Previous experience for nursing jobs?

[Jamuhh]

Hi! I am in the process of figuring out which area of nursing I want to go. I have realized I can't just pick something and say I'm gonna focus on applying for those jobs when I get close to graduation because some of them require a certain amount of time in a different area before you can be considered. Having a hard time figuring out what requires what... so can anyone offer some advice? I know most people start out with Med-surg but is there anything else I should consider? Anyone have any specifics that were required when you applied?

Labor/Delivery

PICU/NICU

Pediatrics (general?)

Psychiatrics

OR

Critical Care

Perioperative

Thank you!

[DixieRedHead, ASN, RN]

Your best bet is probably telemetry. You get lots of varied experience. Learn to read strips, have post surgical patients, a wide and varied skill set. It's hard work. It jumps all the time. But You should be able to go from there to other depts .

[stephenfnielsen]

my advise to people is: if you aren't really passionate about a certain specialty your best bet is to start out on a med/surg floor, preferably with tele. you'll get all the experience you need to make a leap somewhere else. if you are passionate about a certain specialty, apply to that area, if there aren't any positions, apply to the position that is most closely related.

but to answer your question:

labor/delivery- at least one year acute care experience

picu/nicu- at least one year acute care experience, critical care, l&d, peds, mother baby preferred

pediatrics (general?)- at least one year acute care experience

psychiatrics- at least one year acute care experience

or- at least one year acute care experience, post op floor, critical care preferred

critical care- at least one year acute care experience, tele perferred

perioperative- at least one year acute care experience

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

I work in pediatrics and a good percentage of our new hires are new grads. In my year alone, 9 of us were hired. Of course, that was 4 1/2 years ago and the job market was a lot better then. Since I was hired, we have hired more new grads than experienced nurses. I would argue that that is partly because experienced nurses do not want to work at my institution but, as far as the OP's question goes, it IS possible to be hired into pediatrics without previous RN experience.

[Jamuhh]

Thanks everybody!

[knitter523]

During this difficult time, I think any job that is offered is something you should consider. Many nurses are having a hard time finding a job, period!

If a hospital is needing a particular unit staffed, they may offer a residency for that unit. TAKE IT! Any experience you get will be helpful down the road.

My dream job was labor and delivery. When I graduated from nursing school, I was offered a residency in ER. I took it and was so glad I did. It gave me a chance to improve all my skills (assessments, IV's, foleys, blood draw...etc.).

Six months later, I had to move across the country. I found a residency in labor and delivery and I was hired based on my experience in the ER.

You never know what might just lead you into something you love.