New Grad in the Bay Area: Exploring Alternative Nursing Paths and Seeking Advice!

[Kianacat]

For those who didn't start their career in a hospital, what has your experience been like? Do you regret it? Did you eventually transition to a hospital? I'm curious about alternative paths in case I don't get into a new grad program. My long-term goal is to work in home care or hospice, and I know inpatient experience would be ideal for that. However, it's challenging to get hospital experience in the Bay Area. I'd love to hear about different paths and experiences. Thank you!

[FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN]

If you want to work in home care or hospice long term, I think it's fine to start there. You're more likely to get a position in home care. In my area home care agencies are beefing up their education and training new grads. Most hospices don't accept new grads, but I did see an exception once. It is also easy to transition from home care to hospice.

I did start in a hospital, on a psych unit in a regular hospital. I didn't like it, and went to community psych which I loved. I now work in hospice.  

I always encourage new grads to go for the thing they want to do. Nursing is hard, but it's worth it if it's what you want. You won't have the energy to learn if you go to a specialty you're not interested in. I started in psych because I wanted that. I went to community psych because I wanted to. Then I went to hospice because I wanted to.  If you change your mind later, you can always change specialties later.  I'm proof that it's doable.