Once you pick, are you stuck forever?

[FatsWaller, BSN, RN]

Hello all,

I am an accel nursing student about to graduate in 8 weeks. I am from Southern California but I am in school in Kentucky. Due to the difficulty in getting a job as a new grad back home, let alone in ED or ICU, I have decided to stay in Kentucky a year and get my experience. I have been between CVICU and ED, but I think I am going to take the ER job I was offered at University of Louisville Hospital as it is a trauma 1 center and I think emergency is my true passion.

My fear is, I know here in Kentucky if ever wanted to move units, I could do so in a heartbeat, but it seems every job description in California has a requirement of 1 year in the job you are looking at (ie. if I was looking at a CVICU job in California, it says 1 year required in a CVICU in the past two years”) So if I work as an ER nurse but want to move to ICU down the line is that not at all possible in a state like California? Am I tied down to only ER jobs? Or if I am an internal candidate, is it easier to move around? Maybe someone from California (or a similarily high competition state) could enlighten me on how this works because from the outside it seems once you pick, you're stuck forever and you can't work other units.

Thanks!

[windsurfer8, BSN, RN]

Once you get a year or two under your belt doors will open all over. The key is you build a knowledge base and create good work habits. Getting to work on time...Not calling out all the time...hard worker...understanding how hospitals operate. This is the key to the first year or two. I did two years med/surg when I graduated and then switched to psych. Those 2 years serve me well to this day. Just focus on the job at hand and excel at it...you will more than likely be amazed at what is available.

[megRNn]

Coming from a level 1 trauma center you will be a desirable candidate for any position really. Get 1-2 years experience and you will be able to move back to Cali!

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

Level one trauma is great experience. I must say that is easier in California to go from any ICU to ED than from ED to any ICU. I believe that the ICU experience will be more valuable to you unless you believe that ED is where your heart is!