SNF 1st nursing job good career move?

[Puertoriiquena]

I am a recent new grad in CA. Just got my license in November and as you can imagine my city is OVERSATURATED with new grads. I was just offered a job as an RN at a SNF. Is it impossible to get a hospital job after a year or so? I have applied to over 80 positions without so much as a denial letter, just status changes. i have applied to every possible avenue in nursing you can think of, including nurse residencies in my local hospitals. I'm just hoping I'm making a good decision taking this job. I don't have the option to leave SoCal.

[Nola009]

It's better than no job (no experience). My first nursing job was at a snf ... it was very different from school where I had two patients in the hospital setting. Most of my colleagues at the snf we r e new grads too, so I didn't have a mentor there. Orientation was 3 days. Things can, of course go wrong (and that's when u ship em out to a hospital), but the patients are more stabl e at snf s. I know most grads think hospital work is the best, but 3 mos into my first hospital job, I can tell you the grass isn't always greener!

[Piggles10]

I have just completed my first year of working as an RN and I am working in the same SNF as when I Started. I am also in California so I understand the difficulty landing that first job. There were six of us that worked there and graduated from the same class. I started six months after the others because I was working very hard to get a job in critical care. I feel proud that I had two final interview rounds for magnet hospitals even though I didn't land the job. But finally, I just wanted to work. Everyone got a job in a hospital within 6-18 months. I haven't been looking for a hospital job because I like this setting and think I am going to stay. I see a lot of potential for developing leadership skills. The company I work for is willing to give me opportunities to shape my career. It's not what I had planned but I enjoying the ride. If you have a supportive environment I'd say go for it.

[nursephillyphil, BSN, RN]

first off, congrats on graduation and passing your board exam.

SNF's aren't necessarily bad, it sure isn't the place to pick up the best habits. I worked at 2 different snf's in the span of 10 months before finally landing a hospital job here in the bay area. the biggest benefits you'll get are Time management and learning to communicate with doctors and IDT members. Recently I spoke with my preceptor from my senior year capstone, and talked about how time management was the weakest part of a new grad, besides giving report and seeing the bigger picture. Now that i'm in a hospital the time management experience is helping a lot. Good luck to you and remember we all have to start somewhere, experience is better than none and its what got me my hospital job.

[Puertoriiquena]

Thank you for your input!! I decided to take the job and embrace it. You are absolutely right in saying experience is better than none!

[davethemurse]

My first job is at an SNF and I've been there for almost 6 months now, and it's awesome! Love the people I work with and take care of. I feel like a valued person and not just a number. I'm glad I'm here and not a hospital.