Help deciding between new grad jobs!

Nurses Job Hunt

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These are all potential scenarios because I haven't had a formal offer yet but I have been told news is good and should get offers soon at some point. Here are the options..

Burn ICU (hospital a)

Cardiothoracic ICU (hospital a)

Hospital a pays 65k base, 1,200bsn, 6,600night. Not sure if it will be for day or night and not sure which unit i may get offers from both, none or one. Job asked if i had other offers, informed them of offer from hospital b and they told me theyd do their best to give me an update asap. Id like to add that the morale/manager on bicu seemed to make me feel motivated and feel like id learn a lot. cticu seemed great because i love heart and it was my original goal coming out of school.

Med-Surg (hospital b)

Hospital b pays 72k base, 1,300bsn, 6,000 night. Also, not sure if it will be for day or night. This job is pretty much a guaranteed offer within the next few days. I enjoy medsurg but would prefer critical care. The question is whether the extra money is worth it and also i'm not sure if the morale would be as great as the other two options?

Thanks so much. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! (p.s. i have ~45k in loans but living rent free atm so the loans are my only bills)

As a new grad that loves the ICU too... I'm thinking med-surg first (for myself at least - here's why):

1. It really teaches you to prioritize.

2. As a new nurse in the ICU, it can be very easy to lose your license. Not trying to scare or discourage you at all, but these are heavy duty patients. Think of all the cardiac meds, drips, sedation, EVD's, hemodynamic monitoring devices, trached pts, etc.

3. Also, I don't know how well prepared I am to deal with families in the ICU - ex. families who won't let go of a loved one who clearly needs to be on hospice care instead of prolonging their suffering. I feel like Med-Surg would give me the experience I need to deal with families and sensitive subjects like health care proxies, living wills, DNR/DNIs...

Once you're working as a med-surg nurse for a year or two, maybe you can move on within that same hospital to the ICU. Hospitals usually just want 1-2 years of direct nursing experience. Once you have that, it'll open so many doors. Also, keep in mind that people are going to retire in 1-2 years time too = more opportunities for newer nurses. Try to get to know the nurse manager of the ICU in the med-surg hospital. They may hold a spot for you once something opens up. Let people know how interested you are in the ICU. Word will get around fast. =)

Best of luck to you though!

Thats great advice! Yeah, I called the hospital with the critical care positions and was told theyll leave a message with the manager and get back to me. As far as the med surg hospital... I called today and the manager told me she is shocked HR hasn't called me with the offer. She told me she'd get in contact with them and to give her til as long as tomorrow to hear back. The med surg job could be as much as 14k difference in salary. It could be anywhere from 79-82k whereas the other hospital pays 68-72k. Also, the hospital for med surg has better benefits (1199). They cover 100% tuition up to 18 credits per year. The other hospital covers 15 creds or 3,500 bucks... :(

Bumping my post! (UPDATE)

I finally got offered the med surg job. I also got offered CTICU at the other hospital but was told its part time with "full time" hours. It is 4 week orientation and 4 month preceptorship. As I said before the money is a little less but the fact that its part time scares me because im not sure if ill be guaranteed a certain amount of hours or how it works. They gave me the weekend to think about it and were really nice about the whole situation. I am not sure whether to tell them about my other offer, to counter and ask for full time or what??? I feel like ICU is my calling and im a bit more excited to it over med-surg.

opinions desperately needed

I don't buy into the "med surg before specialty" stuff. Med surg itself is a specialty really, so where are we supposed to start?!?!? One person in particular praises her 9 months med surg experience that was nearly 40 years ago as essential to her now. Really????? Really????? And says "it's such a shame they started you in l&d, it's such a set back. You should have waited for a med surg position" and also says "I know you are waiting for that year and then you are leaving"..... She's the only vocal negative nancy but I've heard one or two say the same thing. Do what your heart says and SHINE! Show those negative Nancy's what's up!

You must live in California? I am in disbelief that a new grad will make 72k a year!!! Wow!!! New grads where I live start at $21.50 an hour which equals about 42k a year I believe. I know it's relative but still that sounds like a ton of money!!!

I would be ecstatic if I were you I don't know any new grads that have two offers!!! Most of us are just dying to take anything at al!!! And for very little pay for that matter!

I would be ecstatic if I were you I don't know any new grads that have two offers!!! Most of us are just dying to take anything at al!!! And for very little pay for that matter!

Great! Pay! I live in AL and I'm a new graduate as of Aug 6 and I'm still unemployed. New RN here are making around $17-$25 depending on the hospital/shift. ICU sounds exciting! Do what your calling is. I would pray about it. The Lord will lead your path just trust in him!! Best Wishes in your new career!

where in AL starts at $17 an hr that's horrible!!! I just moved here and I was hoping for at least $20 an hr!! I made $19 an hr an LPN!

Specializes in Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant.

I'd find out if "part-time with full time hours" means no benefits & factor that in. I have some classmates who were hired "part-time" only to work full time hours w/out medical insurance or a 401k. I personally favor full-time benefited positions over part-time ones. What are the job prospects long-term with the unit? Maybe see if you can speak with recently hired new grad RNs about their experience at the hospital?

I don't really know about this mandatory med/surg for a year myth that gets thrown around all the time. Fair compensation, high quality training, and future job security are all critical factors. If this is offered to you and happens to be in a specialty you're interested in, go for it. I started as a new grad on a specialty unit earlier this year - peds bone marrow transplant. I wanted oncology, I had a previous career in child education which looked good on my application and was offered a 5 month paid precepted training + two year full-time benefited contract at a great, supportive hospital. It was my first and only job offer, paying less than other hospitals, & I probably would've taken anything (since I was applying to every type of job under the sun). Just so happened I landed something I was looking for on the first go and I am very pleased with it so far. -- on a side note, night shifts are pretty aweful & I NEVER had any intention of working in peds but now I love it --

New Grads can flourish in any environment with the right support and training. Following what makes you feel inspired and excited in life is always a good idea. If ICU/Critical Care is where your heart is -- especially since you live rent free and can afford a little lower pay -- then I would say go for that one. I also see a lot of positives in the benefits, extra income to pay down loans +a broader nursing practice foundation, from the med/surg offer. It's really nice that you have options! You must be a very competitive candidate.

Let us know how it goes! : )

The hospital with CTICU is a great hospital in its own but had a lot of layoffs here and there the past 2 years but it has slowed down the hospital says it wont happen that badly again. the other med surg hospital is probably a more secure job but I don't think it will be easy or quick to transfer to a critical care unit. I feel that I should take the risk and go for CTICU now while its guaranteed and as long as i get 6mo-1yr of experience i can xfer to another hospital if im laid off. As far as benefits, I can still stay under my parents insurance for 2 yrs til im 26 (thanks to obama). I must say that I am scared as hell to take such a risky job but I just feel like the benefits will outweigh the risks if things go well for around a year. The money is less but I'm not in dire need of it. Extra money would be great but I'm still quite young and feel like taking a risk now is the best time.

Specializes in Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant.

Sounds like you know your answer. I wish you the best on CTICU!!!

where in AL starts at $17 an hr that's horrible!!! I just moved here and I was hoping for at least $20 an hr!! I made $19 an hr an LPN!

$17/ in Foley, AL

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