Accept a job or wait?

You don't have a job offer at hospital #2? Take the job offer before it is gone.

I almost accepted a position from a second rate place I wasn't familiar with right out of school. I held out and accepted a position at a much better place with much better pay and I love where I work.

I'd work per diem and wait for a position at the hospital you really want. :)

I say all of that depends on your financial position and the market for jobs in your area. I've been in a similar situation, but had the luxury to wait it out for the "I really want to work there" offer because I am not the primary breadwinner in my household, and the job market is booming here and I knew I could walk into xyz hospital and get a job that same day if I really wanted one.

If you're not financially stable, if the job market isn't secure for your specialty or for new grads, then I say take the viable offer and go. If you can afford (literally) to wait, then wait. Only you know the details of your financial situation.

I am a new graduate by the way.

I took the first job was offered to me, I'm stuck in a specialty that I hate.

But it's hard to advise some to pass up a job.

This is a whole lot of it depends type of answer. How is the job market? If it's wide open for new grads you might want to hold out until a position opens at the hospital you prefer but if the job market is tighter, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

Second factor is your personal finances. Basically, can you afford to wait and see if something better comes along? What if you wait and the better job doesn't materialize soon. Will you need to worry about paying rent, buying food, you know...all those little things that are required to make any kind of decent living?