How easy is it to get the job of choice right after graduating nursing school?

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When I first started out in nursing scool, I wanted to work in labor and delivery. The more schooling I have completed, the more I see that most everyone else wants the same. I have made a second choice and decided I would love to work in the E.R. How likley is it that I can obtain either of these jobs right out of nursing school? What special classes can I take to obtain my goals and is there anything else I can do to get one or the other?

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It's not a an employee's market right now, so beggars can't be choosers when it comes to what facility or unit you end up working at. I would love L&D too, but am starting off in med-surge because that is where I was offered a job. I consider myself in training for the job I really want ;).

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Specializes in ER, Mother/Baby.

I guess I am very fortunate, my love is OB and ER and I was offered both. I went with OB because it is harder to get into. I guess what helped is that I worked in the ER as a student nurse and I went and got my ACLS before I even got my license. With OB, I just think she saw my enthusiasm for it in the interview. GOOD LUCK!

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So I guess that would depend where you live and what is available at the time. There are certain departments I don't want to work in. So I guess I'll have to just shop around:) Thanks for the replys.What exactly is an ACLS. What certificaations or classes can I take to make me more qualified to get into these departments

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Specializes in ER, Mother/Baby.
So I guess that would depend where you live and what is available at the time. There are certain departments I don't want to work in. So I guess I'll have to just shop around:) Thanks for the replys.What exactly is an ACLS. What certificaations or classes can I take to make me more qualified to get into these departments

ACLS-Advanced Cardiac Life Support

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I wouldn't let the crappy job market keep you from shooting for the areas that you really want, because those areas do hire even if it's few and far between at the moment. I agree with whoever suggested ACLS, and I also recommend PALS which you would need for both ER and L&D. Other than that there really isn't much you can do besides network, network, network while you're in school, and/or look into an externship or even employment as a tech in those departments.

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Would the same apply to me??? I love public health but definitely not ideal to go into as a NG... I have a public health RN job offer and I have accepted it. I haven't start it, but I feel like my foot in the door to the acute care will be forever gone... I have a whole mixure of feeling. Definitely grateful for a job but doom for no more hospital opportunity. Am I'm right about this???

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

PALS isn't going to be all that helpful in L&D. NRP would serve better in that particular area.

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Specializes in Oncology, Med-Surg, Nursery.

Yes, I was going to say, PALS wouldn't apply to L&D at all. NRP, however, would be very beneficial. :)

I always wanted to work either Nursery or NICU and it took me a year and a half before I was able to get a job in Nursery. I absolutely love it!!! I am thankful for my time I spent in Oncology/Med-Surg because the skills I learned there have been invaluable. At my hospital new graduates aren't allowed to work L&D or Nursery, and I can see why, but that is just my personal opinion. I know MANY places do hire new grads! I just see the benefits of feeling comfortable with yourself as a nurse and making those decisions you'll see you have to make in a split second before getting into a often times tense area like L&D. There isn't a lot of time to second guess yourself and you have to be quick and sure of the choices you make in lots of situations.

All you can do is keep a watch out and when you do speak with different hospitals, always ask about areas you are interested in. The worst you can be told is no, but you'd hate not to ask and find out later there had been something available.

GL!!

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Specializes in Professional Development Specialist.
I guess I am very fortunate, my love is OB and ER and I was offered both. I went with OB because it is harder to get into. I guess what helped is that I worked in the ER as a student nurse and I went and got my ACLS before I even got my license. With OB, I just think she saw my enthusiasm for it in the interview. GOOD LUCK!

A big part of this is the 3+ yrs as a tech, and 1 year as a nurse. For 3+ years you had a chance to prove yourself to your employer and 1 yr as an RN means you were hired in an entirely different job market. In THIS job market any job is hard to get. The job of your choice is a rare find.

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Specializes in ER, Mother/Baby.
A big part of this is the 3+ yrs as a tech, and 1 year as a nurse. For 3+ years you had a chance to prove yourself to your employer and 1 yr as an RN means you were hired in an entirely different job market. In THIS job market any job is hard to get. The job of your choice is a rare find.

I am just starting my first year as a RN, I haven't been a RN for a year.

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Please does anyone know what i can do to help my situation. I am a new grad LVN looking for job and its sooooooooo difficult to get any, even with agencies and nursing homes.'' No one wants a new grad and every one needs experienced hands. How do i go about this terrible situation. Thanks

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