I’m a new grad wanting to go into orthopedics in Houston, TX. I am having a hard time finding jobs due to no experience. Any suggestions?

Be flexible. When I was a new grad wanting to get into the ICU, not many were hiring new grads, so I extended my job search to anything available to get experience. Fortunately, I was able to get a job in the ICU, and you may be able to do the same. God has led my career, as I’ve let go of needing to have absolute control over where I go. It’s always worked out! Don’t give up hope, and keep pursuing your goal, while remaining flexible.

I was floated to an orthopedic floor, and my experience there was that you ensure pain is controlled, have ice packs available, follow strict activity orders, and have the patients ready for physical therapy early in the morning. Of course, many patients come with comorbidities, so you’ll have to manage those, as well, but they’re not the focus. You can always speak to having some knowledge of what it means to be an orthopedic nurse.

Are there any new grad positions in a hospital? Most of them plan for new grads (give then a course on real life nursing and give them a mentor). See if any of them have an opening on an ortho floor. Get a year or a few months under your belt and you can go anywhere.

Try UTHealth or Texas Orthopedic Hospital.

Some Hospital have training programs for new grads to train in specialty areas. If you do decide go to med/surg do not stay for long. Specialty floors like new and fresh nurses to train. I was told it’s easier to train a new grad vs training some that set in their train of thought in nursing.

It's easier to get a "New Grad Med/Surg" training program first then after 9-12 months leverage that into an "Orthopedic Position"!!!

Texas Orthopedic Hospital. They most likely have a residency program for new grads.