New Grads

Still haven't decided. I have a couple ideas in mind but I'm not really married to any of them

I didn't know what I wanted to specialize in during school and I still have no idea. BUT I do know that I've never had a desire to be in any of the sought after specialties (L&D, ICU, NICU) and think I may be drawn more to non-acute care settings.

I loved the experience of being a CNA at a long-term care facility: getting to know the patient's quirks and preferences, finding ways to connect to them at whatever level they were at... loved it. I went to acute care on a med-surg floor for the experience shortly before beginning nursing school. I did learn A LOT - including the fact that I hated med/surg: my strengths as a caregiver do not align with it. I always loved end-of-life care, and wanted to go into Hospice.

I'm a new grad and I have been offered a job in the inpatient unit at my local Hospice. I put in the application as a "reaching for the stars" thing; my local Hospice is very well-regarded. I did not expect to get the position. I thought I'd get there after "doing my time" on med/surg.

I know new grads are not encouraged to start there....but the heart wants what it wants, and I've been given the opportunity. Hospice care incorporates a lot of what I consider to be my strengths as a caregiver, while also challenging me in new ways. We'll see how it pans out, but I'm going to do my best!

Changed when I was applying as a new grad. I had already worked at my current employer and primarily worked in the ICU/CCU. So, that was the place I was looking to go to when I finished; however, my hospital only had new grad programs for the ER, med-surge, and telemetry. My older brother, who previously worked another local hospital which was the only one that had a new-grad ICU program in the area, recommended not starting there as the pay was very low, and it would be tough as a new grad to start in critical care. Figured I'd start on telemetry as a new grad then transition to ICU. Glad I started on telemetry. The acuity is perfect and my team is awesome. Don't think I'll ever leave telemetry any time soon or ever go to critical care.