How long did you stay on your first nursing job?

Becky RN · Apr 7, 2000

I only have one little piece of advice from one who has been a nurse forever. Nursing is versatile but when you do find something that doesn't bore you or frustrate you too much try to stay with it. It's a great feeling to be good at what you are doing, and have a little experience to support it. Becky RN

iamme457 · Apr 7, 2000

My first job as an RN was in a med-surg unit, it lasted about 9 months. I was put in charge as a GN...this was done by using the RN at the far end of the hall in the telemetry unit to take verbal orders for me. I had 38 beds, she had 16. This was in 1992, a time of overbundance of nurses....what a hoax. We were understaffed more often than not. No one had much experience, if I hadnt worked as an aid then as a paramedic and a unit clerk in an ED I would have been overwhelmed. I transferred to the ICU and stayed there for another 2 1/2 years. It was a med/surg and CVICU, we took everything except trauma, kids and childbirth. Fresh openheart patients, we were next to the OR so they didnt recovery room them, they just rolled em to us, still paralyzed and cold as can be. From there I went to a combination job of a specialty flight team and ICU nursing. I worked a number of days each schedule as the transport/flight nurse and the rest of my 40 hour a week schedule was in the ICU. After 3 years of that I traveled for a year and then went back to the last ICU where I was on the flight team. That is where I am now but am not really challenged most of the time. Dont know where I am headed next, we will see.

Deanna

oramar · Apr 8, 2000

Right out of ADN school I went to work in a very large teaching facility on a cardiac unit the specialized in heart transplants. Whew was I over whelmed, I lasted two years. The best job I ever had was as a transport nurse in a community hospital, I road ambulances all day long to many different places. It was not hard work and the medics did most of the lifting. I loved it. However downsizing came and the hospital I worked for decided to save money by sending the patients on ambulances without nurses. They let the medics and EMTs do the nursing care. I have never really been happy since.

Suzanne · Apr 17, 2000

My first job was my training. I did hospital based training for 3 years. Never really had to make a choice for we were moved around as the need arose in the places I worked.

I suggest you stick it out for the year especially if you can get certification for you experience. You never know when you just may need it to get a job.

NurseRachet · Apr 18, 2000

Hello. I also started out in the OR. I worked there for about 5 years, got bored, and went to work for a surgeon as a private scrub nurse for about 4 years. Pay was not good, so returned to the OR for about 8 months and quit, as I ran into him all the time I worked, or had to scrub for him - ugh! I then took a night relief charge nurse job on the Orthopedic floor. Worked there for 8 months and quit the hospital. I then worked for the VA Pscy hospital for 11 years. I have since returned to the general hospital. Hired in on the med/surg floor and worked 8 months, have now been in management for the past 9 years. In the past 2 years, I have been taking training in electronic documentation form design, and hopefully will do this full time in the near future. Oh yes, I am 56 years old and have been in nursing for many years. I say go for what ever makes you happy in your career, that is what makes nursing such a great profession, so many opportunities. You go girl!

peck13 · Apr 18, 2000

14 years nest month and counting!!! i am part time there and work at another hospital for a change of pace, but like the unit.

nurse/mom · Apr 19, 2000

I still enjoy nursing! My first job was on a med/surg unit right after graduation at a city/county hospital. I stayed there 2 1/2 years. I transfered to the MICU/CCU where I worked over 5 years, then to the trauma ICU,then PACU/Day Surg. Total in that hospital was over 13 years and I still have wonderful memories. I returned to the MICU to a management position 2 years later. I now work in an ER full time and agency to various city ICU's part time. You just have to find your place, sometimes it takes a while, but if nursing is what you want to do, it will be worth it! Don't let anyone make your choices for you and don't let the negative people in our profession get you down/make you second guess. Good Luck!!

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