any one working in long term care, while waiting for a new grad?

[mzjennx, BSN, RN]

hey guys. since most medical centers on Oahu, Hawaii is not hiring new graduate RNs, I was thinking about going into long term care. i feel so reluctant to do this because i dont want to start in ltc and then get stuck in it. i want to be working in the hospital in peds or l&d. i was thinking maybe i could start in ltc for now while i wait for a new grad program. do u guys think this is a good idea or should i continue just waiting for any new grad program?

[chicookie, BSN, RN]

My friend did this and after her experience I think that it depends on the personality. If you think you can tough it out for a couple of months and actually like dealing with those type of patients, why not?

But in her case she KNEW before hand that she didn't like it and only lasted 3 months, and now is looking elsewhere. On the one hand she has experience on the other she is still a new grad and can't find a job elsewhere.

[Dalla]

LTC is what I am doing. I just started last week. I graduated in December and passed NCLEX in February. No hospitals are hiring in my area, let alone a new grad. So, how long do I wait till they hire again? Do I let my skills I learned in clinicals get "rusty"? How many more new grads will be job hunting in May? I decided not to wait. I need a paycheck. I am working on a 24 bed Rehab unit. I get to use skills like trach care, wound vacs, tube feedings, etc. I want to get a good general background like you would get in Med-Surg, even though I ultimately want to do L&D and become a midwife. I continue to check the hospital career sites daily and am waiting for openings. In the meantime, I am getting experience and money, including overtime almost everyday because even the nurses working there for many years seldom finish everything in their scheduled shift.

[Jules A, MSN]

It seems to me that doing something, anything, as a nurse is better than nothing for a new grad. Imo it shows initiative, motivation and you will definitely acquire good skills. My manager loves hiring LTC nurses because she said if you can do LTC you can do anything. :)

[kmarie724]

That's what I'm doing. I've been working in LTC as a CNA while in school and I did enjoy it for the most part, so I am excited (I start my training on Monday), but it's not what I want to do forever. But I think it will be a good starting point. I will be working at the same facility that I have been working at as a CNA, so I am already familiar with the facility and the residents, so I will be able to concentrate on developing my nursing skills without have to worry about things like getting lost on the way to the clean linen room.

[mzjennx, BSN, RN]

So it has been a month since I have had my nursing license. No new job opportunities for new graduates are available in the acute setting. I am really considering starting at a care home so I can get some experience. I dont want to do this, but I need to start working. I am aware of the new graduates who will be entering the work force, and I will have to start paying for school loans soon, so a steady income would be great. I want to start in med-surg or labor and delivery because my ultimate goal was to become a midwife some day... but I guess because of the ecoonmy you got to take what you can get.

Thank you everyone for your support. I will be optismistic and hopeful =D