What looks better on a resume?

[norm758]

I am a new grad trying to get my foot in the door in the San Francisco Bay Area. It has been a frustration experience so far, and I finally got an interview at a small rural hospital after expanding my search into Oregon and Washington. I could probably also find a hospital job in North Dakota, where several of my classmates have ended up. So I have a couple of choices now and the question arose: does it make any difference whether I get the rural hospital experience which includes a little bit of everything including ED, medical/ICU, skilled nursing, IV therapy, etc., or the big hospital experience which would be on one unit, telemetry or med/surg. Does one experience look better on a resume? Does one improve my career chances down the road, or are they both the same? I am very interested to hear from everyone's experience. Thank you!

[Nola009]

I advise you to take what you can get in this current job market. That will look better than no job experience because you were waiting on the one that never came through. What looks better really depends on the beholder. As in, what is your hiring manager's opinion? Or, how badly is the unit in need of staff? So... relax... and go for it!

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

You're over thinking this. Each experience will bring a unique skill set to YOU.

North Dakota with some people you know/ small hospital on your own.

Only you know where you would be more comfortable starting out.

The thing is.. you have to start somewhere.

Good luck, you can do this... keep us posted.

[caliotter3]

I would advise you to take the job that you are offered and make the best of it. Everybody's career consists of only one (or two) jobs at a time. You can't eat the entire dinner all in one bite.

[firstinfamily, RN]

Experience, experience is going to get you where you want to be. You need to grab onto where you can get the experience. Future hires may not necessarily be interested in the type of facility where you worked as much as they are in the type of experience you have. I also agree that you need to get your foot in the door, and get the experience. Only you can make that decision. Is the facility in North Dakota in a very rural area or are they expanding services? Why have so many new grads been hired there? I will say sometimes it is not what you know but who you know that gets you ahead in this business. Do you want to be where you will see some familiar faces or are you willing to be where you have to strike it out alone?? Is there a major difference in the cost of living at either place and is the pay comparable?? Good luck. I know new grads here in this part of Maryland who are not having any luck at getting in to any acute care facilities.

[Pat_Pat RN]

Working in a small hospital can get you lots of experience in many different things. The hospital I started my career at didn't have respiratory therapy. The nurses did that. We didn't have a vent either. The nurses did the bagging. No specialty services. You will learn a lot and it will be good for you. I'd take what job you can get and have fun with it.