Is there anyone out there who when they firt started in nursing, they started in the hospital. However, the hospital setting was not the place where they felt comfortable. What did you do? how did you find your niche in nursing. How did you find the balance about liking what you do and feeling that you are a true nurse, capable of dealing with any situation.
Thanks
MarBen
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October 21st, 2008 at 3:51 am
yep, was placed in a gynaecology ward. The first male to ever be in there. It was a blessing to leave the place. I literally dreaded going to work every single day. There was a nervous, sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. It didn’t help that the charge nurse hated me, as well has most of the rest of the staff.
I accepted the job as it was part of the new graduate programme and after six months I was to be rotated to a general med/surg ward.
The new ward was great, the nurses great. The hardship was worth it.
October 25th, 2008 at 11:38 am
I desperately -wanted- to start on a medical/surgical unit, but the hospitals in my area saved their slots for new grads for graduate nurses who interned with them in the past, or had references from nurses at that hospital. Unfortunately, my references came from clinical educators who work more than an hour from where I live, and I wasn’t willing to relocate.
I hit up monster.com and careerbuilder.com and pretty much took the first jobs I was offered. After doing some phone interviews and on-site interviews, I wound up working pediatric homecare 40 hours a week and then 20 hours a week at a skilled nursing facility.
I’m pretty happy with my choice, between the two jobs I’m learning how to take care of/replace trachs and do enteral feedings for pedi patients at the homecare job, and the SNF is teaching me venipuncture, wound-care and EKGs, among other things. I was initially dissapointed I couldn’t get into the med/surg environment because that’s where I imagined I would learn the skills to get me ready for critical care. It turns out I’m still working towards that goal even though I’m not in med/surg, I’ve just taken the “scenic route” to my destination, that’s all. I don’t think one year of this would prepare me as well as the year in med/surg, but I’m getting to try out different things, which was what I wanted anyway.
From what I can tell so far, in my part of the country at least, Homecare agencies and SNFs are less…picky? about who they hire, and also invest less resources in orienting new hires. There are some inherent dangers in this, but if you remember to ask questions when you’re confused it should be fine.
November 2nd, 2008 at 8:51 pm
PM, Rn: thanks for your input. I’m a new LPN. There’s few med surg positions in hospitals around nyc area at this election moment. Home care agency is interested in giving me work and a nursing home also. You lifted my spirts. Thank you.