Small-town nursing

[MissH1967, ASN, RN]

I graduated in May, passed the NCLEX May 30, and am looking for my first job.

What are your opinions on looking for work in small towns? Do you think it would be a hindrance for future nursing positions in a bigger city? Working in a rural hospital appeals to me since I have no prior medical experience, other than clinicals, and I think I would like a slower pace for now.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

You are mistaken if you think a rural hospital operates at a slower pace.

With fewer resources, nurses actually have to EXPAND their skill set tremendously. For example, many, many rural hospitals do not have a respiratory therapist in house 24/7, leaving the RN to perform treatments on certain shifts. Phlebotomist? Nope, nurses drawing labs. Transporters? Nope. IV Team? Nope. Resource nurses? Nope. Educations Department? Nope.

Higher acuity patients may be transferred out - but the hours you spend waiting on the transport team to arrive- it's up to YOU to treat the patient until transport.

Having said that- you have an opportunity to make a real impact in the community in which you live. You treat your friends and neighbors- and they remember you for that, greet you in the supermarket, thank you at the T-ball game and ask your opinion in church on Sunday morning.

[MissH1967, ASN, RN]

Hmmm.....I hadn't thought of the limited resources. Interesting, and those are challenges I would be willing to undertake if offered a position. Thank you for the insight.