New Grad Indecision

[rnofsunshine]

Hi there! I could use a bit of advice as a new grad.

I shadowed a position in an LTAC today and was a bit disappointed, but it is the only job that has interviewed me since the end of April. My state was hit pretty hard with COVID-19, and I just got licensed middle of June. I was told LTAC could be a great learning experience, but I want to become an Acute Care NP within the next 5 years. Would LTAC give me enough experience for ACNP?

Furthermore, there is a new grad residency that I want to apply to as well which starts in September and new grads get to cycle through ICUs and choose which they like best and get a permanent FTE (0.9) position there. I love this idea but it starts so late and I feel a lot of pressure from my family just to get a job and stop being so "picky."

But when I was at the LTAC, it just didn't feel like me. I like being in a patient's room for 3+ hours because of their acuity. I didn't get a good feel of the LTAC patient's acuity, but I just feel pressure to say yes and stop being so picky.

So does LTAC give good experience or should I hope I get into the ICU residency?

~RN of Sunshine

[RNNPICU, BSN, RN]

1 minute ago, rnofsunshine said:

I thought that too! But I asked the HR person and it turns out it’s the only unit in the whole hospital that has open positions.

Either way, I appreciate your input.

But again, they didn't throw out your application, if there were no other positions, they still wanted you.

?

[beekee]

3 minutes ago, rnofsunshine said:

But I asked the HR person and it turns out it’s the only unit in the whole hospital that has open positions.

Ummmm....so you and every other new graduate are competing for an extremely small pool of jobs. The LTACH job will teach you a ton. It won’t be your last job and it’ll be good experience. You won’t have to worry about not having enough to do, I promise.

[rnofsunshine, BSN]

6 minutes ago, beekee said:

Ummmm....so you and every other new graduate are competing for an extremely small pool of jobs. The LTACH job will teach you a ton. It won’t be your last job and it’ll be good experience. You won’t have to worry about not having enough to do, I promise.

This isn’t the only hospital I’ve applied to. I’ve applied to like 7. I haven’t been offered the LTAC job yet. The reason I’m worried is wanting to get into NP school within 2 years of working full time. So whatever job I take now may very well be my only job considering many hospitals in my area require 18 months to stay on one unit before moving internally.