Advice Needed

[RNdreams7, RN]

I'll try to keep this short. I applied to a specialty acute care unit and got an interview that went pretty well but could have gone better. I was 1 day post food poisoning so I wasn't as sharp as I normally would be but I didn't want to miss out on the opportunity to interview. It's been 3 weeks and I'm still waiting to hear back. There were multiple spots for the same position but I know at least one of them has already been taken.

Last week I was interviewed for a doctors office and it looks like they may offer me a position.

The problem? I really want to work in the hospital for the acuity and learning opportunities. Plus the specialty unit I interviewed for is where my heart is. The doctors office is a job but I'm not sure it's the right job for me. It's much less pay in an area that I'm not as interested in and if I take it a hospital may not want me later. This is my first RN position and I don't want to make the wrong decision.

Seasoned Nurses, What do I do?

[bcandygurl]

I would wait until you are actually offered a position. Then you can go ahead and touch bases with the hospital and let them know basically that you have received an offer and would like to know if you are still being considered as a candidate as it is your first choice.

[RNdreams7, RN]

I didn't get the hospital position. Now my only option is the doctors office. Will a hospital even want me after working at an office?

[bcandygurl]

I'm kind of in the same position as you ..I interviewed for my dream job about a week ago and still waiting for an answer..and received an offer on a Skilled Nursing Facility on this past Friday. I told them I would get back with them at the end of the week. I also got an interview scheduled for the 11th on a Med-Surg unit. I'm really torn on what to do as I have been looking for a job almost a year, and the SNF is like my last choice.

[RNdreams7, RN]

Well, I accepted to office position. Even though the area is not my top choice I think it's still a great chance to learn and gain some experience. Especially for new grads I think a future hospital would rather see you worked as a RN in some area since graduation than to see that you haven't done anything. Plus you never know what you are going to end up liking. Life is full of surprises!