Questions from a New Grad

[mb20and151]

Graduated with my BSN a few weeks ago. Moved across the country. I'm still waiting for my new state to get their stuff together and allow me to take the NCLEX. Hoping to take it by the middle of October at the latest. In the meantime I've been thinking about the future and jobs and where I want to end up. However, I know that as a new nurse in our current economy I'll probably start out at whatever hospital within driving distance will have me.

During school my favorite rotations were OB and, my preceptorship, in ICU. So I'm thinking I might want to work in either of those two areas eventually. I could also see those molding together to be PICU or NICU and being ok with that as well. My question is how do I get there? My first job may very well be a med-surg or med-tele floor, which is fine for a while, but how does one go about getting to OB, PICU or NICU eventually?

Thanks for any guidance you can provide!

[NurseThis21, BSN, RN]

Hi There! I will practically have no guidance for you whatsoever since I'm starting out as a Psychiatric Nurse (which is amazing!), but I'll try my best!

I think that it's best to say you will start out in Med/Surg to get your experience and come to understand the dynamics of acute care. If you are passionate about ICU or OB, I honestly think it wouldn't hurt if you ask to shadow a nurse on those respective units one day. I'm sure your nurse manager will understand your enthusiasm for continued learning! Use your prospective hospital to your advantage and try to "sneak" your way into the units of your choice! What I mean by that is perhaps on your day, you can still come in and ask to speak to a charge nurse or nurse manager and just get to know them. Also inquire about what it takes to work as either an OB or ICU nurse. That way, they'll know you're interested and they can put a face to a name when they're sifting through applications and resumes!

Lastly, I'd try to get all of my certifications out of the way while working in med/surg. That way, you'll look even more appealing to the nurse recruiter and they can tell that you're eager to move on to the specialization of your choice!

Hope that helps and good luck on your career journey!

NurseThis21, BSN, RN

UIC Alumna

[Eiano]

Graduated with my BSN a few weeks ago. Moved across the country. I'm still waiting for my new state to get their stuff together and allow me to take the NCLEX. Hoping to take it by the middle of October at the latest. In the meantime I've been thinking about the future and jobs and where I want to end up. However, I know that as a new nurse in our current economy I'll probably start out at whatever hospital within driving distance will have me.

During school my favorite rotations were OB and, my preceptorship, in ICU. So I'm thinking I might want to work in either of those two areas eventually. I could also see those molding together to be PICU or NICU and being ok with that as well. My question is how do I get there? My first job may very well be a med-surg or med-tele floor, which is fine for a while, but how does one go about getting to OB, PICU or NICU eventually?

Thanks for any guidance you can provide!

Have you started applying at all to any hospitals or internships? It is possible to get what you want without having experience... most likely you'll have to go to a larger hospital. A few classmates of mine got exactly what they wanted, including one in L&D. Brush up on your resume, interviewing skills and get all of your references and recommendations together. Even if you don't want to start off in PICU, NICU or OB, it's good to have all of these things handy. The rest is about who's hiring and how well you fill out that online application and take that healthcare survey :) Good luck!!