Graduate Nurse, hospital or clinic?!

Nurses Career Support

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I graduated in May with my BSN, I passed my boards. I am now an RN. I have the opportunity to work in a Hospital on a Med/Surge floor, and I have the opportunity to work in a clinic, (a prestigious clinic that would support my dissertation). Throughout nursing school I feel like no one ever asked or thought to ask, would it be ok to work in a clinic right out of school?

Here is my problem, both of these positions would be good for me, but for what to do with my life, I am wondering which would be best.

Here is my deep dark secret, I'm starting a BSN to DNP program in August, yes this month! No one ever told me it wouldn't be ok for me to do this, the school recommended that their students come straight from their BSN into the DNP. The DNP will take me 3.5 years and I will have to do clinicals for 2 of those years through the program. At the same time I plan to be working full time as an RN.

SO, will I hurt myself, will I hurt my career if I work only in a clinic?

What I want to do with my DNP is work in a clinic. My interests are in teaching and preventative medicine! My interests, dont really apply to the hospital setting, but I am wondering if I don't get that experience, how bad will it be? I'm just nervous.. I am in the middle of the interview process for both positions, and unless the hospital calls before thursday, my only option is to take the clinic job.

I just want other's thoughts on the situation, as I have never done a DNP before, I have never worked as an RN before, and I have never worked in a clinic before.. I have no idea what my life is about to be like. I believe that not knowing what I will be saying yes to is making this decision even more difficult.

Please comment,

Thanks.

Will you be working Monday through Friday, full time day hours at the clinic? If so, it might be hard to fit in classes and clinicals. Hospital shifts might be more flexible. My hospital is very accommodating of nurses in school.

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