Thoughts on "out of the box" nursing jobs immediately after graduation?

[angelofmusicRN]

Hi Everyone,

I'm curious what folks think about accepting non hospital, even non patient care nursing positions right out of school. Some quick background: I'm 37, live in northern NJ, have an almost 10-year history of working in litigation support with a law firm that practices in a health-related area of the law. I decided to pursue nursing school to broaden my horizons, as my current job provides no opportunity for real advancement. I'm still employed there, and they've changed my title to Nurse Paralegal, but the pay is still far below market value, with no real prospect of increasing. I do like the attorneys I currently work with, and I've always felt appreciated and respected for what I do, except for the low compensation bit.

Anyway, I passed the boards, and started applying for all sorts of hospital-based positions and I've heard nothing but crickets. However, within a couple days of updating my LinkedIn profile to reflect my new Nurse Paralegal title, I've received a few knocks on my door from other, larger law firms, eagerly offering between $25- $30k MORE than what I'm currently earning to work as a nurse paralegal for their firms, which span a wider range of health care related areas. Nurse paralegal work involves combing through medical records (yup, we're the ones who actually read all that documentation they tell you to do ), looking for various discrepancies, depending on what the lawyers are trying to prove, working with experts, teaching attorneys about diseases, injuries and standards of care, etc. so they can form strategies as they work on cases.

At first, I hesitated to reply, as I had this notion stuck in my head about passing that supposed "rite of passage" for new nurses of working in a hospital for a couple years, before returning to this line of work eventually (read: when I get too old to run around a hospital). I did not expect law firms to be interested in speaking to me without those magical 2-3 years of experience in nursing, but now I've got 2 interviews lined up for next week! Who knew?

The more I think about it, the more I think it could be a good move, especially considering my sensitive back and temperamental old knee injury, potential concerns for someone who would be responsible for moving patients in a hospital and spending long hours standing. Many of the "reality" (horror) stories I hear from other nurses have also made me rethink the notion that I must work in a hospital.

The salary would be comparable, and in some cases significantly more than what a new nurse would earn in a hospital (minus the overnights, weekends and holidays, to boot). I'm seriously considering accepting an offer, should one be granted to me.

I understand that some statistic out there states that around 60% of nurses work in hospitals, so where do the remaining 40% work?

I'm wondering if there's anyone else out there who has always worked in a "non-traditional" nursing job; who's never worked a day in their lives in a hospital? What's your experience been like? Do you regret passing up on the hospital experience?

Looking forward to hearing from you! :)

[elkpark]

Do these other law firms that are contacting you because of your new "Nurse Paralegal" title realize (yet) that you are a new grad with no actual nursing experience? Nurses who work in the legal field are usually hired and valued because of their years of clinical nursing experience and expertise, not because of any legal credentials they may have. There are a bunch of threads here by/about nurses working in legal settings. Best wishes.

(https://allnurses.com/legal-nursing/)

[angelofmusicRN]

Because I was so surprised to hear from them, I did strenuously clarify that with them when I spoke with them. I explained that if they were ok with speaking with someone who had never worked in a hospital before, then I would be interested in meeting with them.

[SHGR, MSN, RN, CNS]

Since you have not mentioned this option, what about trying to find a 70-80% med surg position and working part time at your current employer for a time? This would obviously be stressful but you just completed nursing school so it would maybe be the same time commitment/stress level that you have had during school.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

I can certainly understand the temptation to work in a non-direct care position. Much less physical labor with more income - so I don't understand any angst about that.

If the job is basically abstracting clinical records - finding needed information, it's probably a good fit. However if the job expectation is for you to exercise any judgement about what the "prudent nurse" would do (love that legalese... it makes me picture nurses named Prudence... but I digress) you are not qualified to do that.

Have fun. Congrats on the job.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

I worked in "out of the box" nursing positions for about 9 years (including seven as a LPN) before I went into the hospital setting; a I currently work in a Level I Trauma Pedi ER.

I brought a lot of attributes when I interview for acute care positions; my nursing practice and exposure to many populations and my ability to have no qualms of advocating and leadership and policy making exposure are very appealing to employers, making me a very viable candidate.

If offered the position, take it-with the caveat that you should at least have adequate orientation in terms of understanding nursing judgment and what is expected of your position. If they are willing to give you ample opportunity to gain that knowledge, you will be in a position of having your dream job sooner rather than later.

If not, try home health, LTC, etc, more "out of the box" positions to help gain that nursing practice experience, and try again in the future.

Best wishes!

[sourapril]

If bedside nursing is not your passion, I wouldn't worry too much about it. One disadvantage you would have is lack of experience as a clinical nurse so that lack of knowledge may hinder your work or judgement on your cases. But keep in mind your nursing education also broaden your way of thinking, improve your critical thinking skills. So those would be advantageous to your legal work. If you want the experience at a hospital, take a PRN or weekend job.

[scaredsilly, BSN, RN]

Everyone wants to do something different, there is no one size fits all. if your heart is in legal nursing, then go for it! There are two reasons to work in a hospital. One is that it's your dream job, you really want it for your career. The other is to get other hospital jobs. Neither of these seem to apply to you, so why spend a year or two doing something you don't really want to do if what you Do want is open for you. Pay is better from what you say, so I say go for it!

I am one who loves the hospital setting but hated med surg. My current (and first) job is in L&D and I have no regrets, I have a friend who only wanted school nursing, another who really wanted hospice and both of them skipped the hospitals completely.

Go with your heart!