Accepted MedSurg...letting go OR....feeling confused

[MissRN0520]

The Nurse Manager for medsurg at a hospital where I applied for called yesterday and told me all

background checks are clear and that she is going to send something in the mail for other requirements and asked when can I start with the orientation, i was silent for a minute and she asked how about next week, so i blurtd out Yes....

The thing is i wanted this job at the OR in the other hospital where I got interviewed last week. I gave the OR nurse manager a call and ask about the status of my interview and I get a chance or not. Shetold me it will be another couple of weeks before she can make any decision since she still needs to interview other nurses. So since we were on the phone, I told her I already accepted another job and so they can consider other nurses for the position. And she thanked me for letting her know and for considering their hospital. After thanking we said bye bye.

And last night i couldnt sleep thinking about that job.

But i don't want to lose a sure employment...im emotionally confused about what i want and what i have... Do you guys think an OR nurse manager will still accept me in the future if I apply for that position again? The HR in that hospital even told me i was so lucky to be even invited for an interview...i still want that job....what do you think should i do...?

Thank you for the replies...

[llg, PhD, RN]

I think you should make the best of your med/surg position -- knowing that it does not have to be forever. Emotionally, people tend to think in terms of "forever" and "this will be my 1 opportunity," etc. That's rarely the way life is. Other opportunities will come along. Make the most of your new job, learn from it, do the best job you can and treat that employer well. See how it goes. If you are still interested in OR, you can pursue other opportunities later.

As the economy stabilizes, the nursing job market will improve. It may not be as great as it is was a couple of years ago, but it is almost certainly going to be better than it is today. An experienced med/surg nurse with a reputation for being a good employee will have several opportunites to choose from -- including OR choices. You'll be in a good position to take advantage of those future opportunities.

Think about previous generations -- people whose lives/dreams were "put on hold" for wars, economic depressions, natural disasters, etc. They did the best they could with the current situation and built upon those possibilities to make good lives for themselves. You can do the same. Be careful about throwing away a good opportunity for a "maybe" opportunity -- particularly when you know that there will be future OR opportunities in the future.

I'm not suggesting that you abandon your hopes of working in an OR -- just that you delay it a year or two.

That's the sensible respones. But some people don't need sensible. They ar risk takers and gamblers. They hurtle themselves down the luge track even though they know it is dangerous. That's OK -- and if you are a gambler at heart, go for broke. Gamble on the OR job. But just make sure you are prepared to be jobless for a while if you don't get the job. Some people do win those dangerous competitions.

[MissRN0520]

Hi llg, thank you so much for your reply...it actually made me feel better. Yea, its a good starting point to work in the MS. I want to keep my word with my employer and dont want prospective employers left hanging as well. Thank you for the reply...

[Music in My Heart]

Well, to be perfectly honest, med/surg was the last place in the hospital that I wanted to end up... and yet, it's the only offer I had and the one which I took. I definitely understand the mixed emotions. Here are some of the thoughts that I've had...

First and foremost: I feel incredibly fortunate to HAVE a job working in an acute-care setting. Many people can't find any job at all, let alone a hospital job. When I remind myself of how I'd feel if I were one of them, or if I'd had to settle for an LTC position (not a slight toward my LTC colleagues, it's just not my thing), I'm quickly back to feeling thankful.

2: I'm learning a TON as a med/surg nurse, particularly regarding time-management, prioritization, delegation, patient/family interaction, and professional collaboration with physicians and other team members (imaging, lab, discharge planning, etc). This stuff will be an asset wherever, whatever I do... even if I choose to stay put.

3: This unit is fabulous. Everybody - the nurses, the docs, the aides, everybody - has been very supportive. Morale is good and there's none of the toxic stuff that I hear about here and have seen in other jobs. I'll take what I have over my dream job on a toxic unit anyday. And the thing is, you just don't know until you're in the middle of it (though there are some indicators).

4: Med/surg provides an opportunity to really master fundamental nursing stuff. It may not be my cup of tea forever (though I could see myself staying just for the environment) but I think it's a great way to start out.

Do I still wish that one of the other opportunities had come through? Of course. But they didn't, and I was in the same position as you... I had to have a job and couldn't pass up a sure thing in favor of a "maybe."

From everything that I've read and heard, it's not a forever thing. Even one of the nurses with whom I work told me that she'd found an OR job after just a few months on the floor at her first job. It happens.

In the meantime, congratulations on getting hired! It's no small feat in the present market. Lots of folks will envy you your situation.

[MissRN0520]

Music in my heart, thank you so much too! It makes me feel really fortunate to have a hospital setting job. I'm looking forward to Monday! God bless us all!