Outpatient or hospital setting?

[lilgreenrn]

I am a new grad and debating what is a better option pedi outpatient with great hours and no weekends or hospital because there is more going on and more to see? Any advice on what direction is best when first getting into nursing?? Thx!!

[ZootRN]

I would avoid hospital like a plague. If you have choice, take on outpatient position. Better hours, better treatment.

[lilgreenrn]

Thanks for your reply! how liong have you been a nurse do you think skills will be lost in an outpatient setting though?

[purplemania, BSN, RN]

I disagree. The hospital is where you learn so much more than in a clinic, plus you are paid better. I have worked both. Not all MD's "treat you better".

[RN4NICU, LPN, LVN]

I would also choose outpatient over hospital. I wouldn't be worried about losing skills - if you lose them throughout the course of your job, then they likely aren't very necessary for that job. If you decide to change jobs at a later time, your orientation to the new job should cover any skills that may have gotten a little rusty. Go with what will make you happy, not what people think you "should" do. I started out in the OR and then went to NICU - did I lose adult med/surg skills? You bet, but I didn't need them then, I don't need them now, so no harm done.

[channiek]

I think if ur a new grad it would be better to get some experience in a hospital setting. You can go to outpatient later. Good luck.

[RNperdiem, RN]

Keep your options open. Yes, you can go for the outpatient setting, but you will be competing with experienced nurses for the job. There are fewer of these jobs, and they are in demand for nurses leaving bedside nursing. If you go for hospital nursing, there are plenty of jobs there and they often pay more.