New Grad, don't want to work in hospital

AntMarchingRN, RN · Mar 14, 2011

I started out in a doctor's office (ped neuro) M-F 10a-6p. I was able to get a job in a hospital since then and am now working four 10 hour shifts and am much happier. I'm sure it isnt the same everywhere, I just wanted to point out that it is possible to go from MD's office to the hospital.

sandys · Mar 14, 2011

I started out of school at the surgicenter at our hospital. Absolutely loved it, but my job did not have benefits. My husband started his own business so I needed a job with benefits. I needed the M-F days schedule so I took a posiiton at our IM clinic. I took a $10 per hour cut in pay to do so, but I work four 8 hour shifts per week. So there are options out there, but you have to weigh the pros and cons.

ladybuglouRN · Mar 14, 2011

Thank you for everyones replies. First, yes, i am aware the hours that hospitals hold! One of the reasons I went into nursing was because it is so versatile and you have many options. I am leaning toward school nursing or medical group. I know I will make less money but worth it to spend that time with my children. Thanks everyone!

RNMom2010 · Mar 14, 2011

Thank you for everyones replies. First, yes, i am aware the hours that hospitals hold! One of the reasons I went into nursing was because it is so versatile and you have many options. I am leaning toward school nursing or medical group. I know I will make less money but worth it to spend that time with my children. Thanks everyone!

The lower pay is SO worth the time with my son and husband!!! :redbeathe And if you start out with the lower pay, you don't know the difference anyways!!!

time4meRN · Mar 14, 2011

May want to re think hospitals. Many different hours are available. However, being a new grad may make options narrow no matter where you go. Dr's offices are good for day jobs but, usually Dr's use CMA's or LPN's. If a physician has an RN , the RN is usually very experienced with their particular field. (dr's want rn's that are their right hand, don't want to have to train them in the basics, usually the rn's are well advanced in experience). Not saying can't be done but may be difficult and take a long time to do. Even RN's that are new grads are having some difficulty finding jobs. I"m like others, I wish you luck but what did you think nurses hours were when in nursing school?

SweetheartRN · Mar 14, 2011

Why is there a thought process going on about if a nurse starts in a doctors office she/he will never be able to work in the hospital? Does it reflect that badly on a resume'? I thought any experience is better than none plus new grads go to the hospital so why would a nurse coming from a doctors office be worse than that?

Or is it about the fact that a nurse would be going from a slower pace to a faster pace and the nurse would have a hard time with it?

Caffeine_IV · Mar 14, 2011

The jobs are out there but there is competition for each and every one depending on your location.

I would say that a high number people would like a day job with no weekends and holidays.

Each facility is unique in the type of experience they like but the hospital (standard or LTACH) is the only thing that will give you acute care experience.

If you have no desire for it, so be it and enjoy a non bedside job.

Have you looked at the available jobs in your area?

allnurses Guide · Mar 15, 2011

Why is there a thought process going on about if a nurse starts in a doctors office she/he will never be able to work in the hospital? Does it reflect that badly on a resume'? I thought any experience is better than none plus new grads go to the hospital so why would a nurse coming from a doctors office be worse than that?
Or is it about the fact that a nurse would be going from a slower pace to a faster pace and the nurse would have a hard time with it?

I think it's because traditionally the first few years out of school were viewed as the time period where you blended the things you learn in school with the hands-on experience of coping with your own full load of patients, learning and practicing a wide variety of skills, learning to interact with co-workers, delegate, manage time, react to the unexpected, etc.

I was always glad I did that, because it gave me the confidence to know I could.. But everyone is different, and now a new grad can't waltz right in to a job right after graduation, something that never entered our minds until recently. People who view the first job out of school in narrow terms like that anymore are unfairly judging new nurses based on a model that for the near future at least, is out of their hands -- there is no choice when your family needs food and a roof over their head!

mykrosphere · Mar 15, 2011

my first job after graduating was in dialysis.

it was 4-10 hour shifts between 10am-around 8pm.

of course there is first shift also which starts out super early (i think ours was from 6am-2pm) but its an option. we did work every other holiday though....but off for the sunday after christmas and new years

i learned a lot in dialysis too.......!!

if youre worried about pay and all that, the hospital would be your best bet.

but children never become children again.....youre wise not to want to miss out

also, there are a lot of places that hire in to first shift because a lot of people do not want to leave the "comfort" (i am a night shifter going on 11 years) of night shift

carolmaccas66, BSN, RN · Mar 17, 2011

I would urge you very strongly to try and get some critical care hospital experience, such as on a med/surg ward. The experience is fantastic and will stand you in good stead for better jobs later on. It teaches you time management, interpersonal skills, and other skills you will need later on.

Also you could probably change shifts if you needed to with other nurses. This is quite common in our big Oz teaching hospitals, so it is doable. Many, many people have kids to cater for and care for, and NUMs/NMs know this.

Why don't you do agency nursing, then you could perhaps choose your own days & hours to work, and possibly where u want to work?

I also agree respectfully with some of the other posters. It always amazes me that young people go into nursing, then don't want to do shiftwork, don't want to do nights, don't want to do the hard slog.I wonder many times what they are teaching people in nursing school now. What did you think you would be doing as a nurse or where you would be working? Many nurses are employed in hospitals. I wonder if the colleges/teaching facilities are giving people the wrong image of nursing.

And for the record, the best and most efficient nurses I have worked with have some or many years of experience in hospital nursing - then they move onto something else. They're well trained, efficient, have good time management and honestly know their stuff.

Lillylyle · Mar 31, 2011

I would urge you very strongly to try and get some critical care hospital experience, such as on a med/surg ward. The experience is fantastic and will stand you in good stead for better jobs later on. It teaches you time management, interpersonal skills, and other skills you will need later on.
Also you could probably change shifts if you needed to with other nurses. This is quite common in our big Oz teaching hospitals, so it is doable. Many, many people have kids to cater for and care for, and NUMs/NMs know this.
Why don't you do agency nursing, then you could perhaps choose your own days & hours to work, and possibly where u want to work?
I also agree respectfully with some of the other posters. It always amazes me that young people go into nursing, then don't want to do shiftwork, don't want to do nights, don't want to do the hard slog.I wonder many times what they are teaching people in nursing school now. What did you think you would be doing as a nurse or where you would be working? Many nurses are employed in hospitals. I wonder if the colleges/teaching facilities are giving people the wrong image of nursing.
And for the record, the best and most efficient nurses I have worked with have some or many years of experience in hospital nursing - then they move onto something else. They're well trained, efficient, have good time management and honestly know their stuff.

But what happens when a hospitals are not hiring? I too choose nursing for the versatility and would prefer to work in a hospital...i dont care how long the shift is or working holidays...nursing is just something i have always wanted to do...but I have had a few recruiters tell me get some med/surg experience...and im sitting here thinking to myself but im applying to a med/surg floor.