Follow up to "new grad per diem offer - am I being ripped off??"

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi - some of you may have read my latest post. I'd not, here it is:

https://allnurses.com/first-year-after/new-grad-per-1162377-page4.

Basically, I was offered a position as a new grad per diem, no guaranteed hours, no benefits, and no pay differential. Based on the responses and my own feelings, I decided to decline the offer.

I left a message with HR regarding my decision. A few hours later, I got a call back offering me a 32 hour/week, "full time" position (they define FT as >30 hours/week)

I'm thankful for the offer, but it seems little fishy to me. They just hired 12 additional new grads on to the unit. I am not a huge fan of the hospital or speciality (though I can't be that picky as a new grad). Haven't heard awesome things about the unit... I have a few other applications being actively reviewed at different facilities.

I am also not in a position where I urgently need a job. I live at home and have very minimal financial constraints at the moment. This is probably the only time in my entire life I will have the luxury to job shop and be picky like this.

Thoughts? Should I accept or keep looking?

Thank you!

I almost feel like this time you SHOULD accept... I know it doesn't sound ideal and that you don't really need to rush in to anything right now but those other potential job offers are just that, potential, and the sooner you start working the sooner you'll have that ever-so-magical experience that will get you closer to the job you DO want. But also... it stinks quitting a job soon after accepting it. Which is what you may potentially wind up doing if one of those other applications comes through. I've been there and as much as I didn't like the position I was leaving I still felt like a crumb for wasting their time / "using them" because I was too impatient to wait for something I truly wanted. I know I didn't quite give you the perfect advice, but those are my thoughts on your options. Good luck in whichever you choose :-)

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

A bird in the hand...

You can always accept, and continue looking if it isn't working out. It's easier to find a job when you have a job.

I would accept the job while chalking up the former situation as "a failure to clearly communicate". In other words, give the employer the benefit of the doubt, a chance to successfully walk back their initial dismissive treatment of you. Then, continue to look for that better position while racking up experience time on the job. At any rate, good luck with your decision.

Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

I don't recommend taking the job right now. Pursue the specialty/hospital you want and if that doesn't work out you can work at this place later.

I say this if the job market is as good for you as it is for me right now.

It's important to take a job with the intention of staying. If you change your mind, then fine. But don't go in knowing its not what you want.

If it turns out in time to be your best option, you will go in with the right attitude then.

Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

Interesting how they suddenly "found" a full-time position for you. Honestly, if you have the luxury of not being hurried to find a job, you probably should hold off and pursue other avenues. Like someone else said, you can always take this job later if you don't land another one within a certain time frame, e.g. three months. I have a feeling they'll still be looking for somebody to fill this position then. And if not, you've probably dodged a bullet.

I'd take it, get experience while looking for what you want. Do you want to end up a new grad that graduated a year ago with no job looking for a job. Snap it up now. You can always quit later. Get experience!!

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