Am I pigeonholing myself?

[TSquares]

I'm a new grad and was offered two different positions

One on an acute psych floor. This job has better pay, better benefits, weekends off and they aren't requesting that I sign a new grad commitment contract. I actually really liked and connected with the unit manager. This would also enable me to work per diem on weekends at a nearby pediatric hospital. (I eventually want to get in to peds but without a bachelor's or experience it's just too competitive to get hired on as full time right now. I won't have a bachelor's until next year. Plus I don't have to extra funds to get all the extra certs they want.)

The second job is on a step down unit. The hospital doesn't take in stemi, stroke or trauma patients. They also want a commitment of 3 years. I will of course work weekends and because of the scheduling my ability to try and get in to peds would be limited.

Is it career suicide to take the psych position? I could really use the medical benefits. This psych facility does also have an ED so I could get ED experience while I'm there.

I'm just afraid that other hiring managers won't view my psych experience with respect. I'll end up being "the least qualified" candidate.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

Career suicide? No. You will never lack for psych opportunities. However, psych experience alone would indeed make it more difficult to get into MICU.

[Xance]

If those two options are your only two options then the choice is obvious; you should pick psych. You mentioned you liked it better, to include your potential boss and the salary/benefits that go along with it and you mentioned that medical benefits are especially important. That means your choice is obvious, but don't think that it is 'career suicide' to go to psych. Saying that is demeaning to the entire psych specialty, and any experience as an RN is good experience. A third option would be to continue looking to see what else you can find but if those two are your only two options then the one with an overall better package is the obvious choice.

[JKL33]

Something to consider: Unless you have been personally told otherwise by someone significantly knowledgeable about the peds situation at the place(s) you want to work per diem, it might be unlikely that you would be hired to a position like that. Not saying it's impossible, but it just isn't common to hire new grads to per diem positions and many believe it isn't wise for the new grad, either. Per diems are expected to be independent with minimal orientation (like a matter of days including general orientation).

On 8/14/2019 at 4:37 PM, TSquares said:

They also want a commitment of 3 years.

Unreasonable given the overall circumstances and situation in acute care. Plus you aren't expected to negotiate anything, you're just expected to make a commitment without the benefit of knowing exactly what you're getting into.

The psych offer sounds like the far better of the two based on the info you have so far, but you also have the option of just continuing to apply/interview.

Good luck ~