I remember hearing in Nursing School that I was supposed to graduate with a job, and if I ever wanted to get anywhere with my Nursing career, I had to be a medical surgical nurse for at least two years AND there was a good change I would have to do night shift because, as a new nurse I would have to put in “my time”. WELL let me tell you I did neither AND I have gained TONS of knowledge and love all the choices I have made.
It was the last semester of nursing school, senioritis has kicked in. My usual straight A’s has dropped to a B. All I can think about is graduation and passing my NCLEX. Although, I can’t wait to graduate and pass my NCLEX I have no idea what kind of nurse I want to be. I’ve worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and a Certified Residential Medication Assistant (CRMA) for 5 years in an assisted living facility. I’ve always excelled at my job, working my way up, always asking for more responsibilities. If I’m bored I want more.
My two years of nursing school, I did clinicals in med surg, maternity and psych. As graduation was coming closer I knew what I didn’t want, but had no clue what I really wanted to do. I knew I didn’t want to work med surg. I knew I didn’t/couldn’t work overnights.
Students around me are applying to jobs, most of them are getting overnight positions in hospitals in their home towns. I live further away and the only hospital in my area is a Magnet status hospital which means it only hires Bachelor Degree Registered Nurses and at this time I was getting my Associates degree.
I’ve always thought I wanted to be an Emergency Room Trauma Nurse, but being a new grad with my associates degree there was no way I could get into a hospital without my BSN or without my “2 years of med surg experience”. So I applied to a few programs for new grads. I applied to some ICU, Cardiac/Tele units. Anything but overnights and med surg please!
I landed a job at the State Prison, I LOVED it! I was hired full time DAY SHIFT! I stayed there 3 1/2 years and then applied to the Emergency Room. I rocked my interview and nailed my peer interview and now have my dream job as a trauma nurse!
MORAL of the story is you don’t have to do what everyone tells you to. Do what works for you, your career, your family ect! There are so many options as a Nurse. Med surge it LITERALLY a small percentage of what you can actually do with your license.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS