Advice about job offer appreciated!

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Specializes in Physician's Office.

Hi everyone!! I have been lurking around allnurses for years; first as a student, then as a new grad RN. I haven't posted much, because I haven't had a lot of experience to contribute. I have a situation I could use some advice on.

Small background: Right after becoming licensed, I moved to FL. I eventually found employment as an RN in a physician's office (Internal Medicine). My husband is in the Navy, so after only working at the physician's office 7 months, we moved to Washington a moth ago. So I started the Job Search again.

Last week I had an interview at an ophthalmologic ambulatory surgery center. I am really excited about this job, and I would really like to work there. I feel that I would be able to use more of my skills (assessments, IV starts, post-op observation, etc.). They said i should hear back from them in about 1 week.

Today I had another interview at a physician's office, doing, for the most part, what I was doing in the previous office. I was offered the job on the spot, but asked to have until Friday afternoon to give them an answer.

My question is: what if i have not heard from the other job by Friday? I don't want to string the physician's office along, but I would only accept the job if I were not offered the ASC job. Also, by accepting another physician's office job to continue to gain experience, will I be pigeon-holing myself career-wise? I don't have anything against physician's offices, I'm just concerned that by not using more of my nursing skills, I will lose them, and won't be a strong candidate for other, acute care jobs in the future

Thank you all for your input and advice!

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I would call your 1st choice place and tell them the truth. Tell them that they are definitely your first choice, but that you have had another offer and don't want to string them along. Ask when they will be making a decision. You might get lucky and get a definte answer from them one way or another before Friday afternoon.

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Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.
Last week I had an interview at an ophthalmologic ambulatory surgery center. I am really excited about this job, and I would really like to work there. I feel that I would be able to use more of my skills (assessments, IV starts, post-op observation, etc.). They said i should hear back from them in about 1 week.

Today I had another interview at a physician's office, doing, for the most part, what I was doing in the previous office. I was offered the job on the spot, but asked to have until Friday afternoon to give them an answer.

My question is: what if i have not heard from the other job by Friday? !

My more detailed answer got gobbled...

You want to stall & bit while gently pushing #1 to make a decision soon. Call Office 1, today if possible. Ask them where they are at in the decision. Explain you don't mean to pressure them, but while you are really excited about the job, you do have another offer & they are facing a deadline.

They may have made a decision already, or they may be holding off till after the holiday. At least, you can get an idea where you stand. This is a holiday weekend; don't wait for them to call you Friday afternoon. If need be, call #2 on Friday and ask for an extension. If you get a voicemail, just ask leave a message & state you wanted to discuss the offer & please call back. Nothing else. They may be really busy before the holiday too & not call you back till Tuesday (not a bad thing).

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Specializes in Physician's Office.

Thank you for your responses!! i feel better equipped to handle this situation now :)

Do you think I will be pigeon-holing myself in my career by accepting another office job, or will it be viewed as more experience when I do apply for acute care jobs in the future? So far, I haven't been offered any interviews at any of the acute care jobs i have applied for. Would i be better off trying to find employment in a LTCF or SNF? I do eventually want to end up in the hospital, and i don't want to shoot myself in the foot early on.

Thanks again for all your advice and help!! :)

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Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

You want to stall & bit while gently pushing #1 to make a decision soon. Call Office 1, today if possible. Ask them where they are at in the decision. Explain you don't mean to pressure them, but while you are really excited about the job, you do have another offer & you are facing a deadline.

Oops. You certainly don't want to be making demands by setting deadlines for them

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Specializes in Physician's Office.

That's what I figured was meant :D

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