Specialty area or more general right out of school?

Sour Lemon · Mar 6, 2018

I am graduating in May and don't know where I would like to work. I have 3 little kids at home and one on the way so I am only looking for part time and preferably a day shift. Is it better to go to a specialty area right out of school or work something more general like med/surg?

That depends on your ultimate career goal(s) and what offers you actually get as a new graduate.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Mar 6, 2018

What do you want to do? I have never worked and will never work med-surg. I've known since I was a teenager that all I ever wanted to do was pediatrics.

RockinNurse2018 · Mar 6, 2018

Wherever you can get hired

Coffee Nurse, BSN, RN · Mar 6, 2018

With those extensive restrictions on your scheduling, I think you'll be hard pressed to find a hospital-based job, much less one in a specialty area, as a new grad. Hospitals of any quality generally want their new grads working full time for a while so you can consolidate your learning. And in terms of schedule -- although this varies by unit -- you're likely to be working more or even full-time nights compared to employees with more seniority than you.

OldDude · Mar 6, 2018

What do you want to do? I have never worked and will never work med-surg. I've known since I was a teenager that all I ever wanted to do was pediatrics.

I hear ya...I was forced from the ER to cover a shift on a med-surg floor one time when they had a bunch of call ins. I told my manager that would never happen again; that I would quit before I did that again. If I couldn't work pediatrics I'd be off driving a truck somewhere.

Anyway, sdarrington, you are really limiting your options right out of the gate. Good luck.

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Mar 11, 2018

Beggars can't be choosers. Apply to any positions that you are qualified for, then take it from there.

Crush · Mar 11, 2018

If you are not sure what area you want to work in, then generalized floor may be the best option. Even if you think you know where you want to end up, most nurses could benefit from a year or two on a med-surg/general medical floor. There are always exceptions though. And depending on your area, you may have to take whatever is available for a while till what you want opens up.

RNperdiem, RN · Mar 11, 2018

Could you work full-time for at least a year to begin with? Most places I know hire only full-time or per diem. Part time jobs are rare, and you only qualify for per diem with experience.

For a mother of small kids, per diem works well with the job flexibility if you have someone else to pick up health insurance and other benefits.

Day shift might be also a big limiting factor. My unit hires new grads with either full-time nights, or rotating day-night schdules, the amount of nights varies depending on how many people prefer to work nights. Some parents prefer nights.