Which job for a new grad sounds more appealing?

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Specializes in School Nursing.

Okay, not exactly a new grad but experience-wise, I might as well be. I'm also an older nurse (age 42). Busy med-surg oncology floor or a pediatric home health position which makes a lot more money. Any thoughts?

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Specializes in Cardiothoracic ICU.

peds oncology. Home health is insanely boring in my opinion and its not a great place to get experience. If things go south you may not be comfortable being the only provider being your first job.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Having done peds home health I would go with the med-surg oncology, but that is me.

Home health you have just one patient, and at times can be really rewarding others it can be really boring

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Okay, not exactly a new grad but experience-wise, I might as well be. I'm also an older nurse (age 42). Busy med-surg oncology floor or a pediatric home health position which makes a lot more money. Any thoughts?

I start NS in Aug so bear that in mind b4 listening to me, but......I personally would go for the peds home health because after working in the hospital, I just don't like it...I've worked home health as an aide and as a case manager for a non-profit. I like going into the home and being able to interact one on one with the people, BUT I have also heard from experienced nurses that home health is usually left up to the more experienced since once you're in the HH setting, you may have problems with vents, ER situations in which you have no backup/support, etc.....

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Specializes in School Nursing.
Having done peds home health I would go with the med-surg oncology, but that is me.

Home health you have just one patient, and at times can be really rewarding others it can be really boring

Thanks. I'm trying to find my niche in nursing. Hopefully one day I will... I'm just kinda intimated by the "floor" but it would be great experience.

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Specializes in School Nursing.
I start NS in Aug so bear that in mind b4 listening to me, but......I personally would go for the peds home health because after working in the hospital, I just don't like it...I've worked home health as an aide and as a case manager for a non-profit. I like going into the home and being able to interact one on one with the people, BUT I have also heard from experienced nurses that home health is usually left up to the more experienced since once you're in the HH setting, you may have problems with vents, ER situations in which you have no backup/support, etc.....

Yeah, that is what I worry about. The lack of experience and no backup. They give you some orientation/training, but still...

Other than that, I do think I would like the one-on-one aspect of it too! So far, I have not enjoyed the hospital either and clinicals terrified me.

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So far, I have not enjoyed the hospital either and clinicals terrified me.

Yeah, I can imagine....I'm a little nervous about being able to perform the skills though I am pretty comfortable interacting with patients and families, etc...

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

I think that with oncology you would really be able to learn and grow as a nurse, making you more marketable if you decided you wanted to move on. With home health you are working a couple of cases and may not see much diversitiy in terms of disease process, but you would become very familiar with the kiddos that you take care of.

It all depends on how much training and orienation home health is going to give you, when I did it, I was not given much at all and made it more difficult, but at the time it was the only job offer I had aside from flu clinics.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

If you are wanting to gain experience I would go for the oncology floor. I personally don't feel new grads should be put in home health with no experience. I know it happens a lot and I find it scary. Especially when I have heard of the new grad getting a day or two or orientation and then out there on there own. I would not feel comfortable being put in the situation and would not risk my license regardless of the better pay.

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Specializes in Pediatric Cardiology.

Absolutely med-surg oncology. I do private duty peds and I am bored out of my mind! I started as a new grad so I don't have "acute care" experience and therefore cannot get another job. You can always do home health down the road if it is still something you are interested in.

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Specializes in ER and Trauma, Mental Heath.

As a nurse educator, I spend a great deal of time talking to my students about geeting a job after graduation. The key is to do what you feel will make you happy and will not cause you to burn out, dislike going to work, or feel that you are out of your league. Which job sounds more appealing to you? Both spounds challenging to me - but I have to say that the oncology floor offers something that home care cannot - always someone there for support if you need it! Home health can get tricky at times because you are solo, but that oes not mean that you will not have a mentor. Just make sure you are supported in your role so that you do not become over-whelmed and regret your decisions. I hope that helps.....best of luck with your decision! Jenn

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Specializes in Psychiatry.
. I personally don't feel new grads should be put in home health with no experience. I know it happens a lot and I find it scary. Especially when I have heard of the new grad getting a day or two or orientation and then out there on there own.

100% agree with above. :nurse:

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