How to avoid the Med Surg?

ZASHAGALKA, RN · Aug 1, 2006

Not all, but many facilities hire directly into specialty units. But my experience is that those candidates normally bring something more to bear than nursing school: previous health-care experience for example.

I would think there needs to be something that sets you out from other candidates. It's a big investment to hire a new grad directly into a specialty unit. What about YOU suggests that you are worth that investment.

For example, your ID lends to suggest that you are or were a combat medic. There you go. Play THAT up on your resume. I'd also suggest working as a tech in ER or CCU while in school.

~faith,

Timothy.

elkpark · Aug 1, 2006

One of the factors involved is location, and how desperate specific hospitals are for nurses. I graduated from nursing school in a large urban area (that I had been living in for many years), and found that none of the facilities in the area would hire new graduates in "my" specialty area because they had the luxury of a large pool of qualified, experienced nurses to draw from whenever there were openings. I found out about an opening in the same specialty in a small, rural hospital a few hours away and applied there -- they not only hired me, they were delighted to get someone fresh out of school with all the up-to-date "book larning." :) If you're willing to relocate to expand your search, that may make a big difference in the amount of competition you face for a particular specialty area, and the attitudes of the people making hiring decisions.

Best wishes.

NJNursing, ASN, RN · Aug 1, 2006

I got hired directly into my specialty - maternity. It's an internship, but I chose that so that I'd have a guaranteed job in maternity once the internship is over. I won't have to touch another day in med-surg again. I've done 2 years in med-surg. I'm in no hurry to go back to it. The hospitals in this area - suburban - will and have hired new grads into specialties, but with long orientation periods (about 12 weeks). One of my classmates got an internship into ICU, another one got one into the ED and another one into Oncology.

As for not doing an internship first and just trying to get into a specialty job - it's a little harder to get into just about anywhere. They hire within (usually from the med-surg pool) first and then outsiders with experience and then new grads - if they even get that far.

I guess my best advice is to just try applying for the jobs in the unit(s) you want and hope for the best. The worst thing they can say is no. The best thing they can say is "you're hired!" Good luck!

MIA-RN1, RN · Aug 1, 2006

just apply for what you want. Make yourself stand out, be special but be yourself. I was determined to only work post-partum and I got it. Because that was all I applied for! There is no sense ever applying for something that you don't want to do, so just keep applying for what you want. My hospital hired a ton of new grads in June, and we went all over--med surg, ICU, Maternity (both sides), Adult care, etc. The ED is about the only place that won't hire without experience in med surg but if you have medic experience..... I say go for it.

combatmedic_91B · Aug 2, 2006

Thanks for the good advice everyone. Yes I was an army medic yes I have additional credentials and experience EMT ACLS, PALS, PEPP(advanced), BTLS(advanced) my next con ed courses will hopefully be Wilderess EMT AMLS GEMS and perhaps an ATLS audit. I dont wont and havent mentioned my extra curricular learning experiences at school. I will have the luxury of being able to wait for the right job rather than take the first job that comes along. I have been researching internships and there are some ED ones. One I saw had the intern in "other areas of the hospital" for the majority of the time with only a few months months in the ER. No mention of anythng like ACLS PALS CEN or TNCC either. What does that mean? Do they stick you in med surg for the majority of the time? I wonder if interns suddenly find themselves being told they need "more experience" in med surg before their ER portion of the program and poof a year has gone by LOL.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Aug 2, 2006

Simply ask for what you're interested in. I know it sounds simple but a "I'm only interested in ICU/ER programs for new grads, are you hiring?" lets them know "thanks but no thanks".

If you're a medic, then highlighting that experience will help. "Being a medic in the Army, I know these are the areas that interest me the most........"

Good luck.

rninme · Aug 2, 2006

Your previous experience as a medic should be a big plus for you when you go looking for a job. I was an RT for years before I graduated nursing school. I definately played up my past experience when I applied for my first nursing job... and I got it!! I floated between ICU and ED.....and my years of respiratory therapy experience were definately what got me hired as a new grad. I also had ACLS, NALS, and PALS....as well as IABP certified. Apply for the job you want....and just keep looking until you find it. Good luck to you!

combatmedic_91B · Aug 2, 2006

Thanks again one and all. Good advice. One other issue is that because the area I live in is a desirable one and has at least three ASN and at least 5-6 BSN programs dumping their graduates into the area the hospitals can afford to pick and choose This luxury is clearly reflected in their job descriptions. Ultimatelt no one can force me to do anything I dont want to do or take a job I dont want. I firmly believe you create your own opportunities. I can stay in EMS. I can apply to NP or PA school. I can apply to Medical School. The irony is that there is a nursing shortage particuliarly in med surg because of serious issues like nurse to patient ratios. Its a Catch 22 that wont change unless they hire more nurses. They wont get more nurses until conditions change. CA seems to be moving in the right direction with its new legislation. Just reading some of the posts on here from new grads who gone med surg and have had bad experiences that included having to resign from a job is enough to convince me to choose wisely whatver my options.