What to do after nursing school???

[Nursing2019BSN, BSN, RN]

Hi!! To get to the point, I honestly have no idea what I want to do after nursing school. There are so many different options and I was hoping to hear from experienced nurses what they think a good route is to take. I was thinking about being a nurse practitioner, so then I would work a couple of years in a icu unit. Travel nursing sounds interesting as well. But I was also thinking about jobs I can get that are not actually nursing. Like maybe a teacher or something?? Idk, I just have NO IDEA what I want to do so if you have experience in any of the things I'm talking about please send help. Thanks!!

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

You're going to school for nursing, hopefully will be licensed as a nurse. Why not try nursing to see if you like it before you decide to be a teacher instead?

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

My best advice is pass NCLEX, get a job and use the degree you just earned.

In other words, be a nurse..

[sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN]

Pass Nclex

and apply for jobs

Best wishes

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

Pretty much all of the things you listed are NOT options to you right after nursing school. Travel nursing is not appropriate for a new grad with no experience. Education is not appropriate for a new grad with no experience. You can be a nurse practitioner, paradoxically, if you go right into nurse practitioner school, with no experience, but this is a pretty hotly debated topic here.

There is nothing wrong with fiddling around with long term goals, but right now your primary focus needs to be on actually getting a license. Then you need to work as a nurse in acute care, usually for two or more years, before even thinking about the options you named. Getting a job in acute care as a new grad is not easy in most areas of the country. It is competitive and will take your attention and inner grit, both in landing a job and then in working it until you learn what being a nurse really is.

Nothing wrong with dreaming, but keep your attention honed to the things that are of real import at this place in your career. If you don't get into acute care then none of those options are going to work out for you. Let that be your first step. Congratulations on finishing school.

[Nursing2019BSN, BSN, RN]

My bad, I do tend to think more about the future than the present. I already know I will be working as a bedside nurse for a couple of years, but I'm not sure what I would do after that. I am doing an externship right now so honestly I don't see myself struggling to get a job when I graduate...that's why I'm so worried about wayyyyy into the future. You guys are right though. I really should focus on starting and finishing my senior year--i just can't help but get ahead of myself!

[JadedCPN, BSN, RN]

My bad, I do tend to think more about the future than the present. I already know I will be working as a bedside nurse for a couple of years, but I'm not sure what I would do after that. I am doing an externship right now so honestly I don't see myself struggling to get a job when I graduate...that's why I'm so worried about wayyyyy into the future. You guys are right though. I really should focus on starting and finishing my senior year--i just can't help but get ahead of myself!

Definitely focus on the present instead of getting ahead of yourself - even with an externship, you have no job guarantee so don't get too comfortable.

[caliotter3]

Don't substitute long term goals for the immediate goal of obtaining experience in nursing. Set your priorities straight.

[MiladyMalarkey, ASN, BSN]

Actually working as a nurse will give you an idea if you even want to go on to an advance degree and if so what type of advanced degree. So basically, work as a nurse and after the first year or two then evaluate your future. Let the horse go in front of your cart not vice versa.