Question for currently hired NY nurses!

[D_lohvRN]

I am a senior student currently going into my preceptorship for four weeks and have to choose a field... I wanted to know what field of nursing (Medsurg, OB, Critical care, peds, geriatric) would increase my chances of getting a job after I graduate? Even though I love all fields of nursing and everyone recommends med surg my heart is in OB, but I have a family to support and I'm having doubts if there are even jobs for new grads there... So what do you NY nurses see as the field with most available (positions) and open to new students in NY

I am open to any advice..Thank you!

[tachybradyRN]

realistically, probably med-surg. start looking now. i graduated may 2009 and it was hard for me to find a position even then.

[mentalhealthRN]

I guess depending on where in NY.......I am in upstate and there seems to be a lot of need for med-surg, ICU, ER and LTC. If you can do ER or ICU when you graduate you may be able to get into the new grad progams for these areas--a residency type program. My heart was in OB too when I graduated and I did it for 6 months when I got out........loved some things, didn't like others. But in the end I wanted to use more of what I learned in school on the job before I forgot everything. So I went back and got my medical experience. That was not where I saw myself forever but what I learned there has been valuable since.....even in psych......which is where I endedup finding my niche. So I would say probably not to do OB for your program. Get all the medical experience you can get so med-surg, ED or ICU I would say. You can always move to OB later.

[86toronado, BSN, RN]

I agree with the above poster. But another good idea would be to check the websites of your local hospitals and see what units are hiring the most. I know where I live there are plenty of OB jobs, but that may not be the case where you are. Whatever you do, don't put off applying to jobs... you can be hired pre-licensure in NY, so don't wait until you've passed the boards. All of the good jobs could be taken by then! :)

[D_lohvRN]

I guess depending on where in NY.......I am in upstate and there seems to be a lot of need for med-surg, ICU, ER and LTC. If you can do ER or ICU when you graduate you may be able to get into the new grad progams for these areas--a residency type program. My heart was in OB too when I graduated and I did it for 6 months when I got out........loved some things, didn't like others. But in the end I wanted to use more of what I learned in school on the job before I forgot everything. So I went back and got my medical experience. That was not where I saw myself forever but what I learned there has been valuable since.....even in psych......which is where I endedup finding my niche. So I would say probably not to do OB for your program. Get all the medical experience you can get so med-surg, ED or ICU I would say. You can always move to OB later.

Thanks for your advice, thats how I feel..I want to use what I've learned too..if I do OB i'll probably be limited. I'm in downstate New York, I forget how big NY is sometimes And if upstate NY is hiring, maybe I will consider moving up there..:) Also..how does a nursing residency program work? do you live there, do you need to pay to be in it, do they offer some sort of salary?

[igmirnor]

I taught OB and med surg .... based on that experience.. i would strongly recommend go for either Medsurg or ED or ICU ... in my opinion any field you get into ...it will take atleast a couple of years to go forward... the experience you get will only help you as a OB nurse as it will give you a strong foundation both skill wise as well as from the knowledge point of view..Obstetrical patients can have a lot of co-morbidities where a good practical bedside medsurg experience will help you be a much better OB nurse... whatever you choose wish you the best of luck in whatever you do!!