Advice Needed

[NurseAdjoa]

I graduated from nursing school almost a year ago with BSN. Its been a tough year finding a job in NJ. No-one is willing to hire new grads. I have numerous amount of applications out there. Fortunately for me, the last 2weeks have been wonderful because i got couple of job offers. So this is where the problem start;

1. The first offer is at a reputable hospital in Northern NJ. They are offering $33/hr part-time on a med-surg unit. 8weeks training.(12hrs shifts)

2. The second one is at Dialysis center . They are offering $33/hr full-time 12hrs shift. (10weeks training).

Unfortunately, i cannot take both offers because their training time clashes. i have to drop one.

If you were in my position, which of the offers will you take and why? Please help.

Thank you.

[rnjetta12]

Hi... personally I would take yhe full time position because I cannot afford to live on a part time salary... how far are you from NY or PA?? You can get licensed in a near by state and commute to a job.

[scoope23]

First off, congrats on receiving both offers. If it was me, I would lean more towards the med surg position because it will provide you with a solid foundation of basic nursing skills. After having med surg training, it'll ease the transition to other nursing specialities.

[NurseAdjoa]

Thanks. I have both NY and NJ license. I live 30mins from NY...2hrs from PA.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Dialysis would limit your nursing experience. You will be a pawn for the corporate dialysis masters and your 12 hours will turn into 17.

Hospital nursing sucks as well.. but it is a much better option for now.

[NurseAdjoa]

Thanks scoope23. I know what you are saying about the medsurg experience but then how am i suppose to pay my bills with part-time job? its hard for me because i want the experience. i just wish it was a full-time position.

[RainMom]

Thanks scoope23. I know what you are saying about the medsurg experience but then how am i suppose to pay my bills with part-time job? its hard for me because i want the experience. i just wish it was a full-time position.

If it's like many facilities, once you are off orientation, you'll be able to pick up extra shifts when staffing is short; and if you let it be known to your coworkers that you would like more hrs, there's almost always someone that has a shift they need off.

Did you ask about the possibility of eventually moving into a FT spot?

If you can stick it out 6-12 months, you'll probably be eligible to transfer to another area within the hospital if your hrs haven't increased & then maybe keep prn status in med-surg for extra hrs.

[rnjetta12]

Can you ask to start the hospital orientation at a later date?

[scoope23]

Thanks scoope23. I know what you are saying about the medsurg experience but then how am i suppose to pay my bills with part-time job? its hard for me because i want the experience. i just wish it was a full-time position.

Valid concerns and I completely understand that. I personally think medsurg experience is invaluable. When I worked med surg, there were plenty of opportunities to pick up extra shifts. Also, med surg tends to have a high turnover rate so that can open doors for you to transition into a full time position.

[adamRn79, BSN, RN]

The hospital experience is important for a new grad. Dialysis nursing doesn't translate well. $33 for a new grad?? I make that for working night shift weekends in PIttsburgh

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

The med-surg experience will serve you better in the long run. Can you afford to work part-time?

[INN_777, BSN, RN]

Med surg. You'll get better training and experience in a hospital setting. Usually there is so much turnover that you'll hopefully be able to switch to a full time position soon. If not, you can pick another shift once you go through your orientation, get acclimated.