Tele or Med-Surg for RN that is new to the floor...and more decisions?

[loving2]

I've been a public health nurse for 5 years. I would like to get some hospital exp. and need the money since my husband was recently laid off.

I have been very assertive with 2 local hospitals. Lol I literally walked into the hospital with my resume after applying online and not getting past HR. I made phone calls and emails to the directors to get my foot in the door. I have some friends that work there too. Well, of course now both hospitals have called to arrange an interview with me. The interviews are one week apart from each other. Both positions are FT, days/evenings, 12 hr. rotating. So here are my options.

Hospital A

*15 min. from home

*position is on Med Surg

*heavier pt. load

*the floor does not carry a good reputation per a few RN friends of mine. The nurses are "lazy", etc.\

*I think I have a pretty good shot at getting this job.

*interview is Mon. with a 5 hr job shadow the same day

Hospital B

*35-40 min. from home

*position is on Telemetry

*lighter load

*better reputation

*slightly lower pay

*Not too confident about my chances for getting this job, but I guess we'll see

*interview is a week AFTER Hospital A

What sounds like a better fit? Is med surg *harder* than tele? I know it's a little premature, but what if I'm offered the position at Hosp. A before I have my interview with Hosp. B? My other interview isn't until a week later, but I don't want to lose the first opportunity I get. But then what if I like Hosp. B better?

Sorry my thoughts are so jumbled. My mind is spinning with decisions.

[arika2010]

Good luck! Med-surg will help expand your skills, go with that job.

[lkwashington]

What you can do is go to both interviews. Explain to them that you have another interview and you would like to compare them both not just the pay. I know nurses that has done this. The interviewers respected their wishes. Compare them with everything such as how the HR sell their facilities, fill of the environment, socially of the people, and how you feel is the most important. Just take everything in consideration. Good luck to you.

[Nurseinprocess]

Med-surge could end up being a lot of geriatrics, tele would be a lot of cardiac drips. I have had many of my nursing school classmates start out in tele, nobody has gotten a job in med-surge that I know of (I work on a surgical unit). I would pick the unit with the better reputation. If you don't like it you can always quit! I like my unit, I get a small taste of med-surge but mostly just post surgery pts.