What area of care do most new graduate nurses get put into?

[nurse2b2010]

I am a pre-nursing student. Hopefully being accepted this spring into the Fall 08 program. Just curious about what area most new graduates are placed. Is it med surg or can new grads pick an area specialty like labor and delivery? I haven't even started the program yet, but already I am getting nervous about what to expect and how difficult it will be. Just pre jitters I suppose.

[al7139, ASN, RN]

As a new RN you will be in great demand. In most cases, you can pick and choose your area of specialty, including L&D, or ICU. There are some hospitals that require more experience for certain positions, but that is not always the case.

It is a good idea to get some "background " in a med surg setting first, but I actually went directly into cardiac care right after school. We do see medical pts as well, but I will say that I have learned lots from being on this unit rather than a unit that only does medical.

It's your choice.

Good luck in school.

Amy

[nurse2b2010]

As a new RN you will be in great demand. In most cases, you can pick and choose your area of specialty, including L&D, or ICU. There are some hospitals that require more experience for certain positions, but that is not always the case.

It is a good idea to get some "background " in a med surg setting first, but I actually went directly into cardiac care right after school. We do see medical pts as well, but I will say that I have learned lots from being on this unit rather than a unit that only does medical.

It's your choice.

Good luck in school.

Amy

Thanks Amy for the great advice. I am now curious about why new grads are so much in demand when they don't have the experience that the other nurses have? Why is that? Of course, I am glad to hear the demand is high. Is it because new nurses come in with a lot of motivation and energy (or should anyway, right?!)

[Multicollinearity, BSN, RN]

I think I want my first job to be in med/surg. I want that foundation, unlike what a lot of other student nurses say. If you have prior experience in health care though, you might make a different choice.

[al7139, ASN, RN]

I should probably rephrase that statement to say that nurses are in huge demand. The nursing shortage is a very difficult situation because people are living longer, and require more care as a result. Also the fact that new nurses are usually very eager and enthusiastic about their new profession ( I know I am!).

Use your time in school to find out what you really enjoy, then get a job based on that...Oddly enough, I HATED cardiac stuff in school until I had a clinical rotation on the unit I work on now. I found out that I really liked it because of how challenging it was, and there really is so much to learn, that I am constantly on my toes, which I love.

Amy

[HM2VikingRN, RN]

ER/ICU for me after graduation.....

[RainDreamer, BSN, RN]

You can start as a new grad in almost any specialty that you wish to!

A lot of people say start in med/surg, but it really depends on what you want to do. Starting in med/surg wasn't feasible for me because I plan on staying where I'm at and med/surg wouldn't have helped me in any way whatsoever.

Once you're in school and going through clinicals you'll get an idea of what might interest you. Then go from there. Good luck to you!

[llg, PhD, RN]

It really does depend on the individual person and on the geographic area in which you live. The job market varies from place to place. In some areas, new grads are limited in that some of the psecialty jobs and outpatient jobs are given mostly to nurses with experience. In other areas of the country, new grads can find jobs in almost any specialty area. Also different individuals have different preferences. What pleases one person might make another miserable. All you can do is to learn about all of the different oppourtunities while you are in school and, just as important, learn about yourself. Be honest with yourself about your strengths and weaknesses and the type of job that will suit your needs. Also be realistic in your expectations both of yourself and of the job market. That will give you the best chance of success regardless of where you live.

[carrie13]

I'm going to a cardiac tele/PCU floor. A lot of my fellow classmates got jobs in telemetry. A couple were paramedics and went right to the ER. Some went to nursing homes/rehab and the rest ended up in Med-Surg.

[scucer]

i went right into a PICU. They did on the job training with us for at least six months (some need to go longer, it's a comfort-level thing) and i feel like everything i do, i've learned since starting. I'm a firm believer in you have to DO nursing to learn it, you can't just read it. You can read all you want to about starting IVs, but only by doing them can you get good at it.