Still on orientation but got another attractive offer

Nurses New Nurse

Published

Hello, I'm new to this site and this is my first post. I am looking for some advice regarding my job situation. It took me about 2 months to get a job after passing my boards. I applied to all of the local hospitals, had a view interviews, and eventually got a job about 25min from home at nice/new hospital. It is not the specialty I was looking for but I couldn't keep waiting around for the 'perfect" job to come along. I have been on orientation for a little over a month and just got a call from another local hospital about an interview with them(which i had applied to before getting my current job). It's not the specialty I wanted either but it does pay about $2500 more /yr not to mention I would be going from 36hr/wk to 40hr/wk and would bring in more money because of that as well. My wife works there, which means we could possibly share the commute (which is about 45min). It is also where I had my clinicals during school so I am already familiar with the computer charting system they have in place. The computer charting system at my current job is dated to say the least. It is probably my biggest frustration. Finding lab results took me about 10 seconds during clinicals at the other hospital, at my current job it takes at least 1-2minutes, with me trying to navigate through the equivalent to MS-DOS. But my manager is great, the other staff is helpful, and it it is closer to home. I'm just worried about burning bridges this early in my career. Any thoughts are appreciated. If I gave proper notice, do you think anyone would hold any grudges? Also, my wife and I talked about having a child within the next year or so and planned on her going per diem, so the extra income this new position would offer is appealing.

Thanks

Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

Welcome to our little world of AN!

It seems you've pretty much made your choice and are looking for validation. The "perfect" job is never the first one we take, and that's especially true in nursing. Most of us take a roundabout way into the specialty and position that fits us best. The harsh reality is that we've all gotta work somewhere. There are far more pros to taking the second job (assuming it's offered to you after the interview) than there are cons to leaving your current one. There is NO harm at all in at least interviewing. And if you choose in the end to take that second position, you're going to be in really good company. You give a decent amount of notice to your current employer, explain that the job wasn't a good fit for you and that rather than take up any more of their time and resources you're going to take another position that does fit you better. Honest, up-front and appealing to their best interests as well. Win-win!

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Keep in mind however that if you attempt to "give notice" while on orientation you will probably be immediately let go. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Specializes in being a Credible Source.
If I gave proper notice, do you think anyone would hold any grudges?
Yes, I think that people would hold a grudge. It's totally inappropriate, in my opinion, to take a new job shortly after starting a job - particularly while you're in orientation or shortly thereafter.
Specializes in Peds/Neo CCT,Flight, ER, Hem/Onc.

If you take the second job here's hoping you really like it because your current employer will hold a grudge and you're not likely to be rehired. Frankly, I'm not so sure I'd blame them. All that being said if you decide to go forward with the interview tell nobody at your current workplace and I mean nobody! If they get wind that you are even considering leaving they will drop you like a hot potato.

I would stay put at your current job.

It took me 3 months to find my first nursing job and once I got hired I started getting called for interviews at hospitals that I applied at several times.

I simply told them "I applied to your organization XX amount months ago and now I'm currently employed in a different organization. I am a loyal employee and want to continue my career with my current employer. However, I would be interested in working for your organization on a per diem basis in the near future".

I wouldnt jump ship if I were you.

I appreciate everyone's comments, especially the first one from janfrn. I found it interesting that you mentioned it sounded like I had already made up my mind about leaving my current position. I was actually leaning the other way, but after re-reading my original post I see how it could have been interpreted that way. I think I will probably give my current job at least a year before I would switch anywhere else. I'd like to eventually get into Home Health and it doesn't seem like I will be getting much dressing/wound care experience at my current position so I might find something more medsurg focused eventually. Again thanks for the posts.

Grass always looks greener on the other side. Stay for a year and you will know you will have a great record behind you with a boss you like. You may get to another place and even though you think you know about the other place you don't know your boss or your coworkers! Professionally staying where you are for now may be the better choice. Good luck in your new profession. I have been an RN for 40 years and know alot about alot! Regards.

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
I appreciate everyone's comments, especially the first one from janfrn. I found it interesting that you mentioned it sounded like I had already made up my mind about leaving my current position. I was actually leaning the other way, but after re-reading my original post I see how it could have been interpreted that way. I think I will probably give my current job at least a year before I would switch anywhere else. I'd like to eventually get into Home Health and it doesn't seem like I will be getting much dressing/wound care experience at my current position so I might find something more medsurg focused eventually. Again thanks for the posts.

You can always sign up for per-diem work at the second hospital or in a speciality where you think you might get more wound experience. Good luck!

Good luck with whatever you choose.

The way I am I would be looking for a way to work at both places.

Thanks for the replies. I think working at both is a good idea that I never really thought about.

+ Add a Comment