Should a new grad work in an agency?

[Jitssy]

Hi,

I recently graduated and obtained my license as a registered nurse. I've been looking for a job for the past month with no luck. I've tried NGG and everywhere even the rural areas. I got a few calls but it always ended once they found out I had no experience. I just recently tried applying for agencies. I was wondering if it is worth the risk for a new grad to work in an agency? The position I applied for required one year of experience and yet they are giving me a chance. I feel like taking it since I do want to start accumulating experience but I don't know if I want to take the risk of just heading into the field with no orientation.

[edmia, BSN, RN]

As an expert in what? Being new and not knowing how to function independently? The agency may be willing to throw you in there, but I think that's unfair to the place needing a nurse ready to go and also unsafe for you.

Sent from my iPhone -- blame all errors on spellchecker 😉

[ddaviddudley]

Even as an experienced with almost 5 years of experience I still refuse to do agency work where I'm thrown out there with zero orientation. No thanks.

[misslindzee]

You won't get the support you need to complete your job safely. Agency nurses are needed because the units are already overwhelmed. I personally wouldn't do it. Try home health agencies. I recently changed positions and I used a career website called indeed and craigslist.

[OCNRN63, RN]

I worked in home health, and that was after 10 years of varied experience. You have to be very confident in your ability to assess and determine the appropriate plan of care; you also need to be confident in a variety of skills.

Ask yourself this: Do you feel capable of caring for patients who may have complex health care needs, and to do so without anyone to back you up?

ETA: Are you talking about working for a staffing agency, or for home health care like VNA? My answer would be the same for both situations.

[Jitssy]

It's a home health care agency. I am somewhat confident in my assessment skills, I just feel like it would be a big comfort if I had an orientation or shadowed a nurse for a few shifts but that's not possible within an agency.

[OCNRN63, RN]

It's a home health care agency. I am somewhat confident in my assessment skills, I just feel like it would be a big comfort if I had an orientation or shadowed a nurse for a few shifts but that's not possible within an agency.

If they're not willing to give you an orientation, then I wouldn't consider it. There is far too much at risk. You do not want to risk your license.

I know you think you're somewhat confident in your skills, but there are so many different diseases you see in home health, and so many skills you have to use. I would highly advise you get hands on experience for a while before working without a leash.