Newly license nurse what job should I take?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hello:

I am a newly license nurse in Texas I had being looking for a job since november 2010, I finally got a job offer in a hospital and I should be starting two weeks from now; the pay is really good is a PRN job no benefits, but I have the probabily to go full time once an opening comes around. I went to another interview today to a hospital that offers training, full time hours, benefits and will pay for my bachelors.

The only thing is that they won't give me an answer if I got hired or not until the day that I am suppose to start in the hospital that had already hired me! I can not delay to start in the hospital that already hired me since I was suppose to start two weeks ago, but I hold it since I really wanted to go to this interview hoping in getting hired sooner; even if I get hired in there I won't begin the job three months from now since their position wont be availble until that time.

As I said it has being really hard to find a job in Texas, and I am afraid of not accepting the job that is already sure for some other job that I do not even have an asnwer yet, but I know that the other hospital is a better match for my future.

What should I do?

Thank you !

0 Votes
Specializes in behavioral health.

Since, the job you were offered is a PRN position, why not accept it? If you hear from the other place, you can still be working in the meantime. It is PRN, so you would work when needed and to your schedule. PRN is usually very flexible. And, if you don't have another job offer, then you can work more at present job. Then, you may have an offer with benefits and FT hours.

Congratulations!:yeah:

0 Votes
Specializes in NICU.

Do you have no experience as a RN in a hospital? I'm surprised that they would hire you as a PRN nurse...they generally get little orientation. As a new grad, your life as a nurse is drastically different than in school. I would recommend getting a few weeks of orientation with the other job...

0 Votes
Specializes in L&D/Maternity nursing.
Do you have no experience as a RN in a hospital? I'm surprised that they would hire you as a PRN nurse...they generally get little orientation. As a new grad, your life as a nurse is drastically different than in school. I would recommend getting a few weeks of orientation with the other job...

thats not necessairly true. I am a new grad and just got a per diem position (acute rehab/med surg). I get 12 full weeks of orientation. I also interviewed today for another per diem position (tele) and the orientation period was the same.

perhaps you are thinking of an experienced RN going per diem. I would assume they would need little orientation-definitely less than a new grad, thats for sure!

OP-I agree with the first poster. Take the per diem position and if you get offered the full time position, then great! You can certainly do both as per diem scheduling is pretty flexible (once out of orientation that is).

0 Votes

Thank you so much for your so prompt replies.

I have not experience as RN (new grad), I was told by the hospital that had already hired me they will be giving me a two week orientation and after that I will be pretty much on my own (of course I can always call the charge nurse for help), now the other job will be my dream job; 18 weeks orientation, training classes, but I am not even sure if they will be calling me or not; besides it won't be available until June of July.

Thank you so much

0 Votes
Specializes in Pediatric Cardiology.
Thank you so much for your so prompt replies.

I have not experience as RN (new grad), I was told by the hospital that had already hired me they will be giving me a two week orientation and after that I will be pretty much on my own (of course I can always call the charge nurse for help), now the other job will be my dream job; 18 weeks orientation, training classes, but I am not even sure if they will be calling me or not; besides it won't be available until June of July.

Thank you so much

2 weeks orientation in a hospital? That does not sound like enough..

I agree with everyone else, take the PRN job but still go ahead with the FT job. You can definetely do both.

0 Votes
Specializes in ICU, ED, Trauma, Transplant.

If your dream job (full time with benefits, paid for education) isn't available for 3 months, then it sounds like a no-brainer. Three months of work is better than still being unemployed, so why not take the PRN now? Once your orientation with the PRN job is over, you'll be available to orient full time at your dream job. I know lots of nurses who have full time jobs at our huge university hospital, but they have on-call status at some of the rural hospitals outside our city and work whenever they feel like it at those smaller hospitals. If I had the time to do it, I'd do the same thing. PRN positions are very flexible, and you can work as little or as much as you'd like to. If your PRN employer doesn't think you're working enough shifts and asks you to quit, oh well, you already have a full time job elsewhere.

0 Votes
Specializes in NICU.
thats not necessairly true. I am a new grad and just got a per diem position (acute rehab/med surg). I get 12 full weeks of orientation. I also interviewed today for another per diem position (tele) and the orientation period was the same.

perhaps you are thinking of an experienced RN going per diem. I would assume they would need little orientation-definitely less than a new grad, thats for sure!

OP-I agree with the first poster. Take the per diem position and if you get offered the full time position, then great! You can certainly do both as per diem scheduling is pretty flexible (once out of orientation that is).

Two weeks orientation for a new grad with NO experience doesn't seem very safe. I'm not trying to be a debbie downer here, just putting in my two cents with my own experience and those that I've read of others. Does anyone else not see this?

0 Votes
Specializes in L&D/Maternity nursing.
Two weeks orientation for a new grad with NO experience doesn't seem very safe. I'm not trying to be a debbie downer here, just putting in my two cents with my own experience and those that I've read of others. Does anyone else not see this?

I was unaware that her orientation was 2 weeks when I wrote that. She responded saying such after my reply. I agree with you, 2 weeks isnt enough, and I wouldnt be comfortable with that. Heck, I am sure after my 12 that I will feel as if I still need more!

0 Votes

Yes, I agree 2 weeks orientation didnt sound good to me neither. another weird thing with the hospital where I got hired as PRN is that the clinical manager that hired me never return my calls neither my emails with questions that I have about the job. Even thought; he told me to call him or email him if I have any questions about the job. The only ones that return my calls or emails are the HR ladies. It just make wonder how reliable is he as unit manager. I appreciate all your guys replies back to me. As a new grad I need all the advise that I can get from nurses that are already working in the field. You guys can see things and have ideas that I can not see yet. I appreciate it

0 Votes

Where in Texas are you?

0 Votes
Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

We provide new grads 9 weeks of oriention. They also have a year long cohort nurse residency that they attend monthly for 4-8 hours each time.

2 weeks is nothing.

I'd suggest taking the part-time position and continue to look.

If the FT position comes through, take it and just reduce your prn availability (or quit completely) with 3 months under your belt

0 Votes
+ Add a Comment