New Grad w/an offer but now an interview for dream(?) job!

Nurses Career Support

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So I accepted an offer to be a dialysis nurse. I just got an interview for ED residency at the very busy county hospital. I always wanted ED, but I'm worried if I should do it right out of school, especially w/2 young kids. But I definitely don't want to get 'stuck' in dialysis forever & I think the ER experience coupled with being part of a hospital system will help me more later. And I would learn so much in the ED! But how do you know if you can handle the stress & fast-paced environment?? Then dialysis nursing is stressful to (12:1 ratio). I just don't know what to do. How would I even back out if the other offer??

I'd say go to the interview and see where it goes from there. Sounds like you are leaning more towards ER from what I read on your post, you can always transfer later to another floor if you don't like it, since you'll already be within the hospital system. I'd say ED would be a great advantage for a new grad because it will help you develop your prioritization and critical thinking skills, you will become familiar with a lot of meds, you will see a variety of conditions. Maybe I'm a little biased towards ED :)

If you decline the offer as a dialysis nurse, wait till you have a formal offer for the ED and just call the dialysis nurse job and tell them that with regret you are going to have to decline the job because a better offer came along unexpectedly.

Good luck to whatever you choose.

Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

If ED is what you truly want--or at least want more than dialysis--then go on the interview because you have nothing to lose. If you do receive an official offer from the ED, then call the dialysis place and withdraw from the position. There is a risk that you may burn a bridge with the dialysis place...but that can't always be helped. Do try to withdraw from the position on the best terms possible, i.e., call them ASAP and don't leave them hanging.

Two cautions:

1. Keep in mind that new grad jobs are few and far between, so IMO do NOT turn down the dialysis job until you have another official job offer lined up. At least think long and hard about telling the dialysis job No. If you decide to withdraw from the dialysis job before getting another job and the ED interview fails to pan out, it may be a long time before another job offer comes your way.

And the only thing worse than being a new grad is becoming an old new grad since you didn't get hired. Better to be working as a RN in dialysis than not working at all.

2. Also keep in mind that an interview does not equal job offer: there's tons of threads here from new grads who can attest to that. In fact, until you get an official job offer from HR, you don't have a job. Doesn't matter what the NM says or promises in the interview...there's tons of threads here that can attest to this as well.

Best of luck!

Great advice! thanks. I definitely wouldn't refuse the dialysis offer until I've gotten a written offer from the ER! I struggled too much to get a job in the first place. I'm so excited for this opportunity :-)

Specializes in LTC, Agency, HHC.
Great advice! thanks. I definitely wouldn't refuse the dialysis offer until I've gotten a written offer from the ER! I struggled too much to get a job in the first place. I'm so excited for this opportunity :-)

How did it go? What did you decide?!

How did it go? What did you decide?!

I ended up getting an l&d & an ER offer in addition to dialysis. I drove myself & everyone else crazy for a week & then accepted the ER position. I can't wait!

Specializes in LTC, Agency, HHC.
I ended up getting an l&d & an ER offer in addition to dialysis. I drove myself & everyone else crazy for a week & then accepted the ER position. I can't wait!

Awesome!! I apply here shortly for a residency in L&D. That's my dream job! Congrats, and enjoy your new career!

Awesome!! I apply here shortly for a residency in L&D. That's my dream job! Congrats, and enjoy your new career!

Thank you! Good luck to you!

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