How would employers look upon this?

Nurses New Nurse

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I have just graduated and received my BScN, and I really have nothing holding me back from moving wherever I want. The area I am looking at has a lot of small hospitals, and i was thinking about working there for a year or two and then moving back home where there are large hospitals.

My dilemma is, will the managers that interview me at the large hospital look down on the fact that I would have been working at a hospital with 21 acute care beds!?

I am just worried that this decision will hinder my future job opportunities?

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

If your current long-term goal is to work for a large hospital, then move now if you can land an appropriate spot.

Good luck!

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Even though that is small, you would still be getting acute care experience...I have seen tons of posts with the same question about future hirability but the jobs in question were not acute care (outpatient clinics, LTC). Your actual experiences in an acute setting caring for patients are what the managers will look at, and what you bring to the table.

I guess it depends on your priorities right now, you can always hold out for a bigger hospital, but as a new grad with my BSN, it took me over a year to get hired, so i would have taken a job like that if it were me...

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Specializes in Peds, Float, Ambulatory, Telemetry (new).

I wouldn't worry about that. I don't think the managers say oh it was only 21 beds? They will look at your experience and how you were able to handle your patient load. If you think you could get a job in the small hospital do it, but if you can get a job in the larger hospital then go for it. Either way, it is experience under your belt. Good luck!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

LOL!

Anyone who would "look down" on working in a 22 bed facility must not be familiar with that sort of environment. RNs in small hospitals have enormous responsibility. It's not unusual for them to only have one or two RNs per shift .. and those RNs have to be the supervisor-L&D, ED, ICU, MedSurge charge, scrub nurse & ambulance dispatcher!

Large facilities may have more technology, but the "Nursing" practice at smaller hospitals is frequently much more challenging & rewarding.

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