To be or not to be... that is the question

Specialties MDS

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Step-down and ICU.

I was an lpn for 6yrs and now have my RN BSN passed my NCLEX in Apr. New grad jobs are so hard to find and i dont mind being anMDS nurse have been doing it a little less than a yr now..so I still have more to learn...but my question is what is the career path for an MDS /Assessment nurse. I do have an opportunity to accept a position out of state in acute care. I am not sure if I would be offered another acute care position if i dont do it now. If i decide to change my specialty in a few yrs I am feeling like I will not be hired because i have no acute care experience. Has any other nurses in MDS had this problem esp in today's nursing environment. Having a hard time deciding what to do as it will impact the rest of my nursing career. :confused:

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

It is definitely more difficult to land an acute-care position when all your experience is in LTC, than vice-versa. Since you have the choice between them, you would be well advised to go for the hospital job first, then move back into LTC or MDS nursing later on when you want to do something a little less intense.

I'm one of the few nurses I know who have transitioned back and forth between acute care floor nursing and LTC/administration several times during my 14 years as an RN; but those times are probably over for good as I'm a broken-down old war-horse now and career mobility isn't what it used to be, especially for older nurses and those without advanced degrees. That's not the end of the world; there are still opportunities out there if you have sharp eyes and can sell your abilities well. But if I were a young new grad with a BSN, I'd definitely jump at the acute-care opportunity.

Best of luck to you, and please let us know what you decide.:)

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Step-down and ICU.

Thanks for your insight and it is kinda what i am thinking ...but i really need the validation. I have always wanted to do travel nsg and enjoyed ICU as a student and fear that i would kick myself later for not taking the opportunity while I have it. I have always had a little nsg career "ADD" and main reason why I enjoy the profession so much...for the diversity in the field. Thanks again :redpinkhe:nurse:

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