Can a new grad have spidey senses??

allnurses Guide · Apr 12, 2018

Jobs are something I have learned to ALWAYS trust my gut about. Go for the position closer to home. And congratulations!

audreysmagic, RN · Apr 12, 2018

I can't imagine commuting 3 hours for a nursing job. Go with your gut.

I did, for a couple years, out of necessity. Not something I recommend. To OP, follow your gut on this one. I'm not a devotee of the "you must do med-surg first" club, but you will get incredibly valuable experience and look much more attractive down the line to critical care positions. And it's closer, without weird vibes from the interview.

OldDude · Apr 12, 2018

I have a friend who retired from the US Secret Service, Presidential Protection Detail. He has often told me, "never ignore your gut feeling."

RNNPICU, BSN, RN · Apr 12, 2018

I would go with the Med-Surg job. Anytime you get a weird vibe from an interview is just the tip of a weird iceberg. It would not get better, just bigger and possibl worse things lie underneath that surface. Most ICU interview do not go that way, and that is a BIG FLAG. I have had interviews for positions and not offered the job, months later, I was thankful when I saw what would have happened. I realize that you want ICU, and is possible for a new grad, but that question and reach for the stars comment in an interview make me cringe in a bad way. Plus to top it off, that commute is significant.

Although Med-Surg may not be were you want to start, you can learn a lot and in addition, you don't know where it will take you. You may have doors open and great opportunities at the Med-Surg that can be beneficial to your future.

JKL33 · Apr 12, 2018

A disorganized manager offered you a job with practically no interview. Sounds great.
Wake up at 0415. Leave by 0500- that 0700 shift starts at 0645. With a 1.5 hour drive, you need more leeway. There are 3 times more chance of something screwing up than a 1/2 hr drive. Back in your car at 1930- the shift ended at 1915. Driving in the driveway at 2100.
You have 7 hours, 45 minutes to eat sleep, shower, poop, prep food, exercise, socialize, and take care of anything unexpected.
I wouldn't bother with spidey sense- just go for common sense.

There you have it. ^

A not-yet mentioned problem with the first interview is that if it went by as quickly as your post implies, you had no real opportunity to get a better feel for things - specifically, information about their usual orientation procedures - - which I very strongly urge you to consider with any position, including the med-surg one.

Plus, I just like to hear people talk a little longer than that because I get most all the information I need through the particulars of observation.

Whatever your decision, don't fail to reasonably investigate matters that are important to you.

Good luck ~

allnurses Guide · Apr 12, 2018

Job interviews are a lot like first dates. Everyone puts their very best foot forward...and you can believe that it is their very best foot. Meaning, if this is as good as it gets....what then?

vampiregirl, BSN, RN · Apr 12, 2018

I am well aware that there are two distinctly different schools of thought about med-surg for new nurses who are interested in a specialty some day.

I got my start in a long term care facility and that turned out to be a fantastic foundation. I learned so much there - skill wise, exposure to various disease processes and time management. I truly believe my success at my current position at an in-patient hospice unit can be attributed to what I learned in LTC. From what I understand, med-surg also offers some of the same benefits. Med-surg is now considered a speciality with a certification available. If you choose med surg and take advantage of all the things it can offer, this could set you up for success in a different area later (or maybe you'll find a love for med surg).

As for the drive, I have a 50 minute commute. It's an "easy" drive but I couldn't image a 1.5 hour commute.

Good luck in what ever you choose!

KellyMPH · Apr 12, 2018

I got started in a step down unit right after graduation, so I think starting right away in CC is not the problem. I would not take that job primarily for the commute! How awful will 3 hrs of commuting be on top of a long shift. My shift ends at 1930 but sometimes (most nights during my first 6 months on the job) I didn't get out of there until 2030 or even 2100 if it was a terrible shift and I didn't get to chart as much during the day. Now as my time management has improved, I'm getting out consistently at 1930 or 1945 but I'm so dog tired I couldn't imagine having to drive 1.5 hours home after that and then if I have a shift the next day- no way! I would also listen to your gut feeling during the interview. I didn't listen to my gut feeling during an interview with a manager and it turned out to be the worst job I've ever had and he was the worst manager I've ever had! Never again to I ignore my gut. 1 year in med-surg is not the end of the world and there will be other CC jobs closer. Good luck in your decision.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Apr 12, 2018

That manager is a flake. I wouldn't touch that job with a ten-foot pole, especially not with the commute you've described. I know Med/Surg isn't your ideal job, but it's a great place to launch a career. It gives you such a wide knowledge base and exposure to almost every sort of disease process and diagnosis. I'm not one to say that EVERYONE should start in M/S, but in your case and with the available opportunities, I'd take the M/S position if I were you.

Guest219794 · Apr 12, 2018

SOOOOOOOO I have literally been driving myself crazy trying to "secure the bag" as a new grad by applying for several jobs. So far I have been offered two positions, but I'm not sure which one to accept. Although the first contender is located an hour and a half away from me, I'm attracted because it's a critical care RN position and offers several certifications during the course of the residency program. Whats weird is during my interview with the director of the unit she only asked me two questions and told me to reach for the stars.(LOL IF I DIDNT HAVE TOUGH SKIN I COULD HAVE CRIED) Two weeks later I got an email from them saying that they have selected another candidate blah blah, but within hours of that same email, I got a phone call saying oh that was a mistake "insert director name here" actually wants to hire you. The second contender is at a hospital closer to my home, thirty minutes to be exact. It is on a med/surg floor and the interview went 10 times better than ole "reach for the stars and follow your dreams" lady. I want to take the position as an ER nurse but the way I was offered the job seemed weird especially in conjunction with the way the interview went. What should I do ignore my gut or follow my heart and hope for the best?

Completely and totally off topic.

Just a pet peeve.

Really minor.

You have not literally been driving yourself crazy.

There are some of us old people, who like the literal definition of that word, and kind of hope it doesn't change. If it starts meaning "very much so", then we literally will be without a word when something literally happens.

OldDude · Apr 12, 2018

Completely and totally off topic.
Just a pet peeve.
Really minor.
You have not literally been driving yourself crazy.
There are some of us old people, who like the literal definition of that word, and kind of hope it doesn't change. If it starts meaning "very much so", then we literally will be without a word when something literally happens.

I thought I was the only one who had this pet peeve...now I realize I'm not alone. "If I could I'd hug you up big and kiss you on the forehead, I would, "literally.":yes:

Ruby Vee, BSN · Apr 13, 2018

Listen to your gut. Every new grad wants the critical care position, but there are some blatant red flags. Go for the Med/Surg, the shorter commute and the interview that didn't set your spidey senses to tingling.