Is it generally easy to make friends in new grad RN programs?

[superbity]

Reposting from another thread on here... I'm going to be graduating this May, and applying to a lot of new grad programs both in-state and out-of-state. I know it shouldn't be my primary concern but I'm a little apprehensive at the thought of potentially moving away from all my friends and family. Are new grad residency programs pretty conducive to making friends and meeting people? Do cohorts generally get pretty close, like they do in nursing school, or are people more focused on work and less open to hanging out?

[caliotter3]

It is probably a truism that most people go to work to work not to engage in their social life. Not to say you wouldn't make a good friend, it could happen. Not to say you wouldn't find the love of your life even. That can happen too. Just not events that you should be expecting. If you focus too much on socializing, you might not get your feet on the ground enough to succeed in your job. Almost all new nurses find their hands full trying to succeed at their first job. That is where most people will advise you to place your priorities.

[TX_Engr2RN]

Your focus as a new grad should be on your job and gaining skills rather than socializing. With that being said... Depending on the unit you end up, you may find yourself a tight-knit family.

I ended up with 2 options at a hospital where I had my last clinical. I felt it would better serve me to start on Telemetry before going to ICU, and that was exactly what I did. My Telemetry unit was very good to me. They took me under their wings and were very social so they always had family gatherings on the unit or their homes. After 3 years, I moved to ICU. I love ICU work and my ICU team. I've made some lasting friendships in ICU, but that close-knit family feeling was not there like in Telemetry. Good luck on your next adventure!

[acmt27, BSN, RN]

It all completely depends on where you end up. I have friends who can't stand some of their coworkers, don't feel welcomed on their floor, or are put off by hearing nurses gossip about other nurses. But I have had an incredible experience in my first year! I love everyone I work with, there's no cattiness, and we all help each out and lend a hand when needed! If you're nervous about the people you could be with, look into whether you would be able to shadow on a floor you're applying to. I did that for my job (the hiring director was impressed by the interest and initiative, btw) and was able to see how well people got along. I wouldn't worry as much about making friends in your residency cohort. My cohort met for 4 hours per month for a year, and only a few of us worked together, so I didn't spend nearly as much time with them as with the rest of my coworkers.