Choosing GN positions

VANurse2010 · May 1, 2015

I had interview for a GN Critical Care Step Down in a 300 bed hospital. Of course I don't know 100% but I'm pretty certain they will offer me the job this Monday 5/4 (the day they said they'll make offers). My predicament is I interview for a GN Residency in a Neuro ICU in a big Magnet Hospital on Tuesday 5/5. I most definitely want to Neuro ICU position but seeing as I haven't had an initial interview yet and I don't know how long they will take to give out offers if they even want me.
I feel guilty accepting the GN Critical Care Step Down position knowing I'd take the other position in a heartbeat. Is it wrong to accept this offer to secure a job incase I don't get an offer at the big hospital? I could ask for a day or two to think it over but I'm guessing I wouldn't hear back from the big hospital for possibly a week and I couldn't hold them off for a week as they've stated orientation will start in 2 weeks.
Any advice would be helpful!
Megan

No, it is not wrong. You have to secure you financial stability, unless you have someone providing for that. In which case, why are you working?!

These facilities wouldn't think twice about cutting you loose if it's convenient for them, so don't feel too guilty about playing the game.

Dranger · May 1, 2015

When I first started I had a job offer for step-down the same day I got an interview for a trauma ICU. Unfortunately I had to go for the sure thing as they gave me 2 days to decide.

Personally I think it's bad taste to accept an offer then turn it town after getting a more lucrative job. Turning down the trauma job didn't hurt my career in the long run. I think the neuro ICU manager would respect you more if you explained the situation and who knows maybe you could work there down the road.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · May 1, 2015

I am assuming you will be getting the offer on Monday. What you do when you get the offer is say, "Thank you very much. Can you send me an email with the details? (ALWAYS get an offer of employment in writing!!!!) I'll be thinking about this very carefully. Can I get back to you by next Monday afternoon?" They'll probably give you a week, that's not unreasonable. If they pressure you for an immediate decision (GET IT IN WRITING!!! Did I say that?) that often means they don't have anybody else in line, and that's not a good situation to get into either.

And when you interview in neuro on Tuesday, when they ask if you have any questions, you say, "Although I would really like to work in this neuro unit because (......), I find myself with an offer for a position in critical care step-down. I have to give them an answer by next Monday. Can you tell me when you will be making your decision?"

And they may say, "We'll be interviewing for the next two weeks," and that will be past your deadline. At that point you have to say, "Thank you so much for the interview, but I have promised to respond to them by next Monday." This also tells them that you are honorable and your word is your bond. Then do it.

Or they might say, "We'll have a better idea about that by Thursday afternoon," and decide that since you were so awesome they don't want to take the chance that you'll go elsewhere if they don't give you an offer right then (in writing!!!). Remember, you have already let them know that you aren't being devious.

You have to be prepared to lose the chance at the neuro job if they can't/won't give you an answer before your promised response to step-down. If that happens, go to stepdown and learn a ton of stuff, and if you still want to go to neuro, apply after a year. Or you may find you'll fall in love c step-down and not want to leave. Either way, you can rest easy that you do have a job, and that will make your neuro interview easier.

joemomma35 · May 2, 2015

Take the above advice, but don't count your chickens before they hatch. Either way, what you're possibly being presented with is what we refer to as one of those "good problems." If you're in a situation where you get offered the step-down but can't get an offer from the ICU in time, just take the step-down job. You have your whole career to transfer later (one year is not unreasonable at all), and it's really easy to move around in nursing once you have experience.

Dranger · May 2, 2015

Take the above advice, but don't count your chickens before they hatch. Either way, what you're possibly being presented with is what we refer to as one of those "good problems." If you're in a situation where you get offered the step-down but can't get an offer from the ICU in time, just take the step-down job. You have your whole career to transfer later (one year is not unreasonable at all), and it's really easy to move around in nursing once you have experience.

I agree I went from step down to ICU after a year internally and some ED on the side

bbmeg02 · May 3, 2015

Well there are a couple factors that play in also...the critical care step down (CCSD) job is almost 2 hours away from my fathers house. He was dx with liver cancer a month ago and I would like to be as close to him as possible to spend however much time he has left. The neuro ICU job is 30 mins away from my father.

Also when I interviewed for the CCSD job they brought up that they want someone that wants to work on their floor for more than a year or two. Of which I don't want to be on CCSD that long and it's not where I want to live. However I worry it's foolish if I decline a position in hopes of another.

bbmeg02 · May 3, 2015

Also, my concern with the CCSD job is I have worked as a Nurse Tech (on a different floor) at that hospital and I've heard their orientation is not that great. Plus overall I'm not a big fan of that hospital. Whereas the neuro ICU is a Residency at a teaching hospital and appears to be much more comprehensive.

pixiestudent2 · Jun 16, 2015

What did you end up doing?