Is this where to start?

Nurses New Nurse

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I am a new grad who graduated July 2009 and have been applying to every hospital in the area including two hours away. Have not had one call back, except the ones telling me they aren't hiring new grads at this time. So I put in an application to a local medical school/research center for a position. I have been to two interviews with them and feel pretty positive I am going to get an offer. They are looking for a nurse to help run their grant funded clinic and outreach program for the area. The clinic is disease specific. There will be alot of administration type duties but also patient teaching, counseling, and assisting with examinations.

My concern is lack of gaining or losing my clinical skills, well whatever ones I still might have since being out of nursing school so long. This job is fulltime so it's not like I could take a hospital job on top of it especially if I would have to orient as a new grad which is a fulltime job as well. The job being offered is something I may have seen myself doing after I decided floor nursing wasn't for me or after I gained some RN clinical experience. Is ok to just jump ahead...I don't want to miss a great opportunity.

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Specializes in Cardiac.

Go for it! Take what you can get. Who knows you might stay there for a while or do some other type of work and never do floor nursing! Now that would be something. If you ever decide to do floor nursing any type of work will look better than not having done ANYTHING for such a long period of time.

Get that paycheck! Good luck.

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Specializes in Medical ICU, Orthopedics.

I definitely agree, go for it! A "new grad" just started on my floor- she had been working as a clerk in the hospital since nursing school graduation and she is doing great, even though she didn't do floor nursing for a year after graduation. If you decide to move on you can always take a refresher course!

Good luck! :)

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Specializes in NICU Level III.

You say you haven't had call backs...but have YOU called them back?

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I appreciate all the encouragement! Thank you.

NeoNurse TX: Yes, I have made contact with nurse managers on floors that I had previous clinicals or preceptorship on. One of the nurse managers was actually a clinical instructor of mine. She has hired several of the new grads I graduated with but currently doesn't have any available positions.

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I heard back today and I got the position! I am still uncertain but I will go for it, never know till you try. :D

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Specializes in Gerontology & Med/Surge.

I would take the positoin. Get what ever kind of experience you can. You never know when that might come handy and when you need it. Good luck.

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