Confused about hiring process

[peripateticRN, BSN, RN]

So... I am in the market for a new position and have applied to ++ positions and I've interviewed for 3 positions in the last 2 weeks. There is one position I was hoping for more than the rest - it is PRN, close to home, and in a field of interest.

On Wed last week, I got an offer for another position that I was less excited about.

So Wed night I emailed the manager at the preferred position just to ask if they had made decisions yet. She responded right away and said they had one more reference to check, everything looks great and she anticipates calling me with an offer in the afternoon.

I got an email from my ref (I assume the one they were waiting on) saying she provided the ref for me on Thursday am.

Since then - I've heard nothing. I emailed back on Friday to ask if they were unable to contact my reference. If so, I could give another that they could contact that day for sure.

As I have to let the other job know if I want it, I'm in a bit of a time crunch, so I called and left a message on Tuesday afternoon this week to please let me know either way... and nothing.

I have no idea what to think here. Any thoughts on how to proceed? Have I already been too forward with an email and voicemail? Everytime my phone rings I get excited thinking this must be the call I'm waiting for.... but alas no. Should I accept the other position and just move on?

[NurseCard, ADN]

Well, you could go ahead and accept the other position. Then if you do

finally get this job that you really want, you'll just have to let the other

job know, hey thanks for the opportunity, but another one has come up.

If I were really needing a job and soon... that's what I would do.

[peripateticRN, BSN, RN]

You think it's ok to accept and then turn it down later? I am really reluctant to burn bridges.

Ugh.. Job searching can be so exciting but suck so hard at the same time!

[NurseCard, ADN]

Well, it's not ideal honestly. Again, it depends on how bad you are needing

a job and how soon. Would you hate to not accept this one job because

you are waiting to hear from the other job... only to end up not getting

either job? What are the chances that you'll get another offer anytime

soon, after that?

[sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN]

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush...

You have received excellent advice

Best wishes, please keep us informed...