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Nurses, help please! :)
Hi, I'm a newly graduated nurse and I have question about jobs! Right now, hospital jobs are pretty slim for new grads/unexperienced nurses. I have an interview with a pediatric PC office for a part-time MA/LPN/RN position.
My concern is that I would stunt my career if I started in an office. Have you found that to be true of yourself or other nurses?
However, I would eventually like to work in a pediatric hospital, so I figure that this would give me experience as a nurse (even if not in a hospital setting) and experience with pediatrics, so it can't be all bad.
I'm just torn because I was also told to start in a hospital. Plus, if this is a job that can be done by an MA, I'm not sure that it's really on par with what I want to be doing. Plus, while money is tight, I could hold out for a little while longer, but I don't want to pass this up if it's the only job coming in the next 6 months!
I just need some "been there" insight.
Thanks!
Re: Nurses, help please! :)
I'm not a nurse, but I would imagine starting in an office to get experience isn't a bad thing. You need to get your foot in the door somehow, right?
FET - transferred two embryos (boy and girl) - Nov 2014 - BFP!
I have to say, I agree with RNLurker.
Good luck!
I would take the job, but continue looking. Some experience is better than nothing, even if it's in an office.
Last updated 4/06/11
Yes I agree, I would definately take the job so you get into the workfield sooner then later. However I would keep applying and looking for a job in a hospital setting because I think it is really important to get the experience when your "nursing school knowledge" is fresh. I graduated last April, and it was really hard for me to find a job as well. I must have applied to over a hundred places, physician's offices as well. It took me 3 months to land a job after graduation, which was stressful but it was well worth the wait. Is there anyone you know already working at a hospital that could refer you? Also don't forget to be the squeaky wheel, be extremely persistant! I kept calling and asking about my application process, it shows that you are very interested. I understand what you are going through, just keep trying!!
I've been a pediatric RN for 3 years at a hospital and I totally agree with the above. An MA does not have the same responsibilities as an RN and you would be wasting your license. If you really want to get into the hospital setting/need a job ASAP, try applying as a nursing assistant in a hospital, that way you at least get exposed to hospital nursing.
I agree with RNlurker too. I've worked 3 years in ICU as a RN and started there as a new grad. You will not be utilizing your skills that you will need to be a pediatric RN in a hospital as an office nurse. You will be better to work with direct patient care either through a LTAC facility or in a hospital on ANY floor.
In my opinion it would stunt your professional growth if you mean to one day work as a peds RN in a hospital. If you read job listings most of them state "need a minimum of 2 years clinical bedside experience"...office nursing doesn't count.
Good luck to you whatever you decide.
Most Hospitals will not let you work as a nursing assistant once you pass your boards.
OP- While I do not think that doing the work an MA can do will further your knowledge as a new nurse a whole lot, it may be better than a huge gap in employment. If you are comfortable working with adults than maybe try long term care or infusion centers, like PP suggested.
Personally, I cannot stand the thought of working with adults, so I would just take the office job and keep looking. This would at least give you experience with peds which would help your resume.
False. At least where I live, hospital jobs require clinical experience. We have 2 main pediatric hospitals and both require pediatric clinical experience for RN jobs. If I were you I would call a nurse recruiter at the pediatric hospital in your area and ask if you worked at a pedi office, would that count as experience towards a future job in their hospital. Working in an office, home health, school, public health clinic, etc. is not considered clinical experience in my area. Hope this helps.