Had a new job but now I don't!! WHAT?!?!

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

OK first of all I want to apologize for my rambling......so here goes (I'll try to make this short). I work in Med/Surg @ a large hospital. In the last year this hospital has obtained numerous smaller hospitals in the region, all of which took the main hospital's name. One of the smaller hospitals in about 20 miles from my house and a lot closer than the main one so I called HR to see if any jobs were available. The answer was exactly what I wanted to hear ICU full-time nights was available. I interviewed for the job and got it. I turned in my 4 week notice to my current manager and had to wait to see when she would "let me go" for the next schedule (high turn over rate, hard to fill position). So I find out my end date and call my new manager and just get her voicemail for about 1.5 week. FINALLY someone tells me that "she was asked to resign yesterday" WHAT?!?! OMG do I have a job there? I call HR for a week and continually get their voicemail. I go to this hospital after I get off of work (I work 7p-7:30a) and wait around there until 10:30 with no one coming into the office. I finally talk to the HR manager today and she said "there was a mix up w/ the positions, there isn't an ICU position available but we do have an ER one open. You can think about it tonight and let me know tomorrow." Now my question is should I take this ER position even though I really don't want the ER. My heart was set on ICU, it always has been my ultimate goal since before nursing school. Oh btw, my last day @ my med/surg job is next Wednesday (7/23)....yes this has been a frustruating month!!! Please give me your opinion because I'm thinking about taking the ER job but if I don't like it wouldn't it be easier getting an ICU job because doesn't ER count as critical care experience????

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Specializes in ER.

IMHO, you should not take an ER job just because it is what is open. If you want ICU, then you should hold out for ICU. ER and ICU are both challenging and have their own set of stressors. You will talk to some who think ER is not critical care, but if you walk a mile in an ER nurses shoes you might be surprised, but that is another topic for debate.

Can you stay at your old job, do you want to stay at your old job? ICU jobs, like ER jobs can have a high turnover rate, so one might become available sooner than you think.

If ICU has been your plan, you will not be satisfied with ER. It is hard enough being a nurse in a specialty you WANT to be in, much less one you take as a default.

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Specializes in Pediatrics (Burn ICU, CVICU).

Personally, I don't think I would even want to work for such a disorganized place.

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Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.
Personally, I don't think I would even want to work for such a disorganized place.

My thoughts exactly.

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Can you go back to your earlier job?

Why take the ER job if it isn't what you want?

And in such a disorganized place?

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Specializes in ICU/ER.

Ok here goes, I am getting ready to tell you something different. I would take the ER job. Why? 1) it is closer to home--gas prices are a killer. 2) yes the hosp is totally disorganized, they just got bought out--things are changing--give them a little while to adjust/settle. 3) Er and ICU are different, but they are also the same in many areas too.

Our ER staff and our ICU staff co-mingle as far as the sched goes. ICU staff can pick up in ER when there are holes and vice versa, we are the only two depts that can work for each other. The Er staff gets to know the ICU staff very well. So if you get the job in ER, they already know your heart was in ICU, when an ICU opening does come available you will probably be top on the list to get it.

So get your foot in the door, save some gas, learn some critical care etc etc etc.

FYI this is coming from someone who alawys thought she wanted to be an OB nurse, but the sched I wanted was not open, but an ICU sched that worked for me was open. Guess what, I personally couldnt imagine being anywhere else. I love my job!!

Good luck on what ever path you may choose!!

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Specializes in Day program consultant DD/MR.

I agree with racing-mom4 it is closer to your home, and you will have your foot in the door if an icu position opens up. But weigh your options and if you can stay in your current position and you are happy there then do what you feel is best for you. Best of luck.....

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Specializes in PACU.

I agree with Racing-Mom4, but that's based on my personal preferences and desires. I would much rather work ER than med-surg, and I'd rather work closer to home than farther away. I bet it would be possible after a year or so in the ER near home to switch up to their ICU. It's possible that the apparent disorganization is just related to the buy-out.

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take the ER.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

Thank you so much for all of the different opinions. I don't want to stay in my med/surg job because I hate it. I've hated it for a year. I only stayed in it is to get my year of med/surg experience and then move on to something else. I still haven't decided if I will take the ER position or not but y'all have really given me something to think about. :innerconf You guys ROCK!!!

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Specializes in Emergency, LTC, Med/Surg.

I agree take the ER position.

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Specializes in Tele,CCU,ER.

oooh...take the ER...but then pursue ICU if thats your dream!!!!

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