Need advice in starting out as a New Grad

[NeBin]

I was just hired as a new grad for a Telemetry Unit, although I always had a strong desire to work in women's services like Labor and Delivery... unfortunately I became desperate to find a job since it's been so cut throat for hiring new grads lately in southern California. I haven't signed any hire papers yet, though its scheduled for next week. All the hiring for new grad programs for most hospitals start in February... Should I wait and hold off this Telemetry position and apply for a position I really wanted to start my career in?

I spoke with a nurse recruiter this morning and he told me that hiring new grads is very competitive right now and out of 250 applicants they will only take 20 new grads.. I really desire working on a Labor and delivery unit and want to start my career on such a unit, not telemetry, although I feel I was lucky enough to get hired since I've been job hunting for 4 months now... but I don't want to put all my eggs in basket... what to do.. any advice?

[tammy777]

No matter what area of nursing you start in, it's hard work and there is a huge learning curve. I'm a new grad (as of June 08) and it took me several months to land my first job... I had no idea what a feat that would be... I still ended up having to move 5 hours from home to get that first job, which happened to be in L&D which is what I wanted. I have now been surprised at exactly how much work being an L&D nurse is. There is so much to learn, and I'm at a busy hospital so it can get pretty crazy. I don't know if my first year of nursing would be any easier no matter what unit I started on. My opinion is that it will take a long time to get truely comfomfortable in any nursing job because nursing is HARD work. But, it does seem that it's a lot harder to get into a specialty as a new grad, so I don't know if holding out would be a good idea (I don't know what the new grad market is like in your area). Although, if you are willing to move to Santa Maria (an hour north of Santa Barbara) I know my hospital hires new grads into L&D with a 6 month preceptorship and 12 weeks of didactic. It's Marian Medical Center, you can PM me if you have questions. Good luck to you, let us know what you decide.

[sw33tlyn16]

I would say take the job especially if you are living in So. Cal. and plan to stay in So. Cali. It is difficult to have the dream job as a new grad as they have stated so many times how easy it would be. Once you have your foundations down, and since telemetry is semi-intense, you can move your way up to L and D. I want to work in CC, and I just got hired on a MS floor. I'm going to take the offer because what happens if I hold and wait for another offer, and I don't get that other offer? It's really up to you to make this decision. I wish you the best of luck.

[JazzyNursie87]

Ahhh...they never told us how hard it would be finding a job after nursing school, did they? I figured it would be super easy since there is such a high demand for nurses...however, there are tons of new grads vying for positions. It took me more than a month to find my current position. I only found it because I became very assertive, and I started calling directors to schedule interviews. But I think I'm where I want to be

I think you should get your foot in the door with the position this hospital offered you if that's where you want to be. Although your true love is labor and delivery, I'm sure you will learn a lot of great information on the Tele floor....and you don't have to stay there forever. That would be one thing I would definitely ask when signing your papers..."How long to I have to stay here before I can transfer?". While your there, you can maybe get to know some of the people in L&D and let this networking get the word out of what your intentions are. It's definitely good to have a background in Tele. Pregnant/postpartum mom's sometimes have systemic (including heart) troubles. Congratulations and good luck to you!

[Dalla]

Definitely take the job in tele. I just graduated in Dec. and passed the boards last week. I also want to work L&D because I would like to get a masters degree in midwifery. But hospital here in WI aren't hiring new grads much. I am being forced to look for a job at nursing homes. At least being in the hospital is closer to L&D!

Get in, learn all you can, and transfer at the first opportunity.

[Reddy,RN]

I agree to get in and transfer ASAP. Whatever the answers about a transfer, do you really need to know them when you are signing papers? Maybe holding off on those sorts of questions would keep you from sounding like you aren't happy before you even work a day.

[Rook]

I work in Tele you'll like it and you'll also get ALCS certified to boot. Perhaps you might even get a chance to get CCRN after a year as well. Given that L&D pts can go from fine to critical in a snap of a finger this exp will be invaluable. There is alot that can be applied what you learn in Tele that you could take into Labor and Deliverly as well such as knowledge of cardiology drugs, interpreting EKGs, and knowledge about BPs. Once you get a year of experience in you should be able to transfer. One reason why I took Tele is that the patients are stable and you usually only have usually 4 pts/shift. Also from what I hear if you can do Tele you can work anywhere.

Just don't go to the unit and make it known to your preceptor/co-workers that you are only here temporarily and you're going to L&D the 1st opportunity you get and this is just a stepping stone. That's the easiest why to get tuned out.

[RNPatty]

I would take the job. I am a new grad myself. I just got a job offer last week after three months of looking. I am so happy to have one, I think I did a dance. If you turn it down, who knows when you will get a job offer again. You will still get some training you need in tele that you can use on L & D, so it is not a complete waste of time.

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

nursing is nursing.... none of it is a waste of time if you are learning to better care for your patients.