I'm pretty sure I know the right answer, I probably just want someone else to tell me differently. :/
My love is ER, and according to the recruiter at my dream hospital (local county) the only reason they didn't choose me for the new grad residency was that preference for the limited slots went to people already working there as techs.
Through an instructor I impressed, I got a lead on a job in ICU at an LTAC. I've been there 9 months, 3 of which was orientation/preceptorship. My nurse manager when she hired me told me she didn't see LTAC as a long term career choice for me, and asked me unofficially to commit to a year which I did. I also started my BSN bridge which I will graduate in May (last coursework end of March). Everyone has been very happy with my work and progression as a nurse.
While the facility has been overall a good place to work, and I will forever be grateful for the training and opportunity... there are some workplace issues that make it uncomfortable. Nothing I can't handle, but just ... eh. What I really don't like is the long-term care environment itself. I don't like having the same patients days, weeks, months on end. I'm geared for a faster paced environment, as I apparently didn't get all my adrenaline addiction worked out when I was a paramedic years ago. :)
Anyway, the rub of it is that my dream hospital has multiple ER jobs posted with a minimum requirement of 6 months patient care experience, which I now have. But, I promised a year (and should that include my orientation time or not?) to my NM, and changing jobs while still working on my BSN is a little daunting. I know I don't have to accept if they offer a position, but if I apply and they offer, I don't know that I could turn them down.
Logic says I should stay put at least until April, or maybe June, and then apply. I'll have fulfilled my promise to my NM (and gotten them through the holidays without being short staffed), have my BSN in hand, and also have passed that 1-year experience mark.
My gut wants me to believe my NM will understand, that I can handle my capstone while learning the ER job, and that I should apply now. I have no reason to believe that the county hospital would hire someone with my limited experience to a part time or PRN job, and their orientation/training is probably during the day while I work nights, so I don't think working both for a while is really an option, though I could probably contact recruiting and feel it out.
Sigh. I know the right thing is to stay at the very least until one year (March)and the better thing to do would be to stay until a year after I came off orientation (June). I graduate in May with my BSN and would be interviewing with a year experience and my BSN. I've been told by someone who used to work at the county hospital that I'll make more money if I wait because of the experience. However, that same person advised me to go ahead and apply and work out the details if I get the offer. She doesn't see things at our hospital getting any better, and possibly getting worse.
I'm still torn. But in general my experience in my other career lives has been that most things done in haste don't work out. I'm going to wait to act until after the holidays and weigh this carefully. There's a lot to consider. I've never broken a promise I made to an employer or supervisor and it doesn't sit well with me. It's just very hard to sit the bench 3 or 6 months when I could possibly be out doing what I love.
theantichick
320 Posts
Sigh. I know the right thing is to stay at the very least until one year (March)and the better thing to do would be to stay until a year after I came off orientation (June). I graduate in May with my BSN and would be interviewing with a year experience and my BSN. I've been told by someone who used to work at the county hospital that I'll make more money if I wait because of the experience. However, that same person advised me to go ahead and apply and work out the details if I get the offer. She doesn't see things at our hospital getting any better, and possibly getting worse.
I'm still torn. But in general my experience in my other career lives has been that most things done in haste don't work out. I'm going to wait to act until after the holidays and weigh this carefully. There's a lot to consider. I've never broken a promise I made to an employer or supervisor and it doesn't sit well with me. It's just very hard to sit the bench 3 or 6 months when I could possibly be out doing what I love.