Hello everyone! I am a new grad RN! I just passed my NCLEX a couple of days ago! First, I want to mention that I worked as an ER nurse extern for the last year of nursing school. I really enjoyed being in the ED and I felt like I learned a lot! I practiced iv placement, POC lab draws, straight caths, NG tubes, EKG, splinting, and responding to code blues.
I currently have a job offer for an ED nurse residency position. This position is at a hospital that isn't one of my top choices. The main reason is that they have a stipend pay for the first 4 months of residency. I would be making less than I did as a nurse extern, and it does not have benefits or PTO until after those 4 months. This hospital has a 2 year contract.
I just interviewed for an ICU nurse residency position and it is pretty likely that I will be offered the job. This position IS at a hospital that I love. I did clinicals here for my last semester. I would love to work in this hospital's ED. This ICU position also pays 2x as much as the other ED position at the other hospital, with benefits starting instantly. This job does not require a contract and will allow you to move to other departments within the hospital within 6 months.
I feel conflicted because I REALLY want to continue to develop in the ED, however, I know that the hospital with the ICU position is prestigious.
Either way, I am VERY thankful for the wonderful opportunities presented to me.
My question is,
WHAT SHOULD I CHOOSE? What are some factors I should look into before choosing a hospital/position?
Why don't you counter offer. Tell them you need wages and benefits right from the start. If they say no then it's all settled.
If it comes to it, I will let them know that the other job is starting my at 2x as much as this ED position. My only concern is that with it being a residency program, I really don't think there is much they can do. I believe all nurse residents start at the same rate because of limited/no experience as a RN.
Well, I interviewed with the manager that oversees all ICU's. This hospital has CVICU, MSICU, and ICU. They asked which unit I would prefer and I told them the ICU would be my top choice (mostly so I can see an array of things). I wouldn't mind working MSICU or CVICU though!
I spoke to the nurse manager of the ED yesterday. She informed me that they only had one spot available for the residency and they already hired someone for that spot. She then went on to say that they loved me so much during my interview that they went to HR and requested they open another spot for me and it was approved. Because they had to create a spot for me, the offer letter is being reconstructed and will be sent out to me before Friday.
I interviewed with the ICU at the other hospital on Friday. The interview went on for an hour! It started with the department manager and ICU charge, and then progressed to a panel interview. Because the unit was really busy, the charge had a hard time rounding staff up for the panel interview. The panel interview ended up consisting of the charge nurse and one floor nurse, the floor nurse was the same nurse that I followed on the unit during my last semester of nursing school, AND SHE REMEMBERED ME! The interview went really well and near the end it took more of a conversational tone. The charge mentioned to the other nurse to go ahead and finish filling out the paper work for my interview and she will go take it down to HR. She then walked me all the way down to the hospital lobby and we talked about her kids and how she balances work life/home life etc. At the end, she told me it was great meeting me and I should be hearing from the recruiter soon!
I left the interview feeling really confident. However, as time ticks right on by, I'm feeling less and less confident. I reached out to the recruiter yesterday and asked him for updates and he said he has not heard from the manager yet, but she is conducting interviews this week.
I guess I am looking at how quickly the first hospital got back to me and I'm comparing it to this hospital. I know stressing about it doesn't do much for me, but I am really hoping for this position! ?
handersRN
51 Posts
If it comes to it, I will let them know that the other job is starting my at 2x as much as this ED position. My only concern is that with it being a residency program, I really don't think there is much they can do. I believe all nurse residents start at the same rate because of limited/no experience as a RN.