Interviews & job offers....Murphy's law?

Nurses General Nursing

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The more desirable job always seems to take too long to make an offer. I have a job offer and am scheduled to start next month. I interviewed for a more desirable opportunity, but they said they are going to decide in the next "month or so".

So I have to take the guaranteed job offer, right? I'd hate to hold out on the other one in such a competative job market and then not have ANY job. But if they do offer me the better job, I dont want to stiff the first place.

With my first nursing job I ended up in exactly this same situation, I took the first job offered knowing there may not be a second offer and one week after starting was offered the more desirable position. I turned down the second offer and stayed at the first place out of some misguided sense of loyalty and I have regretted it every day since. The job turned out to be a bad one, shoulda jumped ship. But hindsight is 20/20.

All I can think of is that commerical one bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush.......

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Specializes in floor to ICU.

Is it possible to gently let the second job opportunity know that you have already been offered a position?

Tough position to be in. Especially since you feel you have already been in this position before and your loyalty "burned " you.

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Specializes in Rehab, LTC.

I just went through the exact same thing! I decided to take the less desirable 1st job offer and have so much anxiety about it working out.

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Is it possible to gently let the second job opportunity know that you have already been offered a position?

Tough position to be in. Especially since you feel you have already been in this position before and your loyalty "burned " you.

Because the second one is such a competative spot, for a critical care residency, I dont want to do anything to make them not pick me. They interviewed 47 people for 5 spots. I dont feel like I can rush them at all. I dont want to give them any reason not to choose me. The odds that they will pick me are not good anyway, I am a fairly new grad and many of the other candidates were not new grads and had a lot more experience. I thought it would be all new grads, but when I got there I met several experienced nurses, some with ICU experience, also interviewing.

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Specializes in Medical Surgical Orthopedic.

I'm not sure employer loyalty makes a lot of sense these days. After all, they will call you off or lay you off when it no longer suits their needs to have you around. Feel free to take care of your own wants and needs.

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

I would call job 2 and tell them you got and offer at job 1. What's the worst that can happen? You won't get the job, which you state you don't think will happen anyway. They won't not hire you because you have another offer. They might still tell you that they aren't ready and you have to wait. Or, in box number three, they might offer you the job. I don't think it will hurt your chances for them to know that you are employable. Just be upfront and professional, and not pushy or needy. Good luck!

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Specializes in CNA, LPN and CMA.

I totally get your point. I've had that happen to myself. I have learned the hard way that if you are offered the position on the spot or if they are too eager to get you in the door, then they are desparate and there is always a reason for desparation.

It's a hard decision to make. I would take the job offered and if you get the other job offer, give your 2 weeks notice and start the other place. That's what I'd do anyways.

Good luck to you in whatever you decide.

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I went to a job interview many years ago. They told me that they couldn't hire right now because of a "job freeze" but they said they would contact me for the job as soon as possible. I waited 6 months and still no response. I then moved and got a new job. After I got my new job, I received a letter (with my old address on it) at my new home 2 weeks later telling me to come on down and that they were eager to hire me.:uhoh3:

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This seems to be what always happens! I hope it all works out for you. Remember, everything happens for a reason!

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Specializes in Home health was tops, 2nd was L&D.

I say take the first job, and work it honestly as if you had no second job in mind..then if the 2nd one makes offer, consider it and compare to what you have in the 1st job them give notice if you really want it....Just remember in alot of communities word can get out, so do not figure on doing this more than once at least not in same locale. You do not have to feel loyal if not there long enough to get loyal. I agree if the market gets bad they will cut your hours or lay you off in a heatbeat. You can not turn down or accept an offer till it is actually given to you and in today's world the 2nd offer may not come especially against experience.

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Specializes in ICU,ED, Corrections, dodging med-surg.

I'm in the same boat with different paddles. Got an offer today but desirable job 3rd interview not til next week. Told today, they needed me to start next weeks orientation. Asked other place if they could move it up as I have other irons in the fire so to speak. They stated they could not. So..all I could think of was ....."a bird in the hand..is going to help me buy groceries next week! God does answer prayers!!

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