Graduate RN Job

[caaaity]

I need some advice. I'm graduating with my BSN in the next few months and I'm really looking to work in pediatrics, something more critical care oriented such as NICU, PICU, or ED, but I'm wondering if that's feasible right out of school?

I'm currently in the Midwest and I'm looking into moving in the Tennessee/Alabama area after graduation to be closer to family, so that's also something to think about. I'm just worried that I might get screwed. I should also mention that I will be participating in a nurse internship over the summer at a local children's hospital on a medical surgical floor to hopefully gain some of that hands on pediatrics experience.

[Checkers08, BSN, MSN, RN]

Regardless of where of you end up, make sure you ask about the new grad orientation process/duration, especially if you go into a specialty area right away. I'm definitely not saying it's for everyone, but I went into ED straight out of school and loved it. My orientation process was 6 months long with weekly classes to address more specific items. We then had to work an additional amount of time before being allowed in trauma or triage. I was still absolutely terrified when it was time to come off orientation, but I didn't feel like I was completely thrown in the deep end.

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

Here is a link to Vanderbilt's new grad residency program. You missed the summer application deadline, but you won't graduate until after the start date anyway. They have start dates twice a year (Summer and Winter).

Nurse Residency Program - Vanderbilt Health Nashville, TN

I graduated in August 2014 and applied to their program and many other openings around the country. I got called for an interview, in November, the day after I accepted a position at another children's hospital.