Anything else I can do with a BSN without starting out in the hospital first?

[Rainbowbright77]

I do not like the hospital setting...at all. Is there anything else I can do with my BSN without working in the hospital first? So many people say that hospital experience is required atleast for a few years. Seriously, the stress would kill me and is not worth it. What else can I do with my BSN that won't require hospital experience first?

All tips are appreciated.

[RN1982]

Most positions want at least a year of experience. Perhaps Home health care would be a good choice? Management would probably be out of the question because they'd probably prefer to hire someone with at least 5 years in the clinical setting.

[Multicollinearity, BSN, RN]

This will vary by area and job market, but you may be able to work as a public health nurse. I know the health dep't in my county welcomes new grads with BSNs.

I still wonder, though, how well a new grad BSN can manage case loads comprised of people with complex health issues when lacking acute hospital experience.

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

I had an ADN, but i hit a huge medical clinic (100 docs +) with multiple sites. I had already worked in hospital for 13 years when I bace a nurse. It has worked out well for me, but you have to be willing to be paid less, and without hospital experience your options are limited if you ever wish to do that kind of nursing. Good luck!

[Rainbowbright77]

Thanks for the input so far. I think I might like home health care or even public health. I'll keep my mind open. I do have my senior year of nursing (community health and hospital care) coming up, so maybe Med. Surg. is just what I am not liking. We will see. Still, any other input is appreciated.

[StarryNyte713]

I think most people are really stressed when they first start out in the hospital... it just takes a while to get used to the environment. I "got over it" by taking a job as an aide.

How about Psych nursing or working in a rehabilitation center (not as "big" and crazy as a med-surg floor)? Those two could work for a new-grad.:wink2:

[stephlucasrn2008]

If you are worried about stress level but still want experience to move onto bigger and better things, I suggest trying an inpatient rehabilitation unit in a hospital. I have a friend that almost stroked out everyday during our critical care rotation in school, and she loves it there.

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

How about outpatient treatment (ie chemotherapy)? I know some of the local chemo centers hire new grads.