advice between 2 job offers

[blangsto]

This may be in the wrong section, just looking for some advice from nurses with experience.

I'm a new grad and I'm fortunate enough to have two job offers to decide between. One is in the state where I grew up in Michigan, at a level 2 trauma ED, the other is at a smaller hospital in Tampa Bay, in a nurse residency program for their ED. Their pay is similar both places and they're both teaching hospitals. I feel drawn to the hospital in Michigan, but I have also been planning on moving to Florida all throughout nursing school and I think the idea of a residency program can help me grow as a new nurse.

Just looking for advice from people who moved out of their home state to try something different, in particular tampa bay/st pete area in florida, or from people who choose to stay somewhere they didn't love to work at a hospital they did love. Thanks!

[Libby1987]

Without knowing anything more and taking it at face value, I'd go with the residency program.

[sparklie.lady]

Well, I don't know where you're from, but all I can say is that my only regret in life (so far, I'm only 40) is that I've never lived farther than 45 minutes from where I was born. If you can, take the opportunity and stretch your wings!

[Coffee Nurse, BSN, RN]

Residency program is a very good idea. Also, what's made you want to move to FL all through school and now rethink it?

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

I heard Florida's nurse patient ratios aren't great. Look into it.

[blangsto]

i was told the nurse patient ratio will be 4 to 1 in florida. i think i'm just second guessing myself now that i have options. i want to pick the one that prepares me to be the best nurse possible. since the michigan hospital is a level 2 trauma and the hospital in florida is smaller (around 120 beds total) part of me thinks i can learn a lot more in michigan

[Libby1987]

You can also be reporting back in overwhelmed defeat due to too high of expectations of a new grad.

One of the things we've often lamented here is the lack of opportunity for new grads whereas those of us who graduated in a true shortage had the benefit of internship/residency programs that were more acheiveable and better set us up for success than the too short general orientations.