Is it mandatory to work in a hospital setting straight out of school?

[raspysunny]

Is it possible to just graduate, become licsensed, then look for a job outside of the hospital?

Is this looked at as lack of experience if you don't start off in the hospital?

Does everyone have to start off in the hospital first, and then branch out?

What do you think and/or What are your experiences?

[loriangel14, RN]

No it's not necessary to work in a hospital right out of school.Many people work in other settings and it doesn't harm your chances of a hospital job later.You are still getting nursing experience even in a nonhospital environment.While I did start off in a hospital many of my classmates started off in LTC and moved on to jobs at the hospital later on.Best of luck.

[kristin6727]

I have heard that a hospital is the best place to start because that is where you will do the most. I plan on starting in a hospital. I want nothing to do with a nursing home. I am just afraid of losing all my skills that I will learn while in school and then have a hard time getting into a hospital later.

[raspysunny]

Both of you have good points. I would imagine one "would" lose learned skills working in areas outside of the hospital. Is this true?

Any other views on this?

[nohika]

Both of you have good points. I would imagine one "would" lose learned skills working in areas outside of the hospital. Is this true?

Any other views on this?

There's the phrase "use it or lose it" that applies quite nicely. It is definitely not mandatory to start in a hospital, but generally it will give you the broadest base of experience.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

Both of you have good points. I would imagine one "would" lose learned skills working in areas outside of the hospital. Is this true?

Any other views on this?

It depends on the environment. What skills are you worried about losing? I think LTC is somewhere where you can fine-tune a lot of nursing skills... there's a big push to get people out of the hospital and, depending on the specific facility, you can have patients in LTC with trachs, G-tubes, CVLs, chronic vents, etc.

You do not HAVE to start out in the hospital by any means. Starting outside of the hospital is becoming more and more common, IMO, because hospital jobs are few and far between. When I worked in the hospital (I did start there as a new grad), I worked with people who had started in outpatient settings or schools and transitioned just fine.

[raspysunny]

Thanks. Really great insight.

[newrnltc]

I think its not so much "losing your skills" it's more like using different skills.

IVs and fancy monitors are not the entirety of nursing!

Where ever you go, YOUR nursing skills will add value:

- notice things a busy doctor or co worker may have missed! recognize when something (i.e. lab) is wrong and act accordingly!

- take the extra few minutes to make sure patient understands what is going on or offer support!

- identify safety risks and increase the standards/efficiency of your workplace!

- learn to be a good team member, if you can delegate it you better be able to know how to do it yourself!

- fine tune your communication, hands on and organizational skills! stay up to date on the issues current to your specialty!

There's new things to learn everyday if you look closely. if you start feeling restless you can get a 2nd job per diem and apply to a different specialty. But based on my exp of 3 nursing jobs (none in the hospital) every place has something to teach you. good luck! :)