About to graduate, but feeling demoralized...

RunnerRN, BSN, RN · Mar 26, 2007

First, congratulations on your upcoming graduation! The great thing about nursing is the number of opportunities. If you don't like one area, you can go to another and start over! You don't have to work med-surg. If you want to try L&D, try it. Just make sure you get a good orientation.

It is fine to take a little time off after graduating. I wouldn't even start work until after the babe is born and you've done your "leave." Just spend that time studying for boards.

You'll get lots of other good ideas on here. My friend had her son 2 weeks after we graduated, waited to start her orientation until the fall (4 months later) and is doing great (and her son is too). Just do what feels right to you!

nrsang97, BSN, RN · Mar 26, 2007

First congrats on graduation and the baby!

If you don't like med surg then you don't have to start there. Apply for L&D or post partum. If ER or ICU strikes your interest apply there. Medsurg was a good place for me to start. It gives you good assessment skills. I worked med surg for 5 years before I took the leap to critical care. Med surg isn't for everyone. Medsurg is a not a "pigeon hole" it is only a stepping stone for experience.

On that note a lot of day/outpatient surgery like you to have at least some experience, some L&D do not take new grads, but take the chance and apply. Apply outside of the small community hospital you did much of your schooling at. There are far more options in a bigger town with a teaching facility if that is feesable.

I agree with Runner about taking a break until the baby is born and you are comfortable to return to work.

Good luck to you whatever you decide.

anonymurse · Mar 26, 2007

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My program was in a rural area and all of our clinical experiences were in the same community hospital.
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I have come to the realization that I REALLY hate working med/surg. I learned a lot on my preceptorship from a clinical standpoint, but I truly cannot imagine myself working as a floor nurse in that capacity. I hate the work, the stress, the patient population, and just know I would be miserable there.
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If you didn't get a chance to do home health clinicals, try making the rounds with a home health nurse for a few days. I hated the whole idea of going into other folks' homes. I'm glad I didn't have any choice. I won't get into the details. You'll have to experience it for yourself to believe how good it can be. This is the polar opposite of med/surg. I will definitely be doing home health in the future.

angel337, MSN, RN · Mar 26, 2007

try not to be discouraged. yes, there are a lot of opportunities in nursing, but those office jobs and outpatient surgery jobs are usually only available to nurses with at least a couple years of hospital experience. be patient, and explore your options, if you see a job you are interested in, apply for it any way..even if it requires experience. sometimes you get lucky. and last but not least, think positive. remember you invested alot in your future. nursing is what you make it and positive thoughts can produce great outcomes. good luck in whatever you decide.:)

GingerSue · Mar 26, 2007

consider home visiting - I wish that I had stayed

maybe rehab - another great field, positive atmosphere

Cattitude · Mar 26, 2007

i just want to caution the op and other new grads. many home care agencies will not accept new grads. this is for good reason and looks out for the employee, the employer and the patients.

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secondfiddle · Mar 26, 2007

Yes, I am aware that most home care agencies (if not all) will not take new grads. And I do agree with that policy - it wouldn't be safe to send new people out in the field alone. However, this is what I'm talking about - it seems that you need to have a couple of years of med/surg to do just about anything. At 30 years old and having spent 7+ years in school (undergraduate plus the ADN now), I really don't want to waste too much more time doing something with my life that I don't enjoy at least somewhat.

nurseinlimbo · Mar 26, 2007

I went to school as an adult as well, 30, graduated at 33. I went to school when my son started kindergarten. As a student nurse I was employed for the summer as SN in a LTC facility, where I was allowed to do everything as long as the DOC was in the building. I learned med admin, dressings, palliative care etc. I also did GN work in a pschiatric facility, for rehabilitation of patients with depression, personality disorders, drug rehab etc. I was in charge of medication rounds there, as well as assisting on Dr's "day", which was like working a clinic. It was a great way to get very familiar with common drugs and dosages as many of the patients were also diabetic, or had cardiac histories.

I have never worked in an active Med/surg environment. I have worked in small rural hospital (16 beds with ER) but it was mostly palliative care and LTC waiting placement. I have worked LTC, and right now am at a facility with 19 LTC clients with severe disabilities, with an attached Community Support Bed facility (4 beds) for convalesence, palliative, respite and infirmary. We get patients who have had hip surgery, pneumonia, MS, paraplegics, fractures, palliative CA, you name it. It is smaller, more intimate, slow paced, and allows you to know your patients well.

I took the OR training thinking that I might like the hours better, mostly days and hardly any weekends, but while I liked the work very very much, the environment was hostile and toxic. So I decided to go back to what I was doing before.

If I lived in a larger center, I would LOVE to work for a private practice plastic surgeon, doing smaller surgeries, recovery room etc. But I don't see that in my future unless I move. I am also interested in working Home Care, but feel I need to gain more experience and also work towards my BN.

There are lots of things you can do with your RN, dialysis, mental health, LTC, home care..... you don't have to work med/surg.

Good luck and congratulations, enjoy your time with your baby!!

military spouse · Mar 26, 2007

Congrats on your graduation!!!!!!! Maybe home health, hospice, psych or corrections would be a better environment for you. Hospital work is NOT for everyone. I've been worked at a couple of hospitals, and, quite frankly, my jobs outside the hospitals are generally MUCH more pleasant!