New grad nurse starting at an office - bad idea?

Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN · Nov 20, 2015

It wouldn't "ruin" your career, but it would make you much less attractive for hospital jobs. Med/surg or a nursing home might not be as appealing, but you'd have better luck transitioning to L&D or peds than you would have coming from an allergy clinic.

journey2success · Nov 20, 2015

Why don't you do some home health on the side? Maybe you can do one case a week or every other week? Contact a home health agency and see if they take new grads. You can attain some skills in home health, plus this will make your application look more appealing for when you apply to the hospital.

Edit: I am suggesting this if you end up getting into the allergy clinic, then you can start working home health on the side.

Georgiapeach210 · Nov 21, 2015

That is actually a great idea! If I end up getting the job, I will definitely look into that. Thanks!

NOADLS · Nov 21, 2015

If (I doubt this) the office job paid well enough and the working conditions were good, why would you want to work at a hospital? Same could be said for LTC or rehab.

The fact that you are unwilling to work at a LTC or rehab is going to be a hindrance. The experience there would look better on you as opposed to having office experience.

JaxJax5423 · Nov 21, 2015

I've noticed it's difficult to get into a hospital if you're coming from a clinic. Plus this is your window to get that new grad hospital bedside training. I believe that is very valuable!! it will open endless opportunities

theradiantforce · Nov 21, 2015

Honestly, I would find a hospital I really wanted to work at and apply for several of the med-surg jobs and some peds, NICU, L&D positions. A lot of places are hiring new grads in these special areas because they want to "mold" them. However, if you must work med-surg at least you will be in place you ultimately plan to end up AND gaining valuable acute experience. Find out their policy and transfer to a more desired position within the facility once you qualify. Hospitals usually hire within first.

The clinic is fine if you need a job, but realize it may not help you in the big picture. Acute care hospitals usually want acute experience which means they often don't consider long term/clinic experience to be very relevant. Some managers will which is great but, some will not. Where I am at, several of my friends from school are finding it difficult to get into a hospital after working in long term care but, the LTC facilities were the only places that really wanted to hire them. It's a terrible catch 22.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Nov 21, 2015

What is your endgame?

If you want to work in a clinic, then by all means take the position; however, if you desire to work in an acute care position, think about whether you will be able to transition from a clinic-not that a clinic is not busy, as well as multitasking and teaching and other aspects of nursing skills aren't utilized-they are, but there is a different pace and thought process that is involved vs working in Rehab, Sub Acute and Acute Care-I have worked in each of these settings and there is a different approach in an outpatient setting vs facility setting.

I have also witnessed where I work-in the ED, and they are times where they are slow to transition to those demands of an acute emergency intervention-meaning, having the nursing intuition to make snap decisions, and decisive decisions; one reveled that they had to spend weeks in inpatient to become comfortable in the nuances of working in acute care, and at times voices their lack of comfort working in the trauma room.

That may not happen to you; however, consider that if you want acute care there my be struggles with transitioning if you take the position-I worked in outpatient after working in a facility-and still worked their per down to keep up those aspects of my rising practice; it made me stronger in my clinic position.

kbrn2002, ADN, RN · Nov 21, 2015

Since you don't graduate until December you have a little time to hold out for a hospital position. Are there any new grad specific programs at the hospitals in the area you plan to move to? This seems to me to be your best bet at a foot in the door opportunity to acute care.

You are right to be little concerned about your later opportunities in a tough job market if you accept a clinic position. Many hiring managers do not see clinic and LTC experience as relevant and once you are working you will no longer be eligible for those new grad positions in a hospital.