New Grad; Tough Market; Two jobs

[ambyboombastic]

So the Philadelphia area is absolutely saturated with nursing positions. I've applied outside of the area and have been offered 2 very different positions. each part time, every other weekend. Doing both would be hard because I'm in school FT. One is in adolescent psych and one is in an assisted living facility.

What do I do?! the assisted living facility would give me more experience to work in a hospital but the psych field fascinates me more and I have experience working with adolescents. I'm afraid if I pick the psych position it will make me less marketable for an assortment of other positions down the line, like in a hospital.

these are the only positions that have come my way. any advice?

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

I actually think that the psych position would give you more opportunities in the future. Psych could at least be considered acute care. I don't think assisted living would be considered great experience if you are looking to move into a hospital setting. If psych interests you more, go for that one.

[lampost20]

My first Nursing Job was in Psych and I am now and forever a Pysch Nurse no other job will touch me with a ten foot pole. Your first job is going to be what ur going to do for the rest of ur life. Bar none

[lampost20]

At least I dont get sick all the time.

[poopprincess]

I respectfully disagree with the first job that you get is where you stay for the rest of your career. I know several people who have changed specialties since graduating. Once one has a 1-2 yrs. experience under their belt, it's common for them to try new floors. As long as they have acute care/med-surg background it's easy too. We just had someone leave our facility (med-surg) after only 6 mo. of being a nurse to go to ICU. However, I do believe that it is more difficult to get out of psych when you start there. It can be still be done though, my facility just hired a nurse who had spent the last 20 yrs. in psych.