Potential 2 jobs. Need advice

[Nerdy Nurse]

Hi! 'm a new grad, took the NCLEX in May and passed. I applied to a lot of jobs and in August, I got a per diem offer at a pediatric rehabilitation facility. The pay is good and nurse=pt ratio is 1:4 or 5, but it's around 20 miles away from I live and the background check was projected to take 4-6 weeks. The supervisor said that while I'm per diem, it doesn't mean that I can't have full hours in a week. I accepted the verbal offer, but I did not sign any job offer paperwork whatsoever. I did already start the background check though.

The week after that, I got called in for an interview at an acute rehabilitation hospital that I also applied to. I went to it anyway just in case. The pay is slightly lower than the first, but it's much closer to home. The patient load is 8-10 and the routine is similar to med-surg units in acute hospitals, but the acuity is expected to be lower here of course. They didn't offer me a position right away.

Fast-forward to 3 weeks later, both called at the same day. The first call I received was from the second job I applied to (acute rehab hospital). They offered me a full-time position and I accepted it. I thought it was the more practical job if I ever have to choose only one: I'm guaranteed a full-time position that I need even if the hourly rate is lower, it's closer to my home, and there will be more opportunities to improve my skills and knowledge as a nurse.

However, I got another call in the afternoon and this time it's from my first job (peds rehab facility). Apparently my background check is done and clear and they told me that my orientation is next week and I said okay lol. Now, I'll be working 2 jobs because I really do not want to let go of first job since they really seem to have a good workplace and I like working with kids. I figured I'd just tell them that I've accepted a full-time position at a rehab hospital, but still want to keep my job there and work per diem (like I was offered to).

Am I being greedy? This is my first time having to work ever and I have not done anything for the past 4-5 months since passing the NCLEX. I want to make up for that time and I feel bad and uncomfortable quitting the first job before I even began and since we already did the background check and everything. Any advice on how to approach them to let them know about my full-time job and if we can possibly work around my full-time schedule? I'm per diem there but is it reasonable to ask them if I can work with them just once a week of my own choosing? Sorry, I really know nothing about this. :/

[HermioneG, BSN, RN]

I would choose one, and stick with it. I'm a new grad and I can tell you the learning curve is steep. You're at a high risk for spreading yourself too thin and underperforming on one or both jobs and burning out.

Trust me on this. You're a new grad. Do not work two jobs. Choose one and dedicate yourself to the place, and to learning as much as you can. After you find your groove if you want a second job do it. But don't try and do two in the beginning. Not to mention the fact that starting a single job and establishing yourself there is hard enough, but to START two jobs at the same time is not advisable. And then there's trying to manage two schedules, acclimating to two workplace cultures, running at different speeds, etc.

And then there's the fact that one job would be 25 miles away. As a new grad? Heavens no.

Sorry to poop on your parade.. that's just my opinion.

edit: the ending was a little too blunt. You'll make the right decision for you, as you can see I just feel very strongly about it. Good luck with everything and congrats on the two job offers!

[Nerdy Nurse]

I would choose one, and stick with it. I'm a new grad and I can tell you the learning curve is steep. You're at a high risk for spreading yourself too thin and underperforming on one or both jobs and burning out.

Trust me on this. You're a new grad. Do not work two jobs. Choose one and dedicate yourself to the place, and to learning as much as you can. After you find your groove if you want a second job do it. But don't try and do two in the beginning. Not to mention the fact that starting a single job and establishing yourself there is hard enough, but to START two jobs at the same time is not advisable. And then there's trying to manage two schedules, acclimating to two workplace cultures, running at different speeds, etc.

And then there's the fact that one job would be 25 miles away. As a new grad? Heavens no.

Sorry to poop on your parade.. that's just my opinion.

edit: the ending was a little too blunt. You'll make the right decision for you, as you can see I just feel very strongly about it. Good luck with everything and congrats on the two job offers!

Woops, my bad! I guess I exaggerated the number of miles and checking it back, 20 miles is more accurate (not that there's so much difference). I agree with you to be honest. I am considering just sticking to one job since I do not want to burn myself out early in my career. I just don't know how I'd go around quitting the other one if I've ever decided on it...

Also, thank you for your advice and I really appreciate your post! :)

PS: Hermione Granger rocks!

[FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN]

The per diem nurses in my hospital agree to work one winter holiday, one summer holiday and one weekend day every other pay period.

But I would think that to orient, you would need to work more.

I think you should call the per diem job and tell them you were offered full time and accepted, but you would still like to orient to per diem. Will this be possible?

If so, do it. You can always drop one later.