good solid choice. Go for that

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Specializes in Correctional Nursing.

Actually I am leaning towards following nurse hoolootoo's advice on this one to follow what the heart is wanting... thank you all for the comments...

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Specializes in med/surg.

There will be a lot of psych in med/surg. I promise.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Oncology, Neurology, Rehab.

Congratulations!! You are so fortunate that you were offered a job! Many would love to be in your shoes right now. Only you can finally make that decision but if it was me I would certainly take the med-surg because once you get that experience it will be invaluable. I don't think you will be getting the experience in corrections nursing as you will in med-surg. I pray you make the decision that will be the most beneficial for your future. You can always return to corrections, but that may not be true for trying to secure work as a med-surg nurse. Working in corrections is much difference than med-surg experience. I did corrections work after I graduated from my BSN program. Corrections nursing is nothing compared to med-surg work; med-surg prepared me for multiple opportunities, especially as a travel nurse. Best wishes to you.:)

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Specializes in Correctional Nursing.

Very true I'm sure! This is a lot to mull over... I'm older than the average new RN so I really don't want to rush into anything without thoroughly considering all the major things...

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Sometimes there are no mistakes to be made and there are NO right or wrong choices. Sometimes we have multiple equally reasonable good options. Follow your passion and your interests.

Congratulations and good luck with whichever you choose.

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