Soon to be Nursing Grad :)

[NavySweetheart11]

Hey guys! I will graduate this coming spring as a RN and couldn't be more excited. I'm glad there is a group on this site dedicated to nurses! I was wondering if yall have any advice for newly graduated nurses and job searching? I've heard that it's recommended you have at least a couple years of Med Surg experience before looking for a job in a speciality field such as OB, Psych, Critical Care, etc. How true is this? Any advice is appreciated! Thanks!

[Brenda]

Congratulations!  We need lots of nurses that are excited about the career!!!  I have been an RN for 31 years andhave always felt it is best to get time in on med/surg first, before choosing a specialty, if that is what you decide you want to do.  That time develops your time management and decision making skills that will be so important, regardless of where you career takes you, as wll as an ability to understand what other areas of nursing are dealing with.  I have had the opportunity to work in many areas of nursing and constantly go back to the skills I learned early in my career.  Don't discount med/surg either.  Those nurses that excel in that field are a specialty in themselves.  I know that some will start directly in a specialty field and that may work for them.  I have just seen that the best nurses are the ones that have followed this path.  Good luck and hope this helps!

[NavySweetheart11]

Thank you! I definitely feel more confident that I should go for med surg at first. I'm very excited and can't wait. Have a happy 2011! :)

[gabbyhat]

Hi lovingmysailor, congrats on the soon to be accomplishment! Depending on where your interests lie, youncan bypass the Med/Surg requirement if you live in an area large enough to have hospitals with internships ie. Critical Care; L& D/Postpartum ;OR etc. That's what I did 30 years ago in Galveston,TX. Big teaching hospitals. I did a Surgical ICU internship for approx 6 months which covered 6 weeks in SICU, BICU(burns); 2 weeks each in Pedi ICU and Neuro ICU, and approx 3 months in base unit which at that time was PACU(recovery). An internship gives you a taste of things while also easing you into the process. Gave me a great base to start from. Over the years, I've worked Surgical and Medical ICU, been a NAVY nurse working mostly critical care, worked 6 years in busy Emergency Room on east coast, and spent the last 12 years in the operating room, which at this stage in my life(empty nester heading towards retirement) I really love!! I am so excited for you...you are embarking on a very rewarding career no matter which area you aspire to work in...wish you the best of luck. Any questions, just ask... Paula(aka gabby hat)

[NavySweetheart11]

Thank you very much! I'm nervous but very excited! I'm from a small town and I'm graduating from a diploma program through the local hospital. I didn't realize larger hospitals offered these type of internships. I have a variety of interests such as ER, OR, L&D/Postpartum. I plan on moving to Norfolk, VA within the next year so I will definitely look into teaching hospitals and for these type of programs. I would love to get involved in something like that.

[nightnurse613]

Hi I am an RN in the Phoenix area and have been a nurse for 20+ years plus my son just graduated with a BSN in Dec. The nursing field has changed some what in the last few years. It used to be that there were so many jobs for new grads but even though there still is a nursing shortage-sometimes it is hard to get a job as a new grad. So if you graduate in the Spring start looking early-apply at several locations. I don't know how it is in other parts of the country but check it out early. Some places only hire new grads from current employees-so try to get you foot in the door. My son is going in the navy but several people in his Dec. class are still looking for positions. Some new grad programs don't hie you into an area until you have almost completed their program-they see what will be a good fit. When I graduated and yes that was a long time ago but you were always encouraged to get some med/surg. experience. I thought I wanted to go into L&D when I graduated but I started with med/surg and then later transferred to a step down unit-never did do L&D. I wish the best of luck and hope you find your niche.

[NavySweetheart11]

Wow, thanks so much for the replies! Just to update everybody, I currently have 7 weeks left of nursing school before I graduate. I'm attending a diploma program that is through the local hospital in town and I just received a job offer on Friday!!!! It's a position on a orthopedic/neurology unit. I thought I would never want to work med-surg, but I took the job because of the lack of positions offered to new grads and for the opportunity to broaden my knowledge of nursing in general. I think I found my little niche and that is psychiatric nursing. Anyways, enough about me. Thanks "newnavymom," and best of luck to you as well!

[nursemarysmom]

Did you ever consider the Navy Nurse Corp Reserves?  My daughter is going to school for her RN and after that enlisting in the Nurse Corp to get experience and serve.  They also will help pay for your school loans I think.

[clevelandmom]

Hi, and Congrats on your career choice..years ago on of my nursing professors said to me "you will never have to worry once you are a nurse, you will be well respected and the banks love you because you will always have a job  lol'. I am a nursing supervisor at a Residential Treatment Center for Adolescent Boys and I agree with Brenda, even though we have a 95% well population I won't hire a nurse without at least a year of Med Surge Experience.Its nice to have a good nursing foundation before you choose a specialty. Good Luck to You, and don't worry you will find the right fit. One of the nice things about nursing is that there are so many differant paths for you to take your career. 

[clevelandmom]

Oh wow guess I am not such a good nurse tonight... I didn't notice that your post was over 2years old..lol I just found this group and I was so excited that I wasn't lookin at the date.