Gift from the 'rona, or lamb to the slaughter?

[zephyr9]

So, to cut to the chase.  I was offered a position in a specialty that I have no experience in--without an interview!  It is on a cardiac floor...and I have worked in psych for the past few years.  The most medical experience I have was five years ago, a year on a rehab floor.

I spoke to the manager only briefly; she called me about a week after I applied.  She said she liked a psych background, saw it as an asset.  Stated that it would be a three month orientation, get me right into ACLS, bim-bam-boom....they need someone asap.  She said someone would call me back to schedule an interview, that the nurses on the unit participate in the interview when possible...but noone called me.  After about a week the manager started leaving me messages, which I now avoided because I had accepted another position in my psych hospital.

About the 4th time she called me, I finally answered.  She said brightly, "An email has been sent to your work and personal emails."  I said crisply, OK, thanks, I'll check it out! Thinking, yeh, woulda been nice....

Buuut, I open the email and blink---blink--there is an offer of employment on a telemetry unit.  

I am stunned.  I called the manager immediately and gushed like a kid. Thank you! I said.  She said, Are you accepting?  I said, Uhhhh, wellll, I kind of tentatively accepted, ah, well, ah, OK, did accept another---but---I want it...!  She said, "Why don't you think about it over the holiday weekend."  I gushed some more, "Oh, I can't think about it THAT long, I don't want to do that to the other manager...."  Stupid.  I was really thrilled though!

Now here I am early on Black Friday, nursing managers everywhere at home asleep...psyching myself out to try to gracefully withdraw my acceptance of the job at my hospital to accept this telemetry job at this other hospital in the same system.  

My first impression:  This is a wonderful gift from the coronavirus fairy!  The hospitals are in a state of flux during the pandemic and are loosening up their hiring practices a little.  Yeah, makes sense, right?  I have coveted a job on a cardiac unit for so long.  Jump on this golden opportunity!

Yet, I'm having trouble wrapping my head around it.  It's a nice hospital, good reputation, in a great system in a huge city, but not the main campus, a smaller campus with a small town vibe.  The manager stated that her unit had nine COVID patients currently. (According to our systemwide census, that whole campus has about 50 COVIDs, as opposed to our main which has over 100 currently).  I get it that many experienced RNs are out making bank on crisis assisgnments, but it is hard to imagine that they are so hard up that they are hiring a psych nurse to a tele unit---STAT.  And not only that, I am 52 years old, she must have gathered that from my resume if she really looked at it.  How does it make financial sense for them to hire me? 

Is there some fast and dirty management practice of hiring quick when in need, than offloading once the crisis is over?  Worried about a half-assed orientation....everyone in jeopardy...I mean, how bad does it have to be to hire an RN sight unseen with no experience and no interview?????  Should I be suspicious?  

I love the hospital I already work at.  I am by no means desperate for a job.  But the allure of a long-desired chance to work in telemetry is powerful enough for me to charge into a *** show and give it all I've got in exchange for them giving me a fighting chance.  

The email was from HR at the other hospital, a conditional offer of employment, 120 day probation, discussion of start date if I accept.  Again, NO interview transpired.

What do you think?

[GrumpyRN, NP]

2 hours ago, zephyr9 said:

Again, NO interview transpired.

Sounds like they are desperate for staff - but you already know this.

120 days probation and by then a vaccine for the 'rona might be available and you are out on your proverbial.

[Davey Do]

2 hours ago, zephyr9 said:

What do you think?

First, zephyr, I would like to compliment your writing style- it flowed and was a pleasurable read.

Next, I want to say that in your heart of hearts, you know which path you're going to take. I sense you're wisely putting feelers out there just in case some says something you hadn't considered.

From my perspective, you want and are going to go for this medical position. It's fresh, exciting, and if it doesn't work out, there's alway the psych safety net. It's been there for me.

Good luck in your endeavors, zephyr!

 

[JKL33]

5 hours ago, zephyr9 said:

But the allure of a long-desired chance to work in telemetry is powerful enough for me to charge into a *** show and give it all I've got in exchange for them giving me a fighting chance.  

That's the bottom line. So you might as well go for it as long as you understand that some version of off-the-rails, 3-ring-circus + [--] show is quite likely. In addition, don't believe anything they say. I think you have assessed the situation accurately: There really aren't a lot of other logical explanations for this sort of hiring mode. Who knows whether they will look to off-load you in the future. They can't be trusted to disclose their position.

Yet if you understand all of this and want to try to capitalize on an opportunity that you've always wanted while fully understanding the risks involved, then go for it. ??

[zephyr9]

Thanks guys.  Grumpy, I read they should start putting out vaccines by mid Dec.  You're right Davey,  I am gonna try it.  At this point in life, ya gotta take the shots when you get a chance.  JKL: and if they give me the boot, I will take my toys and go back to the *** show I came from!

[HiddencatBSN, BSN]

I think the usual practice of group interviews is likely on hold because of the pandemic. And they probably are desperate for staff too. But a 3 month orientation seems fine to me, and if they’re not anticipating you being a number on the floor for 3 months they are looking at you as a longer term hire and not just a quick body in scrubs. I think managers who appreciate psych backgrounds are smart ones to see that as experience that is useful in all patient care areas. I would take the job. It could be terrible but I’ve had jobs where the interviewing process threw up no flags end up being terrible too, and I think that’s a risk with any new job, you know? 

 

[spotangel, DNP, RN, NP]

I would take it and learn as much as I could!

Be prepared though ,to be counted in the numbers during a Covid crisis even though you are on "orientation" as we wait for the next surge. Do you know anyone on that unit to get an idea of how it runs-----? Best of luck!

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

Go for it. You can always go back to psych if you leave in good standing.