Nursing school question

Mystery5 · Jan 26, 2005

IMO it's better to get Med/Surg experience first. Just my opinion... :coollook:

kellisdomain · Jan 26, 2005

I am still in school from what I hear though Med-Surg is the best bet.

MelRNNC · Jan 26, 2005

Hello. I am a new grad RN myself, and I have seen that it is very difficult for a new grad to get a job in L&D or NICU right out of school... So many people want to work w/babies that a lot of hospitals hire more experienced nurses for those positions. My advice is to work in med-surg for a year or two and then apply for a job in L&D or NICU, if that's still what you want to do.

bellarosa · Jan 26, 2005

I think you should do exactly what you want to do. Many hospitals around me offer great internships/preceptorships for around 6 months or longer to get new grads ready for critical care. I want to do adult ICU so I haven't been looking for NICU internships.

If you can't find a job that you feel comfortable with in what you want, then look at med/surg. Don't you think you will be a better learner in your area of interest? I do.

KRVRN, BSN, RN · Jan 26, 2005

If you want to do NICU, I recommend going right into it and skipping med-surg.

begalli · Jan 26, 2005

Definitely do what you want to do!

There are many places that have new grad programs specifically for critical care, including NICU.

Good Luck!!

11:11 · Jan 26, 2005

I think its best to get some general nursing skills first, then go to a higher level of care.

If you are in a program that has mucho clinicl time fine. But thats still different than doing it on your own with 4-8 pts.

As others have mentioned some facilities have fine NG programs. I have seen NG's do just fine on the unit right out of school. Following them hasnt always been fun though-

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Jolie, BSN · Jan 26, 2005

Hello. I am a new grad RN myself, and I have seen that it is very difficult for a new grad to get a job in L&D or NICU right out of school... So many people want to work w/babies that a lot of hospitals hire more experienced nurses for those positions. My advice is to work in med-surg for a year or two and then apply for a job in L&D or NICU, if that's still what you want to do.

I must respectfully disagree with MelRNNC. As a former NICU nurse manager, I can assure you that new grads are most welcome, and usually preferred in the NICU. NICU nursing is a field unto itself, and those who come to it with adult experience often have a hard time adjusting.

There are some hospitals (usually bigger institutions in the city) that will hire new grads into L&D as well. With both specialties, it is imperitive that the new grad receive a thorough orientation 1:1 with a preceptor, as well as didactic instruction. This should be AT LEAST 12-16 weeks long, and upon its completion, the new grad should be assigned a mentor on the shift that h/she will be working. Just as important as the orientation is the support that the new RN receives in the first 1-2 years of employment. Do not even consider any job on any unit which has less than 50% experienced staff (meaning at least 2 years experience in the specialty). It is impossible to learn without knowledgable, experienced staff to back you up.

You may also want to consider a mother-baby unit, which I think is particularly well-suited to a new grad.

Lastly, if you enjoy med/surg and want to give it a try, then by all means, do so. If you don't have a special interest in med/surg, then skip it and go to a specialty that interests you. Nursing is a tough job, and it is not made any easier by working with a patient population that does not particularly interest you. Good luck!

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Jan 26, 2005

It was my experience while in school that those that got the preceptorships and focused mainly on their goals got a better change of obtaining them because they got to 'know people' and show their skills in that area of specialty, which helped them get their name and face out there!

Most of us who focused in med surg, stayed in med surg because we were unknown to those in our specialties in local hospitals, and they were more willing to hire someone that was mentally and physically showing their interests while in school! In fact, most of the L/D or peds focused students found jobs there, where as we in other areas didn't stand a snowballs chance in 'heck' of getting even an interview since we didn't have 'experience' in that specialty.

So I don't know...I would focus on your path as you see it...if that involves a specialty get started on it and start learning about it early on, get contacts and get your name out there! And yes...as in all careers, much has to do with 'who you know' and 'how you get your name out there'.

If I had listened to my own advise so many years ago...I would have been in my specialty...I delayed, did what people told me which was 'do your med surg', and wound up stuck where I am today. I had no NO desire to work med surg...and was miserable and wasted precious time...so consider that risk.

Greatest of luck to you!

bobnurse · Jan 26, 2005

I believe all nurses should work in ICU/ER FIRST!!!!. It helps them to develop better critical thinking skills. If your choosing a specialty, then you should go straight to that specialty. Its easier to get a job in L&D right out of school versus a seasoned med-surg nurse.......They like the new nurses who havent learned bad tricks.........

I know many of you disagree, but from my experience, the better med-surg nurses were those with critical care background..... And for all those negative types, im not saying the med-surg nurses are bad or less of a nurse, but in situations requiring critical thinking, prior ICU/ER nurses fair better.......

If you want to work with peds, then go work with peds.....Working with adults wont prepare you anymore for working with kids.

neonursey · Jan 26, 2005

I AM a grad that went into the NICU right out of school. Best decision i ever made.

Most of my classmates went the med/surg route and all of them left their jobs within 5 months. I just suggest to do what you wanna do!!

If it turns out your not happy where you end up right after school, then leave and go after what your dreaming of. There is no rule that says you gotta stay at the first job you get....(though at least a year would be helpful in getting you hired with future employers)....Just do what your heart desires, thats the only way you will be happy. JUST MY OPINION!!!

GOOD LUCK!!!