What was your first job after school?

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I am working towards being an RN with an ADN. I'm wondering what job positions I can expect as a newly graduated nurse. ( still have a long ways to go before I get there) So what was your first job? Did you like it?

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

The answer will largely depend upon your location. In most major metro areas, acute care jobs are only being offered to BSN grads.

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Yeah I hear that a lot. I'm in South Carolina. I've been told that it may be possible to get a hospital job bu tit won't be easy. I'm just going to do a LOT of networking and placing myself in the settings I wish to work in the future. I really don't think it's fair, the whole ADN vs BSN. I mean we end up taking the same exact test....

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I was an LPN before an RN, and an MA. In both jobs I worked in doctor's offices, so even though I only had my ADN-this helped me. I got an offer a few months after my boards-one in an OB/GYN practice. I turned it down and worked with patients whom were developmentally disabled living in residential homes. They didn't need much-I just had to make sure their meds were taken(other staff gave the meds and some patients could do it themselves)and I also followed up on all doctor's appt-so I made sure we had all results that were ever done. I also if they were ill or injured. I liked it but I was on call 24/7 and one of the assistant director's of the homes was new and would call me constantly even when he knew I was on my way. I turned down the OB/GYN practice because it was far from home. Soon after, I had 2 more offers-one in assisted living and one in an acute palliative care hospital-considered med/surg and working days. Although I am no longer at the hospital(very sad place to work, and my mother and grandfather passed from cancer in a close time frame) I just want to show you that eve though you have your ADN you can still get jobs. If at first you apply to many hospitals and don't hear back for maybe 2 mths-take what you can and continue applying. Any experience is better than none-same goes for income. Also, see if you can get resume and cover letter critiquing through your school where it is free. And go to job fairs. I found the assisted living at my school's job fair-even though I didn't take it-you can makeconnections.

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