Non-Hospital jobs for new grads?

**CalicoKitty, BSN, MSN, RN** · Aug 20, 2019

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Some people really enjoy Psych. Some people feel "pigeon holed" after starting in Psych.

As far as "Home health" is concerned, yes, some places may hire you. You will be alone, driving to a patient's house, and being their actual nurse. You will be responsible for assessments, treatments and documentation. Orientation in these places is often brief, like 3 days brief. Unlike in places like hospitals, help is not in the next room. Some people thrive and enjoy this job. Some people, like psych, feel "pigeon holed" again.

The question really is, what do you want to do. You can start working towards your goal at your first job. Or you can just pick any job and see what you enjoy and figure out what you want later.

Purplemim, BSN · Aug 20, 2019

I believe some home health agencies do hire new grads. I do not know how long the training is but I believe they will train you. You will meet nurses who have experience in it so you can keep their contact in case you need help, they could be one call away.

As for non-hospital jobs, there are skilled nursing homes, assisted living facilities, short term/long term rehab centers, rehab hospitals available to apply to. Some rehab hospitals have high acuity so could give you good experience because they sometimes get patients even from ICUs.

Community hospitals, even though they are hospitals, they are usually in rural areas or towns far from major or capital cities. They do not get as many patients as bigger hospitals do and may be a longer drive from home but it is worth a shot. You can still get medsurg, OR, L&D, ICU and even ED floor experience there. It is also a good place to start, you may even like it and want to stay. All the best!