What would you do??

[EMEddie]

It seems like I am asking questions almost everyday, but honestly no one gave give better advice and look at perspective on this issue than you guys and I thank you all for that.

I am a new grad, finished December and have been blessed enough to have interview for two jobs and offered both positions; they are at the same hospital. Here is the dilemma:

Position 1] Its a med/surg Oncolog floor where the RN to Patient ratio is 1:5. In this floor I did my preceptorship in my last semester and honestly enjoyed it very much. I met the Manager of this unit while doing my precetorship and mentioned my interest in working in that unit once I was done and passed my boards. I gave two updates to the manager after preceptorship via email on how I had graduated and also passed my boards. I went to see him after this and again mentioned my interest; which as I said is a true and honest answer. I applied for the position and consequently was invited for an interview last week; the interview went well as I mentioned why I would like to work in this floor. Manager a very nice genuine person.

Position 2] Its a Step-Down ICU where the RN to Patient ratio is 1:3. As all new grads, I applied to several positions in the hospitals, this one being one of them since I like critical care [iCU/ER]. I was blessed enough to as well have a job interview for this position a day after the oncology one. The manager and assistant manager interviewed me and it was a great interview; amazing manager/assist. manager really made me feel at home as well. Yesterday AM I got a call from this manager offering me the position and as a new grad with no other job offers I took it and was super happy!! Working here, I will be taking the same classes ICU RNs take which include, [ACLS, TNCC, Ventilatory Support, etc] which is honestly fascinating as this will only make me a better more prepared RN.

THE ISSUE: Yesterday PM the manager from the oncology floor called me to offered me the position and how he had really enjoyed the interview and looked forward to having me as part of his team. I told him how I had accepted the offer from Stepdown ICU because I did not know if he was going to offer me this job. He understood and we left it at that; he said that he was glad he would see me around the hospital.

Today: He called me again this afternoon telling me how he had called HR and complained how at least HR would have given me time for him to tell me about the offer and for me to actually have a choice and think about what I wanted. He also mentioned how he didnt consider me a person that would simply sweet talk to get a job offer and that he truly believed I had a passion for oncology. He told me that HR would call me tomorrow and tell me that I had a choice between the two, rather than just go with my first offer [step Down ICU]. He again, mentioned how he wants to have me in his floor.

ME: I am feeling very confused. I honestly feel that the Step Down ICU floor is more promision as I will be taking the above courses, plus the nurse to patient ration is 1:3. The thing that makes me feel upset and bad is that I dont want the oncology manager to feel as if I only used him and tried to be nice and attentiive just to get a job in his floor, because in reality that was not the case; I like oncology, but I like the idea of how StepDown ICU works and the advancement of knowledge. My precetor whom works in the oncology floor is moving out of the city in about 3 months and told me that if she was me, she would go with the stepdown icu as she feels the oncology floor is not too ideal for a new grad, as the veteran staff are not too compliant.. She also said that if she was to stay in this city, she would move out of the floor and go to stepdown icu or a different floor. Now, I dont see why she would lie to me, especially that she will be leaving. As mentioned, I am 60/40 on Stepdown ICU because of what I mentioned, but the thought of the oncology manager thinking I am disloyal and just a talker to obtain a position makes me feel bery bad.. I also think it would not be very professional to tell the stepdown manager that I am going to a different floor knowing she was the first to offer the job.

What would you do?? How would I tell the oncology floor manager my reasons for chosing stepdown?

Thanks in advance for your time and advice..

[sandyfeet]

Maybe it's just me, but the oncology manager seems manipulative. Complaining to HR and forcing you to consider a new job offer instead? Is the other floor aware he's trying to steal you away? I feel like you've already answered his question: you are a new grad and had no other job offers so you accepted an offer. You don't need to explain any further than that in today's job market!

[iloveRed03]

Whatever your decision may be as long as your happy and contented then go!. you may inform the person or the manager in concern that u regret the inconvience it will cause, but circumstances have left you no choice and with all that, it has been a hard decision for you. hope you undrstand my point . Goodluck! ?

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Personally, I dont think you owe him anything. You made no commitment to the onc floor. You were honest and outright when he called for a follow up. Simply thank them for the interview and move on.

[CodeteamB]

This is your career! Go with the position that you feel will offer more to you an help you to grow and learn. If the positions were reversed and this manager had to withdraw his offer for some reason do you think he would not do so because the two of you get on? The only person in this situation who is taking care if you is you. Agree with above poster that the manager sounds manipulative, his call to you doesn't strike me as professional.

[uRNmyway, ASN, RN]

Well just reflect on this. What do YOU want to do? What do you see yourself doing, day in, day out, until you retire? Do you see a future for yourself in oncology, or do you really think you want to do ICU? Of course the opportunities for training with ACLS and all are great, but I am sure the oncology floor will also have specialized training that would benefit you, if that is what YOU want to do.

Don't get me wrong, I commend you on looking to the future and what would look better on a resume. But if you forget about future jobs, and focus on these ones, I think it will be easier on you. We're not talking about just taking a job because you are desperate, even if it's not one you really want. This isn't about making the best out of a bad situation and trying to bolster your resume at the same time. You sound like you could genuinely enjoy working in either department.

If I play devil's advocate a little bit, since others seem to lean towards the ICU position, you have already worked on the oncology floor and know you liked it. If you haven't worked in ICU, in this specific department, you don't know if you will like it. What if you take it, find out you don't like this critical care setting, and have alienated the oncology manager by refusing the offered position?

Also, although I have never worked stepdown/ICU, don't let the 1:3 ratio affect your decision that much. You are talking about very different acuity, very different levels of care, needs, monitoring, interventions, etc.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

moved to nursing first job assistance forum to elicit further response.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[EMEddie]

Well just reflect on this. What do YOU want to do? What do you see yourself doing, day in, day out, until you retire? Do you see a future for yourself in oncology, or do you really think you want to do ICU? Of course the opportunities for training with ACLS and all are great, but I am sure the oncology floor will also have specialized training that would benefit you, if that is what YOU want to do.

Don't get me wrong, I commend you on looking to the future and what would look better on a resume. But if you forget about future jobs, and focus on these ones, I think it will be easier on you. We're not talking about just taking a job because you are desperate, even if it's not one you really want. This isn't about making the best out of a bad situation and trying to bolster your resume at the same time. You sound like you could genuinely enjoy working in either department.

If I play devil's advocate a little bit, since others seem to lean towards the ICU position, you have already worked on the oncology floor and know you liked it. If you haven't worked in ICU, in this specific department, you don't know if you will like it. What if you take it, find out you don't like this critical care setting, and have alienated the oncology manager by refusing the offered position?

Also, although I have never worked stepdown/ICU, don't let the 1:3 ratio affect your decision that much. You are talking about very different acuity, very different levels of care, needs, monitoring, interventions, etc.

Thanks everyone for the advice, it has really helped tremendously.

Jeweles26 I sent you an inbox message, but says its full and cant be sent =D

[dah doh, BSN, RN]

The question should be: where do you want to work? What type of patient population interests you more? What would you decide if both jobs were offered at the same time? What are your long term goals and how would each job help you accomplish those goals? Answer those questions and you should have your answer! Everyone will have a different opinion, but this is about you! By the way, congrats on the job offers! One last thing, don't look at the patient ratios as a deciding factor because there is a reason why those nurses get less patients. Whatever you decide, decline the other offer graciously because you don't want to burn any bridges or get "blackballed" this early in your career! Good Luck!

[EMEddie]

Thanks everyone!