so, in this horrible economy i have been blessed enough to have been offered 2 positions. i feel very fortunate!
here's the problem (if you want to consider it a problem): both hospitals are great hospitals.
hospital a:
-very prestigous hospital
-great benefits
-the position is my preferred unit (cardiac stepdown); great cardiac program
-orientation is 8-12 wks (1:1 with preceptor); will take an ekg course and one or two other cardiac-related classes as part of orientation
-$7500 per yr towards a graduate degree (tuition reimbursement is very important to me)
-40% of the unit is staffed with new nurses
-$1200 relocation assistance
-because this is a prestigous hospital, i heard from several people that the environment can be very competitive (i can see this as being a strong motivator and also a distractor)
-this hospital cares for the sickest of the sick. i'll receive great experience here and this hospital will look great on my resume.
hospital b:
-not nearly as prestigious as hospital a but still has a very good reputation and a very good cardiac program; large teaching hospital, affiliated with a university
-this position is also my preferred unit (cardiac stepdown)
-wonderful benefits
-100% tuition reimbursement for a masters/doctorate
-16 wks in a internship program (working 1:1 with preceptor); residency program lasts for one yr (includes additional educational courses regarding use of the equipment, cardiac classes, and other professional development classes)---i love, love, love the fact that this hospital offers so much support to its new nurses through an internship/residency program
-the environment seemed very welcoming but i really haven't rec'd much feedback about this
-better pay than hospital a
if you're still reading this, thank you!!!
so, given this information, which would you choose?