New grad with job offer...but not excited...

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I am a new grad RN (May 2011) and have passed the NCLEX. I have been applying everywhere within 2 hours, hoping for anything in acute care. Applying to anything I can but no luck. Ultimately, I want to work at a pediatric hospital, but i realize thats probably not where I will be starting.

I was offered a job yesterday, but it is in a health clinic (family planning). It is NOT considered acute care, so I am afraid if I take the position, I will have a hard time getting back into acute care anywhere in the future. However, about half the patients seen on a daily basis are kids, which could be a great oppotunity for me to get some experience in pediatrics. Also, the position pays well with good benefits, is full-time days with NO nights or weekends and less than 2 miles from my house. I know, most new grads would be happy about a position like this, but for some reason, I'm not excited like I should be.

Has anyone had any experiences that may be similar and had success getting back into acute/ hospital setting later? I'm wondering if I take the job and work for a year to get some experience as an RN, will that be sufficient for a hospital position?? Any words of advice??

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Some experience is better than no experience, and the "not quite" acute care experience is better than a huge unemployed gap. If you have not seen it yet, a lot of hospitals are putting on their applications to not even apply if you didn't find work in the first year out of school.

Take the job. Say thanks you got it. And keep looking. Congratulations on getting hired!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Can you afford to NOT have a job? If you turn it down, you might risk having NO nursing experience a year from now, vs. a year of working as an RN.

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Specializes in ICU/UM.

Take it and see where it leads. There's nothing to lose. Worst case scenario, you hate it and move on.

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i wouldnt turn it down. Take it quick before someone else does.

you know the saying goes "its easier to find a job, when you already have a job" trust me its true. Also working in any healthcare setting will put you in a place to network and meet people that can help you in the future finding your dream job.

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I agree. Take the job! I know that many new grads want hospital jobs but acute care is not all that it's cracked up to be! And it's better to have some experience under your belt in a year than be unemployed! Congrats on finding a job that sounds wonderful! Now go, enjoy it! You've earned it!

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Congratulations on your first job. You might be more excited about it if it had taken you twice as long to get hired. ;) Take it, learn from it, do your best, and keep looking for the dream job.

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Congrats on landing your first job. Just like everyone else mentioned above, I think you should take the job and keep looking until you find something in an acute care setting, especially you'll get some experience working with kids and families. My peds instructor once said that you need to know how to take care of well kids (like developmental stages, anatomy/physiology, etc) before taking care of sick kids. Hope this helps.

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Thanks everyone for your insight and advice. Sometimes its just good to be reassured by someone else!!

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Specializes in CVICU, CCU, SICU, MICU.

I have a friend who worked mostly in community health for a couple of years. His last position was as charge nurse of a very well-known family ("free") clinic. He was accepted into UCLA's OR residency because they thought that his leadership and unique background would bring something interesting to the group. Remember, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush!! =D

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Specializes in LTC, rehab, medical review.

I'd totally take the job! Some experience is better than no experience! Congrats!

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I will re-iterate what everyone else said - take the job! Any experience is better than no experience and it is a tough job market. So, if you like the position and the clinic - other than the fact that it is not acute care - then I would take it.

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