Potential Job Dilemma

[SunriseSunset2012]

I'm a new nurse and jobs for us recent grads are hard to come by, especially in my local market. I applied for all the local nurse residencies and hadn't heard anything, even after calling/emailing to follow up. I got desperate and called a contact at a nursing home and got a job there, but I don't have my start date yet. Now, I just got calls for interviews at two top hospitals and one is next week. Other friends who work there say they usually do several rounds of interviews before being hired, so I don't even know if I'll get past round one, but I think I have a really good chance at being hired.

So what do I do? I mean, I realize I have to take the job I actually have because it's better than no job, but how do I handle my start date in order to accommodate this interview next week? And what if I get a job offer at the hospital where I'd rather work a month after I've started at the nursing home? It's a nice nursing home, so I would actually feel a bit guilty leaving versus if it were a crappy nursing home (I know some nurses who've worked one shift and quit at awful facilities).

Any ideas?

[ckh23, BSN, RN]

You do what you have to do. I say take the job you were offered because a job is better than no job. If you can, push your start to after the interviews if you can. If you get the jobs at the other hospitals you can do one of two things. Either drop to a per diem status if the nursing home allows it or resign your position.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

I agree. I wouldn't turn down a job ( especially since you said it is a nice facility ) just because you MIGHT end up with a job elsewhere.

[SunriseSunset2012]

Thank you. I think I'm going to take it and try to delay my start date, so that I don't have any conflicts with job interviews.