What to do to jumpstart my career?

[ChrisEMTB]

I am going to graduate with a BSN in May 2010, I'll be 23 years old and I don't know where to start my career. I see myself working one day in a leadership/administrative role in the hospital setting, but I am confused about how to get there.

I thought about going into the military (either Navy or Air Force) to help develop some leadership skills I can use later in my career and also work on a Masters degree. But, at this point I don't know if this is the right step I should be taking as a new-grad.

I have been working in the Emergency Department for the past 3 years as an EMT, and I would love to continue working there as an RN, but this department/hospital offers very little upward movement for nurses in a reasonable amount of time--most of the charge nurses worked for 10+ years before being promoted from a staff nurse, and many of the unit directors have been hired from outside the hospital. I love this ED, but I just don't see myself moving to the places I want to go if I stay here.

Any suggestions?

[Jerry 75]

Get 1 year full time work in ED under your belt then quit and move to a more progressive facility that offers more mobility. Consider a large hospital system like Kaiser Permanente or any Hospital with many sister hospitals affiliated with it. Forget about administration untill you get some experience under your belt