Where was your first nursing job?

Bonny619 · Apr 8, 2008

I've always wanted postpartum but I did take a job on a medical/surgical floor. I lucked out, the floor is amazing. The people I work with are wonderful, the patient's are great...I love my job as a new grad and I've only been by myself for about 3 weeks! lol

CABG patch kid, BSN, RN · Apr 8, 2008

My first and current job is in telemetry, but I know many people who've specialized in places such as ICU, NICU, PICU, peds oncology, L&D and postpartum. One of my preceptors started out in public health and never looked back (she did work in the hospital briefly as a student but never after being licensed). I think a lot of places outside acute care would prefer you to have 1 year of acute care experience, just so that you have good assessment skills and a basic knowledge of meds, etc. For example, in home health you are often working alone so you need to have a strong knowledge base to work with.

It sounds like you have something specific in mind after you graduate. Follow your heart and good luck finding your dream job!

imanedrn · Apr 8, 2008

Hi,
I seem to be under the impression that all nurses tend to get jobs in hospitals in medical-surgical units or something similar to this? Is it possible to get jobs in more specialized areas as your first job? Or not in a hospital even? Seems like a med-surg unit is the best place to get a broad range of experiences and I have heard most people start in this or maybe the ER. Any info about where you got your first job or other possible opportunities would be appreciated.:nuke:

Keep in mind what YOU want to do.

For the past 10 or so years, I was certain I wanted to work in women's health. I had a hard time deciding on whether I wanted to start there or in med/surg, though. I though it would be great to have a broad background because (knowing myself) I get bored easily and may want to move to another area at some point in the future. Also, I know it IS easy to move around in nursing (once you're established), so I wanted this option. Still, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. I decided to talk to one of my clinical instructors who I highly respect (and still do). She told me she started in med/surg and loved it because it allowed her to go to float pool. When she floated, she found the learning curve to be minimal because of her broad med/surg background -- versus someone from a more limited background. That sealed the deal for me.

So... I'm on my 3rd week on my own, and I owe the hospital just over 11 more months. (I signed a 12 month contract for 8 weeks of training, which I now regret, but that's another story...)

In all honesty, I think med/surg is a difficult area! Yes, our patients aren't likely to code (though the do!), but the breadth of information we have to know can be overwhelming (versus just having to know a narrow range of meds for L&D patients, for example). Also, the amount of orders and procedures and all the docs, etc. etc. etc., makes it even more overwhelming. I truly am amazed that people are able to stay in med/surg for 20 some odd years. Once I serve out my 12 months, I'm going to take a look at where I am and see if I want to stay longer to learn more or if I'm ready to move on.

Good luck in your decision!

P.S. I have many friends who went into specialty areas, and they're doing great. Like I said, though, I want to be able to move around, so med/surg works perfect for me!

katie1285 · Apr 9, 2008

I was thinking I would like to start out in pre-op or OR nursing, but I don't want to lose skills like not starting IVs in OR etc, and if I don't like it, have a hard time finding another area to move to... I just am afraid I wouldn't be able to deal with med-surg emotionally, are there any other areas that would give a good skills background?

CABG patch kid, BSN, RN · Apr 11, 2008

I think it may be difficult getting a job in the OR right out of school as that is usually a low-turnover area and has less openings than other specialties. I can see why you would want to hone your skills elsewhere before going to OR but there ARE people who go right out of school. Keep your eyes and ears open for any positions available, maybe you can start now as a tech and have a job before you graduate. Oh, and you should get plenty of practice with IVs in pre-op if your hospital does outpatient or same-day procedures; most of those ppl come from home with no IV access.

Anyway, I wish you luck, you'll figure out what's best for you, whether you end up doing some med-surg or not.

BlueEyedRN · Apr 11, 2008

I started in the ICU. My best friend from school started in L&D. There is really no reason not to go into what you want to do. I did work with some awesome people however, which isn't always the case. I was able to have the support and help I needed in order to survive. If I hadn't had that, I probably would have left after a month. As far as skills. . . I mean, I don't think it is that big of a deal to get a super broad base. It is nice to be able to say that you can do something and feel comfortable with it. But really, the most important skills you need will be the ones where you are. You could work in one area, decide you don't like it, and change to a different area where the skills are completely different, and it wouldn't be that big of a deal as long as you are willing to work hard. The important things to learn that you carry with you everywhere are how to deal with people and how to handle yourself under pressure. You can always learn new things. You always will be learning new things, even if you stay in the same area your whole life. My advice to new nurses (now that I have a whole 2 years experience and am the epitome of wisdom :bugeyes: ) is to not worry so much about what you don't know and put your energy into learning. That will be much easier to do if you are in a place you love.

jones21498 · Apr 11, 2008

I am so excited. I just hired in for a post graduate position on bone marrow transplant. I think this is about as specialized as it gets. I think if you know where you want to be then going more specialized wont hurt, but if you are up in the air even a little bit, then perhaps a rotating internship or med-surg isn't such a bad idea.

caraibrit · Apr 11, 2008

Hi All,

I have just started as a Critical Care Nurse in ICU as my first job. I've held out for it and now I have it. My first day felt overwhelming because it seemed as if I was going into an exam situation yet again in six weeks' time but this time I didn't know my assessors, their preferences or dislikes. I was told I have 33 machines that are placed around the bedside which I need to be competent on by the time my appraisal come around next year. Although I have achieved quite a bit academically, I felt inadequate again. But the educators were encouraging and kept reassuring me that I would be supported throughout my probation period. I felt less nervous on my second day. My mentor, a nurse of two years qualification and half my age, said she was happy with my progress this week. So, although it's early days yet, I'm looking forward to improving my practice in this speciality area.

Caraibrit:nurse:

RNcDreams · Apr 12, 2008

If you know what you like, go for it with gusto :)

yellow finch, BSN, RN · Apr 12, 2008

I started out in the Neuro ICU. The first location was awful, but my current job is awe-some.

If you want the OR there's no reason not to apply for it. My hospital puts all new OR RNs through a training program with a 2 year commitment.

All of my classmates went into their special area of interest and you should do the same, too.

Best of luck!