Dilemma: Wait for RN Residency or Take Job Offer?

[maridepe]

I'm a new graduate nurse who graduated on May 2016 and passed the NCLEX on November 2016. I've been struggling trying to get my first job offer, applying to both new grad RN positions and RN residencies. However, since it's been a year, I decided to use a very strong connection (who has a 2-decade history) for a Med-Surg position in a small hospital that specializes in psychiatric services.

I have an upcoming interview with the manager tomorrow, but I've applied to residencies that start in February 2018. When I spoke with her on the phone, she sounded eager for me to start the new employee orientation on the 2nd week of December. However, I keep thinking "What if I get accepted in a residency this time?"

One of the hospitals I've applied to is also a children's hospital. Though I'm open to caring for anyone, I've always wanted to work with kids as a CVICU nurse. I know I can transition into the hospital (or any hospital) eventually with experience, but this is my dream job that I can get into sooner!

Should I cancel my interview and possibly wait for the results of my residency despite the risk of no positions being open at that time? Should I tell the manager that I've applied to these residencies? If I get the job, should I take it and resign when I've had positive results in my residency?

I'm so conflicted!

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Well, you'd first need to have the job offer. However, a job offer is a sure thing vs. holding out for what is only a potential. It's also been well over a year since you graduated- I'm surprised you're being considered for new grad residencies as usually they require within 12 months of graduation.

[maridepe]

These residencies didn't have the "graduated within 1-2 years" requirement. The CEO emailed my connection that she was "excited for me to become part of the team" and the manager asked for my immunization history, which my mother (veteran RN with over 40 years of experience) stated was a requirement for after getting hired.

I know I can't assume I got the job, but I'm thinking "What if?" I just want to be prepared; I'm quite scared for myself.

[Julius Seizure]

Never close other doors until you have a job offer in hand. Sure, apply to the residencies but until you get accepted to one - officially, in writing, with a start date - keep doing interviews and don't turn things down. You don't want to place all of your eggs in a basket that may not even exist.

Take the interview, do your very best, and see what comes.

[FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN]

Definitely go to the interview.

[Salsacat]

Absolutely, positively take the job you potentially have with the strong connections. It's been a year, and those don't come around every day!! However, go ahead and continue to pursue the dream job as well. First of all, you may very well not get it. Positions in peds CVICUs are few and far between for new grads. Secondly, they take a long time to even decide who to interview, let alone make a hiring decision. So, even if you get an interview, and they hire you, it will take months. And, that way you will have been working and hopefully getting a sense of how the other place contributes to your goals. You may find you like the first place much more than you anticipated and be fine, regardless of the other potential offer. Or, they may offer and you find that you feel like quitting the first job and taking your dream job makes the most sense for you.You'll feel awkward for awhile but that's okay - this is the rest of your life we are talking about. So take care of ourself and your career first! Good luck:-)

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Go on the interview. And keep interviewing until you either a. have a job offer, or b. have an acceptance letter for the residency.

Let's be realistic: you are now an old new grad. Few things are worse that being that, because being an old new grad limits your employment opportunities. Few residencies will consider graduates out of a school for over a year--you're fortunate to have found ones that did...but what happens if they don't accept you? New grad positions may be a little less strict about how long you've been out of school, but then you're also competing with newer graduates.

Plus the longer you remain unemployed, the harder it will be for you to get a job: employers start wondering why other employers didn't want to hire you.

As time goes on, you can't afford to be picky about your first job...which BTW, isn't necessarily your forever job. It's just your first job. Many nurses don't start in their dream speciality, but instead start elsewhere and work their way over to it.

If you get this job and then find out you got into the residency program...well, if you really really really have your heart set on the residency, you could resign. But remember, mom and connections notwithstanding, you may be burning a bridge by leaving so soon...and if things don't work out with the residency, you might find it hard to get a second chance at this facility. Not saying you shouldn't do it, but just something to keep in mind.

Best of luck whatever you decide.