Need some help please!

[jkim951]

I had an interview today and received a job offer at a nursing home which only had a psych unit. For the last two months, I have been looking for a job to no avail, because I am a new RN grad with no experience. Would I be dumb to not take this job in this economy? Pay is good, but I do not want to lose my med surg skills, and not have furture opportunities in a med surg unit. What should I do, take this job and stay for a year to gain experience? Or should I continue applying for a rn position at a hospital?

[ga*gal]

I am an RN would a year ago went back to work after being out of the workplace for several years. Feeling very much like a new grad, I essentially was in the eyes of most of the employer's positions I applied for. Because I had worked part-time in a methadone clinic for awhile, when I returned to work, I landed a job in an acute psychiatric hospital. Working in acute psych facility, you will find that you will utilize some med- surg skills. Definitely not as many however, but psych patients will have a host of medical issues that you will be treating as well. My advice would be to take the job, work 6 months or so, then begin applying for med-surg jobs. That way, you will have some RN experience, you will have professional references- from the DON, physicians you get to know, other RNs, etc. You may even meet someone who has an 'in' at your dream job. You can tweak your resume to reflect the med-surg skills you will, in fact, do. I work with many new grads who have done exactly that and have been able to move on to jobs that are of more interest. You never know, you may even like it and find it to be a career calling :) In this market, many hospitals are not doing the training they used to- the psych experience will be beneficial, even for a short time if that is what you choose. Your new behavioral health skills will come in handy in any speciality you ultimately pursue. Go for it!

Best of Luck!

[rcristoLPN2010]

Lucky for you! in this economy and no hospitals or any nursing place hiring for new grads. I'd say ...TAKE IT!!...I would take it in a minute. I am an LVN and wanted a job so much and someone who can hire me and give me the training and experience i need. I would be so grateful even with 15 dollars for a start. Just need to get in and at least earn something and get out of my sister's place and have my own privacy. Thank you!! GO TAKE IT!!