Is it really so terrible to never work on a ward?

[StudentChildNurse]

I'm a student nurse (child field) soon to be qualified in the next year so I'm looking at jobs.

When I'm on placement I do enjoy the ward work, it's not something I dislike. But I really do want to go into community, I've wanted to do it since I started to be perfectly honest. Preferably something like health visiting where I've got my own case load and get to see regular people, but I know that requires extra training so im prepared to wait for that.

Everyone keeps telling me not to go straight into community because you'll never get back into anything clinical and you won't have the same knowledge other nurses do.

Thing is, I'm a single parent of a 4 year old. When I'm on placement at the moment the hours are so long I barely see her. She can't stay at home the night before and can't always stay at home the night after a shift. At the moment during placement I literally feel like she doesn't live with me and I just see her when I'm not working. It's suddenly dawned on me, when job searching I guess, that this wouldn't just be for 8 weeks at a time, this will soon be my life.

So WIBU to just put my focus into community? Am i going to regret it or not have the right knowledge? Would it be so awful?

Or alternatively if any nurses with similar circumstances has any advice it would be really appreciated.

I have been qualified mumble years now and it was always drummed into me that you "need" acute experience but I have many colleagues who have only done specialist community nursing. The wards will always be there if you want a change/circumstances change later on.

I know someone who did this and it was quite frowned on. I think a year of ward work would be useful. Could you do daycare if shifts will be an issue?

Also many of the areas I loved as a student. I hated as qualified!

Not bad at all. If community is were your heart is go for it.

Personally I’d recommend some Ward work first. It really does consolidate and enhance your training. It’s a whole different experience, and something I’d say was vital to round out your skills. It’s totally different as a qualified nurse, and a continued learning experience.

Hi OP, I personally think it's rubbish that you can't go straight into the community. I know of several adult nurses who did it. Every area has its different skill sets, so wherever you go there are skills that you won't learn in other areas. I personally did some Acute hospital work but I've never worked on a general ward and I have no wish to (I did specialist areas). I'm in the community now and it's certainly more family friendly. The only thing to be aware of is that as a newly qualified you can get less support in the community as you'll be expected to go out on your own fairly early. In a hospital you always have others around to ask questions and give support if needed. However, as long as you know your own limitations and you have someone that you can call with any questions or issues, you'll be fine.

I've never worked on a ward - I went straight to A&E after I qualified. While it's certainly not for everyone I have never regretted it

I think because community is so autonomous it would be good to get some ward experience only from the point of view of being exposed to lots of different things that you may not have already. Most employers want to see that you can work alone safely and I think working on a ward would give you some great experience. Even if only for 6 months.

Congrats BTW, fantastic career

As an add on, 6 months in paeds ED would also be fabulous

I went straight into the community (adult) after doing my sign off placement there. I do a real mixture of activities, everything from wound care to catheters to end of life care - certainly don't feel unskilled! The only thing I don't do that a ward nurse might do regularly is cannulation.

If it's what you want to do, then go for it. If paediatric community nursing is anything like adult, they're in dire need of more nurses. I've found the training is good, and the support is great - yes, you don't have a colleague in the next bay to talk to, but my colleagues are always on the other end of the phone, and we have really good communication throughout the day.

I’m a third year student nurse (adult) and planning on heading to HDU/critical care straight upon qualifying. The narrative about needing general surgical/medical wards seems to be changing - partly I think driven by the shortages. Whilst there is value in the skills developed on these wards, specialist areas utilise specialist skills which often can only be developed in these areas. I know plenty of adult nurses going straight into community, health visiting and crit care/A+E. The risk of burn out in nursing is high, I think this can only be increased in an area you dislike working in.

I work in the community ( adult) we are trying to remove the idea that post qualifying ward work is needed after qualifying. In our teams we have several preceptor nurses who are brilliant, and have settled into the teams really well. There are courses and support available to develop skills and experience and as a pp said there is always someone at the end of a phone.

The opportunity is available in the community for all!

I don't agree you need ward/acute experience - people who have worked on community day it a lot.

I'm a community nurse - I have never worked on a ward - I hated them during my training. We've had people come to us from wards who are shocked at what we actually do in peoples homes. It's not all call the midwife riding on bikes and drinking tea and eating cake with the nuns.

I meant haven't worked in community say it 🤦🏻‍♀️