Never wanna work in a hospital- big deal, or no?

[dinah77, ADN]

Passed NCLEX two weeks ago and have my first interview coming up next Friday- it is for an inpatient eating disorder house, and I'm thrilled to have a chance at it- it is exactly the type of nursing I want to do

I have never liked the ebb and flow of hospitals, and clinicals during school proved to me that I could give or take a job in one

My question is this though- I know I want to become a NP eventually, but even then I want to work in home care settings, clinics, or public health- do I NEED to work in a hospital some point, or can I side step it all together?

[lkwashington]

Passed NCLEX two weeks ago and have my first interview coming up next Friday- it is for an inpatient eating disorder house, and I'm thrilled to have a chance at it- it is exactly the type of nursing I want to do

I have never liked the ebb and flow of hospitals, and clinicals during school proved to me that I could give or take a job in one

My question is this though- I know I want to become a NP eventually, but even then I want to work in home care settings, clinics, or public health- do I NEED to work in a hospital some point, or can I side step it all together?

Did you graduate with your ADN or BSN? When are you planning on going for your MSN/NP? You are going to have to rotation in a hospital some point for your NP. If you dont it may hurt your chances getting in a NP program. You may want to do some research on NP programs and the qualifications for the program. You need to be familiar with the hospital setting. I would do at least a year or two. This reason why for the above questions.

[evolvingrn, BSN, RN]

unless you become a psych APN....

[MInurse.st]

My school doesn't actually require hospital experience to apply to the nursing grad programs (many people apply while finishing up the BSN), but they do expect you be working as an RN once in the program. Whether this has to be in a hospital or not, I'm not sure... I wouldn't rule out the possibility that you could avoid working in a hospital, until you start asking some admissions counselors at the NP schools you would be interested in what their requirements are concerning RN experience.

[nyteshade, BSN]

Personally I think you'll be fine. Just be sure to check out the requirements for your program.

[Gingilly]

You sound just like me w/ same career path even. Absolutely hate hospital setting. Schools I'm applying at are looking at broader backgrounds in nursing. The advice I got was chose a focus and be able to show activity there- such as volunteering at institutions of that interest, doing research in it, teaching clinics , shadowing others in the that interest, heading up a association chapter etc, publishing articles... think in terms of a portfolio showing how you can impact the NP world. They love research by the way and there are a few gov'mt programs for students that you might be able to find. NIH has one i think. I did a summer bioscience project at the local university growing bacteria for antibiotic use and did a bunch of research methodology classes for MD's sponsored by NIH at the hospital I did clinicals at. Got no credit but it goes on resume...and looks good on my applications. I'm going FNP and want to do epidemiology studies. Hope this inspires. Good luck

[dinah77, ADN]

Very inspiring! thank you! It's nice top hear that there are other options out there...