? To Hosp Managers

Keep the job!

Around me "public health" type jobs often want some ER experience. I guess that has to do with being ready for whomever you get, so, you might have lucked out. And, you like the job!!!!

To be realistic there are so many RNs, chances are slim that you'd get into a hospital.

(I'm not a manager)

Does it matter? As you said, you were forced (by the job market) to take a job that you apparently now enjoy and that pays the bills. The situation is what it is and you're doing what you need to do to support yourself.

In a couple of years, when/if you're ready to move on, you can apply to hospital positions and see what happens. No doubt much will depend on the state of the economy and the job market when you decide to apply.

Alot of people would kill for a non hospital job, the grass isn't always greener

I see people hired with no hospital experience. You might have to take a job on a floor that isn't your all time favorite, but it is possible.

You want to give up a job in public health you like to work in the hospital? Craziness.

Maybe you could eventually get something per diem in the hospital? I would keep the public health job especially if you enjoy it.

:) You have to remember that I do not have any hospital experience and I cannot understand the demands of the job. From my end everyone is making me feel like the ideal position in the hospital and everyone only talks about the experience they will not have if they do not land a hospital job. Is it not necessary to have those assessment tools that I will obviously be lacking due to my position? I have read many of the posts say that the job is stressful but isn't it rewarding also??? My favorite clinical rotation was the ICU and I imagined myself working there. Now I feel like I might not get there. Is it really a place where I do not want to be???

No advice but I understand your feelings.

I graduated in December 2010 and I started in AL. At a job fair at a hospital I was advised to go to a snf because staying in AL wouldn't help to get me in a hospital. I am now at a snf and still worry that if I don't get into a hospital I won't get that valuable experience. I honestly don't know what my ultimate goal is but I'm afraid of not getting the right experience early on and being seen as unqualified for a job in the future that I really want, though most days I do enjoy working at the snf.

I would love to have a job in a public health. It is strange that they hired a new grad, because all the positions in my area for a public health nurse require either hospital or community health experience. In my hospital, most of the nurses try to get out of it to get non-hospital job.

:) You have to remember that I do not have any hospital experience and I cannot understand the demands of the job. From my end everyone is making me feel like the ideal position in the hospital and everyone only talks about the experience they will not have if they do not land a hospital job. Is it not necessary to have those assessment tools that I will obviously be lacking due to my position? I have read many of the posts say that the job is stressful but isn't it rewarding also??? My favorite clinical rotation was the ICU and I imagined myself working there. Now I feel like I might not get there. Is it really a place where I do not want to be???

You can't worry about what 'everyone thinks' or how 'everyone makes you feel'. It's taken me a lot of years to realize that, but it's true! You need to ask yourself, "What aspects of nursing do I gravitate towards"? Do you like serving groups (community) or are you an adrenaline junkie fit for the ER? Do you want your patients intubated and sedated or do you want walkie-talkies? Do you like the technical hands on skills or would you rather focus on teaching preventative health? Don't let anyone make you think one is better than the other. Every aspect of nursing has its pros and cons. We work a lot of years before we retire, and in nursing we tend to work a lot of hours that can be emotionally draining. You have to do what you love, and not what everyone else thinks you ought to. If you love PH, great. Be the best PH nurse you know how to be. If you yearn to go ICU, look to to apply to an ICU preceptor based program -- in my area they are competitive, but they do have programs for new grads and experienced nurses alike. You won't know unless you try. The great thing about nursing is that we can change our practice/concentrations over time. No, you have not received the kiss of death because you are not in an acute care setting this very minute. The key to it all is knowing YOUR special nursing talent, and how you want to develop YOUR practice. Remember, it is your practice -- not everyone else's! :heartbeat

OP, remember that job fairs are worthless marketing campaigns. People there will tell you anything to get you to move on, IMHO. If you think they are giving you advice that is going to be concrete you are mislead.