I think working on a med/surg unit in a hospital would be ideal. That's where I started right after nursing school. I learned so much. You can read it in a book. but actually seeing it and doing it Is the best way to learn. How can they expect new grads to have "experience". Maybe you could find one that has a mentor program. I've read about them. Someone to take you under their wing and provide guidance and support. Check around and see if any hospitals in Houston have this program.

My first nursing job as an RN fresh out of school was in the OR. This was a terrible place to start. I was sexually harrassed all the time by doctors, other staff members and no one cared or noticed. I spent one year here and finally transferred to the newborn nursery where I would be working with all women a majority of the time. This turned out the be the best thing ever. I have studied pediatrics now for 16 years. I would never recommend a new nurse to start in the OR. I hope things have changed alot since I started but I am afraid it really hasn't. I would recommend a new nurse start on a basic med-surg floor or maybe a highly supervised peds/nursery floor ect. I would not recommened labor and delivery/ the OR/ or Emergency department. They are just tooo complicated for a brand new nurse to learn the basics.

I worked in an OR also -- YUCK! i couldn't stand the "jokes", the back-stabbing, and the general negative attitude!

I worked in physical rehab first, then the OR, then back to rehab. Ended up in home health for ten years! Now I work in the pharmaceutical industry, teaching people with MS to give their own injections.

According to the article in the following link http://edu.nursinglink.com/articles/66-surviving_first_year_as_hospital_rn new RN grads end up quitting teir first nursing job after 6 mos. The author suggests for a new RN to work in a specialy unit such as the labor and delivery unit first because the patients are homogenous or 'allike' - same needs is what I interpret from the author. I also read in a different article that the ICU would be a good place to assist with patients (less patients to care for but their health is on the down-side). What other specialty units can you suggest for a new RN graduate? (I have yet to begin my prerequisite courses for the ADN-RN Program; I am anxious in finding out more from experienced health care pros like you folks).