Graduating in 43 days... HELP!

[RN_one_day]

Hi Everyone!

I graduate from my RN program in about 1.5 months... most of my classmates have jobs or actively applying. I know that I should as well at this point. My problem is that I am really torn over what field to go into. I love nursing... I love the thinking process... I love almost everything that goes with it... but I really hate being on a med/surg floor. I was on a surgical floor last semester for clinicals and am on a medical floor this semester. I really do enjoy the interacting with my patients, etc... but there is so much that occurs on the med/surg floor that does not appeal to me.

I really was leaning towards going into peds. The problem is that the only hospital that does peds is at least an hour (without traffic... and that is a rarity)... so I could easily be looking at 1-2 hour commute one way. It isnt looking like a real great option for me but I guess it is there. I feel like I could actually do a med/surg type floor with children. I dont know why... other than the fact that I really do enjoy working with children. I am also scared to work with kids because when they go downhill they do so in a hurry and being a new grad would I be able to recognize that?

I have multiple hospitals that are located anywhere from 5 mins to 20 mins away from me... and all are hiring new grads. I had a really strong pull to the ER but feel that is not the most appropriate place for a new grad. I have had just about every instructor jump all over and me and tell that I need to get at the very min 6 mos of med/surg and it should be with adults before I even think about anything else. I just really do not find these floors to be stimulating to me. Do I just need to really suck it up and work in an environment that I feel I will likely be very unhappy?

Does anyone have any suggestions? I am terrified of graduating and then hating working. I want to enjoy my chose profession!

Thanks!

[helper T cell]

I know it depends on who you talk to but...... several of the people I just graduated with are taking preceptorships in OB, Psyc, short stay surgery to name a few. I know alot of people say to start on the Med Surg. I am but that is by choice I am one of those that just likes the Med Surg although it is alot and I haven't made it to the full patient load yet!!! (one cool thing is our Peds go there to (small town).

Finishing school, taking and passing the NCLEX plus starting a brand new job is alot. One of the hardest things I've done in life is this. So I think you should choose where your passion is. It is nice to work close to home without a long commute because the 12 hour shifts are long and most of us new grads are there much longer finishing charting.

Good luck I hope you pick what you want!!!

[november17, ASN, RN]

I had the same problem. I was clueless. I didn't even start applying until the day after I finished my final exam. Btw, finding a job was NOT a problem!!!! I Had 5 call-backs and several interviews lined up the day after I applied at a couple of different places.

I ended up taking a job in med/surg to get a backbone. I'm still torn as to what I'd like to eventually end up in. I'm having wonderful experiences in med-surg in the meantime though. I'll keep biding my time until I find something more interesting to me. Believe me, med-surg can be just as exciting as anything else. A couple of crisis a week is plenty for me! I'm not an adrenaline junkie though.