New grad offered county jail position, but wants hospital.

Nurses Career Support

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Hello, I'm a new grad ADN. I. have no prior healthcare experience other than my clinicals while in school. I just accepted a position at the county jail. This jail does not have an infirmary, so patients with more complicated needs get sent to the hospital. I really want to work in a hospital, but so far I haven't been able to score an interview with any of the local hospitals. I have an interview with a nursing home soon. I'm wondering if the county jail position will enable me to get a hospital job later on or am I ruining my chances by accepting this position and forgoing a "safer bet" with something like a nursing home. Not that correctional nursing isn't a great thing for some people, but I don't see myself making a career here. I really want to get my med/surg experience and do something in the hospital, possibly get into a labor/delivery position eventually. Has anyone started out in corrections and moved to the hospital a short time later? Would nurse managers consider hiring someone to their floor with only this experience?

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