Full time vs. per diem

[apey08]

Hello all!

I have a little problem! I got offered a full time job in a primary care setting, working with a wonderful provider who loves to teach! I am very excited especially since we were told we would be lucky if two of us found FT jobs.(I am a new grad, this May!) My problem is I accepted the job and start next week but, I just got a call from an inside person I know on the OB floor. OB is where I have always wanted to work and now I have an opportunity. This position is only for per diem. I guess I am confused on what to do. Do I stay with the FT, our family needs the money, the hours are great, or do I do my dream job and risk hardly getting enough hours. I just don't think it would be possible to do both due to the prientation needed for a new grad. Any advice???

Thanks so much!

[Honey Gal]

As a new grad, you need some experience under your belt before specializing in OB. It would be good experience for you to become comfortable dealing with people in various situations. If you are a 100% sure OB is where you want to be, consider if this could lead quickly to a full time position. To train in OB, one usually must be on orientation for I think 6 months. (That would be temporarily full time.) Can you live on a per diem salary?

[cbcle]

Do both! Especially if you need the money. That way you get your foot in the door with the specialty that you love, but you have a steady paycheck and the experience of working with a great primary care provider. Congratulations!

[NewTexasRN]

Take it from me. The opportunity might not come again for a very very long time. I regret the day I went into med-surg. Now I'm stuck and can't get into icu. Good Luck.

[nursedolphin]

Is your inside person a hiring manager that makes the final decision? I cannot tell you the number of times I thought a job was going to work out.....please be careful and do not give up a FT job. Maybe you could start the FT job and work PRN in OB. I had so many similar experiences and even received verbal offers only to not get the position.I even gave up great positions for the chance at my dream job-needless to say, it did not work out. Good luck!

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

Working PRN as a new grad isn't the best thing to do, esp in an area like OB. You will most likely not receive a full orientation as you would if you were working FT. Also, do they float their PRN's off the unit when the census is low. And I would be leery of a place that hires new grads into PRN positions, most want at least a year of experience before they will hire you in as PRN. Just some food for thought.

[KalipsoRed]

I like the 'do both' idea, just realize that you won't see much of your family for another 6 to 12 months.

[caliotter3]

I also agree with "do both". You can arrange to mesh your available hours and will thus get the benefits of both positions. You are very fortunate.

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

I second "do both." That way you have opened the door for some OB/hospital experience and would would have your foot in the door if a full-time job opened up.

[tyvin, BSN, RN]

Are these opportunities in the same hospital? Sorry; can't tell but by the wording it appears so. If that's the fact then I would go with the FT, do my how many months and then when a slot comes up in OB (which inevitably it will) you can apply and have first dibs since you would be employed already by the facility. Then you would have your med-surg experience which IMO is critical to have before going into OB. Yes I know nurses who went right into OB and succeeded but they were in a hospital starter program.

Appears you have a FT job; I would enjoy the opportunity, learn as much as you can. These things always have a way of working themselves out.

Either way; good luck to you.

[gettout]

Take the full time position.

[DeLana_RN, BSN, RN]

I would take the full-time job. After some med/surg, you can always go into OB later (but you said primary care setting - does this mean a doctor's office? This may matter, since it's not acute care. This advice is based on having an acute care job offer).

If you do go into OB, don't do it PRN (at least to start out) - trust me, even if they claim you will get the same orientation as full-timers, you won't. And you may get so few hours that you will never get competent (but when your annual eval comes, they will conveniently forget that fact). PRNs are also the first to be called off, etc. etc. Plus, no benefits, no security - not a good position to be in, especially as a new grad.

Good luck to you!

DeLana

P.S. If our alternative is a doctor's office, it's more complicated. You may have a hard time getting into a hospital with only out-pt experience. So taking the PRN job may make more sense, but only if you can be assured that you will get the extensive orientation/training that you need.