New Grads Out Side the Hospital?

gradgirl1223 · Feb 25, 2010

I have a friend who does research as a new grad and another who works a 9 to 5 job with weekends off at a cancer treatment center, so yes I have seen it happen but Im told that bed side experience is very helpful your first year out

TinyNurse79 · Feb 25, 2010

I have a friend who does research as a new grad and another who works a 9 to 5 job with weekends off at a cancer treatment center, so yes I have seen it happen but Im told that bed side experience is very helpful your first year out

where does your friend who does the research live? I really liked my Nursing Research class.

**NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN** · Feb 25, 2010

There's a lot of variety

Public Health nurse, community clinics, urgent cares, nursing homes.

Group homes (with people such as developmentally disabled). Insurance companies, etc. Though the economy has unfortunately hit everywhere, but thinking outside the box may help.

eastbayali · Feb 25, 2010

I graduated in May and looked everywhere for a job. I began volunteering at a non-profit clinic and they eventually hired me! I don't get paid as well as my friends in the hospitals, but it is a 9-5 job, no weekends, no holidays. For my own sake, I wish I had more experience/knowledge (such as from a year of med-surg), but I work with some wonderful providers who are very supportive and helpful.

CFitzRN, ADN · Feb 25, 2010

I know it is a bad economy right now...BUT
Do new grads have to start out in the hospital? Other than nursing homes, what options are their for a new grad away from the bed side for a new BSN

I was hired as a new grad at my local hospital's L&D unit. After weeks of suffering (I did learn but found the hospital to be incredibly oppressive), and trying to go from days to nights (I was hired as a night nurse) and finding it next to impossible, I chose to leave the job. I realized hospital nursing was absolutely not for me. So long story short I am working 3 jobs PRN - as a post-op recovery nurse in the Endoscopy unit at a Gastro practice, and a family medicine nurse at 2 different independently-owned family practices. You don't have to work in the hospital as a new grad, but if you can stand it, I would recommend trying it for a year on a medical or surgical unit (or tele, etc). You will learn so much and after a year of that, you will be able to go almost anywhere you want, including home care, hospice, or any specialty practice. I wish you the best!

TinyNurse79 · Feb 25, 2010

I was hired as a new grad at my local hospital's L&D unit. After weeks of suffering (I did learn but found the hospital to be incredibly oppressive), and trying to go from days to nights (I was hired as a night nurse) and finding it next to impossible, I chose to leave the job. I realized hospital nursing was absolutely not for me. So long story short I am working 3 jobs PRN - as a post-op recovery nurse in the Endoscopy unit at a Gastro practice, and a family medicine nurse at 2 different independently-owned family practices. You don't have to work in the hospital as a new grad, but if you can stand it, I would recommend trying it for a year on a medical or surgical unit (or tele, etc). You will learn so much and after a year of that, you will be able to go almost anywhere you want, including home care, hospice, or any specialty practice. I wish you the best!

But what if you are in a spacialty unit like OB, ICU, Dyalysis, step down teley, cath lab (ranted some of these places wont have many if any newgrads

gradgirl1223 · Feb 25, 2010

she lives in tampa i dont know how she got the job but she somehow manged to, i dont think she is on all nurses but if you want her email i will ask her if i can give it to you

elleNY · Feb 25, 2010

If you have a BSN, these might be options: Pharma/Biotech sales if you have any kind of sales background (although his field if seeing layoffs), entry level medical writer/medical communications... there's also working in a docor's office, grad school...Perhaps even doing insurance or insurance sales...administrative work in health related field...A few nontraditional ideas..

Elle

CFitzRN, ADN · Feb 25, 2010

But what if you are in a spacialty unit like OB, ICU, Dyalysis, step down teley, cath lab (ranted some of these places wont have many if any newgrads

I'm sorry, I'm not really following. What are you asking me? (not being snarky, just not sure what you're asking me)

WindwardOahuRN, RN · Feb 26, 2010

If your ultimate goal is to work in a hospital then I think it would be best to seek out a hospital position. If you never see yourself working in a hospital environment then it might be okay to seek employment in another area.

The problem is if you decide later that you want to work in a hospital it's most likely that any non-hospital experience (with the exception of specialty areas like endo or free-standing cardio labs) would not be considered when you apply for that hospital job.

Not all nurses go into hospital nursing. You'll find your niche, eventually, but you don't want to shut down your options from the beginning.

Years ago, when there was a huge shortage, nurses could bounce around from job to job and facilities would find a spot for anyone looking for a position. There were so many openings that they could find something for just about any skill and experience level. I saw nurses who had not worked in many years, and only briefly, hired and trained for hospital positions.

Not now, however. Whole new ball game.

So be careful that you're not shutting doors that will be very difficult to open later.