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Taylor
Student
Elko, Nevada
2
Questions
Updated
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Where is the best field to start in as a first year nurse? #Spring25
I have heard that it is a good idea to start in the floating pool of the hospital. I have also heard about starting in a doctors office as soon as possible. #Spring25
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1 answer
Charlotte Geiger
Public Health Science Student at the University of Maryland
151
Answers
Sykesville, Maryland
Updated
Charlotte’s Answer
Hi,
Both options you’ve heard about — starting in the hospital float pool or working in a doctor’s office — have good points, but the best place to start as a first-year nurse usually depends on your long-term goals.
Here’s the honest breakdown:
Hospital (especially float pool):
You get exposed to many different units — med-surg, ER, ICU, etc.
You build strong, flexible clinical skills fast.
Hospitals usually offer better training programs for new grads (like nurse residency programs).
It can be stressful, but it gives you a very strong foundation if you ever want to specialize later (ICU, ER, OR, etc.) or go into advanced practice nursing.
Doctor’s Office (clinic setting):
More regular hours (no nights, weekends, or holidays most of the time).
Less intense patient situations — mostly stable patients, follow-up care, education.
It’s a great fit if you want long-term work-life balance early, but you might miss out on building critical care skills that hospitals teach.
Overall:
If you want to build the strongest clinical foundation, grow your skills fast, and keep options open (like advanced practice or leadership later), starting in a hospital float pool is usually the better first step.
If you already know you want a lower-stress, steady schedule (and you don't plan on going into high-acuity fields later), starting in a doctor's office could be right for you.
Both options you’ve heard about — starting in the hospital float pool or working in a doctor’s office — have good points, but the best place to start as a first-year nurse usually depends on your long-term goals.
Here’s the honest breakdown:
Hospital (especially float pool):
You get exposed to many different units — med-surg, ER, ICU, etc.
You build strong, flexible clinical skills fast.
Hospitals usually offer better training programs for new grads (like nurse residency programs).
It can be stressful, but it gives you a very strong foundation if you ever want to specialize later (ICU, ER, OR, etc.) or go into advanced practice nursing.
Doctor’s Office (clinic setting):
More regular hours (no nights, weekends, or holidays most of the time).
Less intense patient situations — mostly stable patients, follow-up care, education.
It’s a great fit if you want long-term work-life balance early, but you might miss out on building critical care skills that hospitals teach.
Overall:
If you want to build the strongest clinical foundation, grow your skills fast, and keep options open (like advanced practice or leadership later), starting in a hospital float pool is usually the better first step.
If you already know you want a lower-stress, steady schedule (and you don't plan on going into high-acuity fields later), starting in a doctor's office could be right for you.
Thank you for giving me advice.
Taylor