Almost new grad - needs advice about finding a job!!

[casperx875x]

Good morning everyone,

I will be graduating with a BSN this May. I have been actively looking for a job and have several interviews coming up over the next few weeks. I currently live at home with my parents, but things may be going sour with my dad's current job. Therefore, I have been looking at hospitals in other states, near where they may be relocating. Truth be told, I don't want to be far from them when I first start out on my own with my first real full-time job!

I currently work on a great floor with an AMAZING staff. In all seriousness, our floor is the model of teamwork, and that is so important to me. I've seen how important it is to work together on so many different occasions.

Our unit is slowly doubling in size - it is about 3/4s of the way there. Over half of the nurses on our floor are nurses with 2 or less years of experience, but they are all extremely competent nurses. My Nurse Manager has told me for well over a year now that if I want a job when I graduate, it's mine to have. I, of course, have always greatly appreciated the offer and am considering it in my job search. The only problem is that every time I see her now, she asks me if I've decided what I'm doing when I graduate. Each time I tell her the same thing.. that I am including it in my search, that my parents may be relocating to another state and that I am seeing what else is out there in case I don't think I'm ready to be on own yet - away from my parents.

I've told both her and our Assistant Nurse Manager that I don't want to committ and then have to back out for whatever reason. I am being extremely honest about my job search and have told them I will let them know ASAP. I have told her all along that I would want to work full time nights as I have been working nights as a tech. When I last spoke to her, she let out a big sigh and told me she just hired a whole bunch of full-time nights. This threw me off because I've been telling her for almost 3 months now that I would want full-time nights. I asked her if that meant it wouldn't be possible and she looked unsure but then told me she would "hold a spot" for me - the same that she told me the last time we talked.

I feel such a sense of urgency to hurry up and tell her I will accept the job offer. I fully understand that she needs to determine how her staffing looks and her additional hiring needs, and so I am being extremely honest with her about my progress with my job search. This floor is extremely intense and is basically patients who meet ICU criteria. The patients are not always the most pleasant, and there are times when I really, really dislike my job and feel extremely abused and underappreciated. What I do know is that I would learn a lot and see a lot.

I ended our conversation the same as I have been for the past 3 months - that I would let her know as soon as I have decided what I will be doing. My interviews go through the first week of April and then I will have to decide. Does anyone have any advice on how to handle this situation? I am feeling so stressed out as it is with school, work, clinicals, NCLEX and deciding on where I will be working.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

It seems you're already handling it the way that you deem best for you -- you're not making a decision to accept this position until after your other interviews.

Just make sure you realize that your current manager cannot delay whatever timeframe is necessary for her to complete the hiring process. New grad orientations are often only once or twice per year -- it requires the coordination of more than just this particular unit.

I have no doubt that you'll find a job, but as it is now mid-March, the clock is ticking at those facilities which have structured (usually better) new grad orientation programs for spring graduates.

[TazziRN, RN]

"I'm sorry, I haven't made a decision yet but I will understand if you can no longer hold a spot for me."

If she's truly holding a position for you I can understand her anxiety, but I can also see your side. If, however, you have no intention of staying in the area because you want to move with your parents, you should tell her that now.

[futurecnm]

I think I'd make your decision sooner rather than later. It's probably going to be getting too late to apply where your parents are moving for new grad programs, therefore you will probably have to take a job where you are and then quit at a later date if you choose to move with them. THe timing will never work out perfectly and you can't keep waiting to see what comes along. I think you need to be choosy to an extent but for your current employer it only is appropriate to give them a definate answer as soon as you can. She can't keep a job open for you much longer I'm assuming since she keeps asking. She is probably getting pressure to fill the new grad spots and the longer she waits for you the less choosy she can be about the applications she is getting (as people get jobs). Sounds like you really like teh people on your floor and just knowing a floor can help you transition to a RN job.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

just remember she may have a time-table as well, and have to fill the position with another prospect if you do not reply. Have you considered getting your own place and staying where you are?