help choosing a job?

Compassionate_Nurse · Jul 10, 2005

I would chose the rotational job from the best hospital. If you get your dream job at a place you hate to work then it will no longer be your dream job, I know some days at work I feel like I can not take adequate care of my patients-sometimes I cant even remember any of their names because I have been so busy or have too many patients. All that and I like my job and the hospital I work for!? If that many people have left it is not because of a small offense because nurses do not like change and hate to change jobs. Bide your time and get a little experience on med-surg or something for 6 months and then change to the oncology floor. It sounds like the hospital you currently work for is looking out for their patients best intrest and that is a good thing. Have you thought about staying there on med-surg or something and then moving to their oncology floor? It sounds like you really like your job there.

I am a new grad looking for my first nursing position. I have several offers, so finding the job isn't the difficult part. I have too many offers to consider!! A little background info: this is my second career, I found the love for nursing while caring for my ill mother, I have always wanted to do oncology, I worked at a respected cancer center while in school unfortunatly they do not hire new grads (they tell me now!!!) and this work cemented the want to work in oncology. Back to the offers...Two are rotational programs, work several floors until you find a fit for you; one is an offer on nuerosurgery floor with hopes for an opening in oncology in 6 mo, last is offer on an oncology floor. So it seems easy, right, just pick the last one BUT this hospital has an awful rep in town. Several nurses have left (rumor: 45 quit in one day), have spoken to a few who have left they say mangement sucks and mandatory 5 12's and lots of sour grapes. Recruiter says this is all nonsense. I did get a warm, fuzzy feeling while there, I really liked the nurse manager and everyone seems down to earth BUT she has only been there 8 weeks (maybe still in the honeymoon phase?) and they recruited her from another state. Can any seasoned nurses give me their opinion, do I take the one I want or am just crazy?
Teena

BETSRN · Jul 10, 2005

I am a new grad looking for my first nursing position. I have several offers, so finding the job isn't the difficult part. I have too many offers to consider!! A little background info: this is my second career, I found the love for nursing while caring for my ill mother, I have always wanted to do oncology, I worked at a respected cancer center while in school unfortunatly they do not hire new grads (they tell me now!!!) and this work cemented the want to work in oncology. Back to the offers...Two are rotational programs, work several floors until you find a fit for you; one is an offer on nuerosurgery floor with hopes for an opening in oncology in 6 mo, last is offer on an oncology floor. So it seems easy, right, just pick the last one BUT this hospital has an awful rep in town. Several nurses have left (rumor: 45 quit in one day), have spoken to a few who have left they say mangement sucks and mandatory 5 12's and lots of sour grapes. Recruiter says this is all nonsense. I did get a warm, fuzzy feeling while there, I really liked the nurse manager and everyone seems down to earth BUT she has only been there 8 weeks (maybe still in the honeymoon phase?) and they recruited her from another state. Can any seasoned nurses give me their opinion, do I take the one I want or am just crazy?
Teena

Before you make any decisions, talk to the nurses that actually work on the units. A hospital with a negative reputation couldf be a really bad experience for you.

You will always have the opportunity to go into Oncology at some point. What you need now is a good positive initial experience as a new grad. Go where they will give you LOTS of training and orientation.

Personally, just from what you have described above, I wouldn't touch that one hospital with a 10 foot pole! Of course the recruiter is going to try and grab you........because they are desperate and losing nurses right and left!

Take the hospital that gives you the most experience as an orientee. You'll learn a lot and aquire a lot of excellent experience rotating around: not to mention you will have a foot in the door many places and make many excellent contacts.

remember, there is a REASON that this other place has a bad reputation. Do you really want to jeopardize yourself not to mention your hard earned license?

Best of luck. Oncology will always be there and it is never bad to get a good solid med-surg background before you specialize. Remember that cancer patients can have multiple unrelated medical problems as well and you will need a clear understanding of the systems.

rjflyn, ASN, RN · Jul 10, 2005

Why not ask the hospitals for references, they ask the same of you . Ask them to allow you to talk with staff from the floors you want to work on. If they do make sure you cover all shifts- we all know management isnt there at night and things are different, its suprising what you hear from different shift on the same unit. Talk to old timers as well as new nurses. One thing that I dont see mentioned is benefits. With all the jobs out there if one doesnt like a particular place one can always go elsewhere.

rj:rolleyes: