New Graduate Residency versus a regular Full time RN position

[LOVE40]

I am a new graduate nurse with a BSN and I passed my boards in July. I have applied for many positions and now i was offered two. One is a residency on a Neuro/orthopedic unit and they will pay for my relocation, tuition reimbursement, and it is a full time position with the pay of an RN with a bachelors degree. The second is just a regular full time position on a neuro/orthopedic unit. My question is does a residency look good or bad on a resume? Also is it better to just take a regular full time nursing position? Some new graduates are telling me not to take the residency because they will treat me as if im a student and its better to just fall right into nursing rather than take your time. Another new graduate said she didn't take a residency because they baby you and that they do not look good on a resume. I really believe the residency is the better choice but I'm worried.

[llg, PhD, RN]

Residency programs have been established because so many new graduates have trouble adjusting to the work world after graduation. They find that transition so difficult that many of them flounder, get fired during orientation, quit during orientation, etc. Their careers get off to a horrible start. That's why residency programs have been established -- to help the new grad be successful with that transition by giving them the extra support most seem to need.

Having a residency program on your resume is VERY unlikely to hurt you in the future. In fact, most employers view it as a positive because you have been given additional education beyond the very basics you got in school.

Why would anyone take that kind of career advice from fellow new grads who have no experience in the hiring/management of nursing staff? Talk about the blind leading the blind .... (no offense to blind people intended)

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

My hospital will only hire new grads through a 6 month residency with a 2 year commitment. Pay is comparable to other hosp that don't have a residency program and I can climb a step on ladder within a couple of months; certainly less than a year. I got tuition reimbursement and if I had to move, they do offer relocation $$.

[gonzo1, ASN, RN]

Residency