HELP! i need advice! New Grad with two job offers...

[mommalove]

Hi everyone!

I currently have two very different job offers, and I need advice on which one to take.

First job- Medical ICU (night shift) in a big hospital. I would learn a TON and I get to experience an extensive orientation as part of their new grad critical care program. Two to three patients to nurse ratio depending on acuity.

Second job- Step down unit/med surg (day shift) in a small community hospital. I would also learn a ton here as well. Plus, their hospitalists (both MD and NP) are willing to be my preceptors towards an adult health NP degree in the near future. could have up to five or six patients per nurse (team nursing- paired with a LPN and nursing assistant).

I have a two year old, and I love spending time with her, so I am very tempted to take the day shift position at the smaller hospital. Both hospitals are about a 45 minute drive from me, and pay the same. I really would love to start NP school within the next year because my goals is to have my NP degree before my two year old starts elementary school.

The community hospital has that small town atmosphere that I do like, but the big hospital has the professional teaching atomosphere that would be good for me to learn from.

I would feel bad turning down the ICU position because I know that my professors, friends, and family were excited when I was offered this job. I know that it is so hard for a new grad to get a job in the ICU, so I feel as if I should not give it up.

Any advice??! I need help making this decision by Monday. Thanks!!!!!

[Guttercat, ASN, RN]

Yes, ICU experience looks (and is) great for an NP program candidate.

However, having two practitioners willing to personally mentor you toward your end goal, and on day shift no less...priceless.

ICU's will always be there, but having the right people in place at the right time to help get you where you want to be, won't.

Step-down will get you plenty of excellent experience as a launching point.

[mommalove]

Thank you for the advice! I think that if I wanted to continue my career as an ICU nurse, then the ICU would obviously be a better choice. But because my end-goal is different and I want to be a NP, I am leaning towards the day shift step-down job. Thank you!

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I agree: it's not often you will get people willing to shepherd you in your desired career. Plus the fact that it's day shift means you will have more time with your family. This is the one that I would pick, especially if NP school is in the fairly near future.

The ICU is always going to be there. In fact, spending a year or two gaining nursing experience before trying ICU may be better than starting as a new grad. I've never been in ICU but from what I understand it is a steep learning curve. And while some new grads flourish in ICU, just as many burn out and fail. So if you picked ICU it wouldn't be impossible, but you will have to really work hard.

Best of luck whatever you decide!

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

take the day job with the mentors (a priceless commodity) attached. you can do icu as an optional rotation in np school; by then you'll have learned enough that it will be easier to learn more, if that makes any sense.

[mommalove]

Thank you all so much for the advice. I finally accepted the day shift position on the step down unit. I know I made a good choice. I sign the papers on Monday.

When I went to call the other hospital who offered me the ICU position, HR was really upset. They said that I had already accepted their offer, which does not make sense because I had not signed anything. When they called me to offer me the job, she asked if I was still interested in the position and that if i was, then she would send me the official offer letter in the mail and that I had until the 13th of February to return it. I had not returned the letter nor told her over the phone that I was accepting the position. She then told me that the ICU manager would be mad at me because I had basically already accepted this position.

I am SO confused and a little upset.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

not your problem. somebody there screwed up, the hr person likely, you have the job you want, and life goes on. someone else will get a call saying that the position in the icu s/he wanted is now available and s/he'll be happy.