I need some advice from experienced nurses! As a new grad I took a position on a medical floor, and I HATE it! I feel like I was sort of thrown in and still constantly feel like I know nothing. I know my floor is not a great place for a new grad, they dont ever hire new grads and I just got the standard 6 week orientation which experienced nurses get. I feel like I am drowning with 7 patients, and I often feel like I am annoying my collegues with all of my questions. I am not happy, and feel like this is not the place for me. I have been there 6 months.
I have been applying and interviewing elsewhere. Here is my big decision. I have been offered a position in a small clinic, great hours, small friendly staff and mediocre pay. I accepted the position, but dont start training until next month. ( I am replacing someone who is moving out of state)
Today I got a call for a new grad critical care residency I applied for months ago. I am really feeling like this is an opportunity I cannot pass up. Should I go interview and see how it goes? They prob won't choose me anyway. But I feel like I may regret it if I pass it up. Its just that nagging feeling that I could be shooting myself in the foot and never be able to get back into a hospital setting. And I feel like with a special new grad program, they training will be far superior to what I got and that could make all the difference.
I am just a little wary of another hospital after my current experience. If I hate med surg, will critical care be too much or is it so different it could be a better fit? I think the quality of the training will be a factor too. I hate to waste the interviewers time, and lets be honest, if they offer me the job it will be really difficult to un accept the position I just accepted.
Should I go interview and see where it goes? Or just tell them no thanks I have accepted another position?
I was curious as to what state you are in? I would def go to the the interview for the new grad residency program...just being asked to interview is awesome...trust me I am a new grad and is having the absolute nightmare of a time trying to find any work here in California
What she said!
I've applied to dozens of new grad programs, and they all had several hundred applicants for a dozen positions or less. The fact that they selected you for an interview is a huge deal. Review your critical care textbook, your notes, PowerPoints, etc, and give it 150%. Good luck!:heartbeat
I say go for it! I am 2 1/2 years into my career and I've been on a surgical floor since finishing orientation in a New Grad program. I have to disagree with the person who said you can't know already if you don't like med/surg. My orientation program required that we spend 4 wks on each ward (2 medical, 1 surgical). I knew immediately that I didn't like the medical wards and that I loved surgery. I'm getting ready to specialize even further by moving to a Cardio/Thoracic surgery step-down unit.
I also disagree that leaving your current position now is a bad idea. Nursing is a wonderful career because of all the varied opportunities out there and if one is not a good fit, find the one that is and do it before you become burned out and bitter. Anyway, by entering a new grad residency program, you will have TONS of orientation/training. Because of your experience, you even have a slight leg up on your fellow new grads who are entering the residency straight out of school.
I called she wants me to come in this afternoon!!!!!!!! I feel wildly unprepared. Anything I should know or may be quizzed on? I feel very comfortable with interviews, but not with critical care. I am reading up on the hospital now.
Thanks for all the advice. All i can do is give it a shot, if not I have another job.
Ruby- I agree with you, but in my situation I feel like it is unsafe. I value my license and my sanity. For this reason I know I need to stay at my second job. Luckily this is a second career for me and my previous employment was 10 years at one company, so I am not a job hopper.
Ok went to the interview, it was tough! They gave a lot of scenarios and asked a lot of content type questions. I did my best, we will see what happens!
Ruby- I agree, but I need a job that has a more supportive enviroment to learn in, I dont want to spend a year learning bad habits. Whatever next job I choose, Im staying put.
lena& mistersimba I am in the South East. Patient ratios here are not as nicde as Cali. New grad jobs seem to be opening up a bit. Hang in there, you'll get your chance! Just keep applying! I have applied to millions of places, some took months to call back.
You have nothing to lose going for the interview, it will be very good exposure for you and good training if you ever need to sit another one in the future.
You need to keep ALL your options open. And I too LOATHE, LOATHE, LOATHE medical wards. I worked one on Monday just gone (I'd actually requested not to go back there, but the girls were so frantic I stayed - I could have requested another ward to go to). I didn't even get to sign some of my meds (someone checked them all later and picked it up), cos I kept getting interrupted by demented patients climbing/falling out of beds, someone yelling in Italian (how on earth I was supposed to understand him,I have no idea - VERY annoying) and buzzers going off like that night was the end of the world. Haaaate it so much! So my advice is to get out of medical ASAP.
And I used to work in nursing HR, don't feel guilty at all re turning down other offers, employers are used to it. It's their problem if you leave anyway, not yours and if ur a fairly new grad employers are used to you lot moving around anyway.
I would do a bit of research re this new place ur interviewing for, buy a nice outfit if possible, and sit down and write out some interview questions. Practice with another person if possible and record the interview, so you can critique your body language. Also brush up on your CPR, emergency scenarios which they will give you, occ health & safety, discrimination legislation, fire scenarios, etc.
I went to the interview, it was tough but went ok. They are not planning to make a decision for another "month or so" which puts it AFTER I am supposed to start the new job I accepted. I know a critical care residency would be an opportunity not to pass up, but well I dont want to stuff job number 1! I feel like the odds of getting the residency are not good, so I cant wait on that. Any thoughts?
I have a question as well, close to your situation. I'm in the 2nd stage for a RN Residency at a hospital and find out on Feb 3rd if I've made it to the 3rd round. I also applied to a CC/CV/AV position but haven't heard anything. They said they will be looking at applications in MID March time frame. I just received a call from Grady to have an interview on a medsurg/trauma floor. So what happens if I do good on this interview and get the job, meanwhile I still have these other jobs that are only a "possiblity" I'm ready to work and I'm not sure if I want to wait any longer. PLus my intentions is to start NP school next yr while I'm working so being a floor nurse is not in my nursing plans forever.
MisterSimba, BSN
296 Posts
What she said!
I've applied to dozens of new grad programs, and they all had several hundred applicants for a dozen positions or less. The fact that they selected you for an interview is a huge deal. Review your critical care textbook, your notes, PowerPoints, etc, and give it 150%. Good luck!:heartbeat