BIG DILEMNA between hospital position FAR away or case management!!

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Specializes in PCU, Tele, ICU.

Hello Everyone,

After graduating in May 08 and passing the NCLEX in August, I had no luck finding a hospital job in NJ or NYC, so I expanded my search to upstate NY and got a job offer in a PCU unit starting in March 2009. Fast forward to today, I get a call from a job for a case manager position that I interviewed with back in December which now has an opening and the recruiter told me that the position is basically mine, if I want it. (I wasn't hired the first time around because it came down to me and the other candidate and she is an experienced nurse!!!).

My problem is the case manager position is in Manhattan (i.e closer to me, 30 minutes drive) and pays more in the low 70's but the hospital position in upstate NY is 2 hours away and pays in the low 40's. If I take the case manager position, will it be impossible for me to get into the hospital setting, if I choose to in the future? Will my career options be limited? Or should I just bite the bullet and take the hospital position for the experience?Any nurse who has been through this? PLEASE HELP!!!! Any feedback will be appreciated!!! Thanks.

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Though not entirely in your position, I too am one of the jobless may 08 grads, theres alot of things to consider here. First, youve been waiting this long for a job in a hospital, to get hands on exp to make your education come to life, a case manager job eliminates that. Secondly, i find it odd they would even offer a position like that to a new grad, and has this nurse they previously hired already quit? The pay cut upstate is steep, how far upstate?, plus you have to consider travel time and gas money. If it were me, depending on how far youd have to travel, time traveling, i'd highly consider the hospital job.

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Specializes in psych, medical, drug rehab.

Personally in your position I would bite the bullet and take the hospital job at a lower pay rate.

You will be in way over your head in a case management position in NYC as a new grad. Even those with experience would find this position challenging.

Good Luck, Hon!

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Specializes in PCU, Tele, ICU.

The recruiter told me that the nurse they hired previously wants to transfer to another site. The hospital is Benedictine Hospital in Kingston, NY. I have family living within 40 minutes in Pleasant Valley (maybe I'll move there for a year, get the experience and then try to get into an ICU position closer to home ). I think you're right!!! Thanks for the advice!!! Hang in there!! I know what it feels like...

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If you have family that wouldnt mind you staying with them eliminates the entire problem! Take the job !!! Whichever way you decide, good luck !

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If the case managemnet position has a good training program I would take that instead. Since the pay is more & for all the work that you are going to be responsible for as a nurse the 40 range is low. Plus you wouldn't have to relocate.

In the meantime I would still continue to search for a in the hospital setting maybe in even part time to continue to gain experience..

A nurse is a nurse you never know you may love case management.

Either way good luck with whatever you choose. :coollook: Congrats on finding employment.

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hi I was just wondering did you take the job at benedictine hospital and if you did how is it going because i have a start date for june in med surg

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Specializes in PCU, Tele, ICU.
hi I was just wondering did you take the job at benedictine hospital and if you did how is it going because i have a start date for june in med surg

I ended up working at Benedictine Hospital in PCU, I love it!! I'm learning so much!! It is such a busy floor!! How do you like your floor?

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