Job options you never knew about, but wish you did as new RN?

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Just passed NCLEX and was thinking about different job options other than the typical med surg Rn in a hospital setting.

Veterans association hospital- hear they have great benefits, get paid less hourly. Work 20 years then get 20 years retirement.

Prison RN- Hear they get paid more per hour due to setting.

Research RN- can't find a lot of info on this but a friend mentioned it and just that she loves her job and makes bank compared to a RN in med surg

travel/ home care- ?

Army- sadly need a BA for this

If anyone has useful links to any of these areas in nursing or personal experience please share

pros vs cons

pay

working conditions

benefits

pt/client ratio

hours

etc.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

I would have loved to know about all of the opportunities that existed away from the bedside, such as community health. Especially once I realized that one doesn't have to put in time at a hospital to be considered a nurse: that title is conferred upon passing the NCLEX :)

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to all- maybe post up some info about what you do, how you found that area etc, and any other info you wish.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

I work in psych. I chose it over a medical specialty because it had better hours (I had a small child at the time), and I've never regretted it. I made more than med-surg new grads. I also didn't feel my like first year suffered from not being in med-surg because I learned all the basics of prioritization, time management, med administration, assessment (yes, we do physical assessments in psych!) and delegation as they did. I just had to use a somewhat different skill set.

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Informatics. Did not know this existed until a few months ago. Unfortunately there are no nursing informatics programs in my state.

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what is informatics related to nursing from what youve read

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sounds interesting, but you need your BA in nursing and it's a masters program, so you ened mroe schooling i take it a regualr assicaites degree RN can't get this job?

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In the hospital I work in - informatics specialist are really the nurses who show an aptitude. Very few of them actually have a degree in informatics.

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so they are the ones that set up/test/ implement things like computer charting?

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Specializes in Rehab, critical care.

It is good that you're looking into all options as a new nurse, but honestly, you're most likely to get a job as a hospital, LTC/rehab, or psych nurse, what most people think of as "typical" nursing jobs, because the "different" nursing jobs usually require experience. Doesn't hurt to apply for something different, and there are exceptions where new nurses end up as public health, school nurses etc, but I wouldn't expect it.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

did not realize years ago how many teaching (with pay!) opportunities exist. Everything from teaching adjunct in a nursing school to precepting a student (if facility pays for this) and teaching BLS, ACLS, etc. Great way to pick up extra cash

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Specializes in Oncology.
prison rn- hear they get paid more per hour due to setting.

[color=#9933ff]i have worked in a prison for the past 2 years. when i first started i loved it. it wasn't "floor" nursing. i was doing psych.

fast forward 2 years later and i hate it. i don't like dealing with beligerant, manipulating, and malingering inmates. they don't care what you do for them as long as you're doing something for them. they gun (masturbate) you, cuss you, and are just ungrateful people. they think they are "entitled" because they are in prison.

anyway---yes you might make more, but to be honest, the stress isn't worth it. i have a job interview friday for an oncology position. i am ready to get back to the hospital setting.

p.s.--sorry for the rant

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