Is it best to do a residency or get hired as a new grad?

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Specializes in Progressive Care.

Hello,

In your experience, is it more beneficial to get hired as a new grad at a hospital or get accepted into a residency program before getting hired? I'm not sure which route to go as I am graduating in August. What are the pros/cons to both options? I'm looking to work either ICU or med/surg.

Thanks!

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This one is easy. In today's economy, take the job offer. You will never know when, or if, another offer will come along.

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Specializes in Progressive Care.

Yeah, that makes sense, but in an ideal world, if I have the choice, is it more beneficial to go through a residency before starting my first nursing job? Do residencies provide more learning and make the transition smoother?

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If I had a choice, and assuming that the residency is for an area of specialty I am interested in and at a hospital I am interested in working, then I would choose the residency. Generally, the residency is a formal program geared to take the time to invest in and educate the new grad with mentors and preceptors who are genuinely interested in seeing the new nurse succeed.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Most residencies I know of ARE real jobs with real paychecks -- and are the route of choice for that hospital for hiring new grads into their system. When the formal residency is over, the resident is automatically a part of the staff.

But that is not true in 100% of the cases. So be sure to check that out for each individual program that you are considering. Find out what happens to the resident when the residency ends.

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If the residency were in my desired speciality of interest (or a speciality that I could use as a stepping stone to get to my area of speciality) then I would definitely perfer a residency. However, FYI some residencies such as Dekalb Medical Center, require that you to commit to the speciality of the residency you were trained in for 12 months. I'm sure residency rules vary from hospital-to-hospital but make sure you do your research before you agree. I know the job market is tough but you don't want to get stuck somewhere doing something you strongly dislike for a long period of time.

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not all atlanta area hospitals offered residencies, some train you for 8-12 weeks depending on the specialty. I wont be to picky

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I believe a Residency program puts you on the right path. I believe that it is a way towards management.

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