How to decide where to work with no prior hosp exp?

[fsaav]

I have another couple years until I graduate but I've been looking through the job listings at the hospitals in my area and there are so many different units. I have no real hospital experience so I don't really know anything about the different units and what they are like. My question is, how do you decide which position to apply for not knowing anything about the unit(s)? It's just such a big decision when deciding where to work and I would hate to get stuck in a place that isn't the right fit for me. I don't know if this is even done but is there any way to shadow a nurse or some other way to get a feel for the units?

ETA: I'm currently in my first semester of actual hospital clinicals and I'm on a neuro progressive care unit.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

You will get enough shadowing of nurses in your clinicals, so most of us don't do that. Also, we use our clinical experiences to help us decide which areas we might be interested in. You should be getting a wide variety of experiences those last two years to help you make up your mind. Of course then it depends on job availability. If after you graduate you still have no clue, then start at med-surg.

Good luck!

[athena55, BSN, RN]

Hello fsaav:

Well, you stated that you have "..another couple years until..." you gradutate. My best advice would be wait until you do some of your clinicals (OB/GYN, L&D, Critical Care, Emergency/Trauma Department etc.) then you would maybe be better able to make a more informed decision.

I know that worked out very well for me. By my second year I knew where I would like to specialize.

Some people wait until graduation then apply for a position on a telemetry floor or a medical-surgical unit, work for a bit then apply for a transfer to the unit/specialty they had their "eye" on.

Try not to stress too much over this....You've got a while I would think. I would suggest you try to enjoy your educational experience, for what it is worth! {yeah, I know, I do remember what it was like in nursing school/program and believe me, I did not enjoy it, at all!}

athena

[recoveringcory]

Like others have said, wait till you experience them in school first. Then find what you like most. Do you like intense situations? Do you like babies? Mothers? Surgery? ALL SORTS OF OPTIONS!

Now, I am biased because my background is primarily ER. BUT I was a new grad going into ER. Best choice I ever made, hands down. Now, granted, the hospital I worked for required all people new to critical care/ER to go through a 3 month paid internship at the hospital ($20/hr). This was basically school work, except more intensely focused on real life situations and things you NEEDED TO KNOW. You also rotated throughout the entire critical care block to find what area best suited you. This program was FABULOUS. Learned a ton, and reinforced my want to go into ER.

My take on starting in ER: This area is purely baptism by fire. After being with a preceptor for a few months, you are set out on your own. You are forced to be in INTENSE situations at times, and are FORCED to use teamwork when the going gets tough. In addition you are FORCED to work EVERY nursing skill you learned in school on a continued basis. This simply establishes an extraordinary foundation for you as a nurse. In addition, I love the adrenaline rush with traumas/codes, etc. You basically are forced to LEARN and KNOW your shiznit, or people will die! I consider this invaluable, and truly believe when I decide to go into a different area, I'll have that solid foundation to help me excel in another area!

Hope this helps!

Cory

[momofstudent, ADN, BSN]

You will find your place just as the previous commenters mention. Cory, you confirmed my suspicions that ER nurses are addicted to adrenalin, no wonder it felt too intense for me. However a great internship or training program is absolutely invaluable. Sooo . .as a new grad go for the best training program available and try to avoid night shifts outside of Er and ICU. You get little practice and the nursing supervisors just forget that they have a a new grad there.