Haven't graduated yet, being asked to stay after I do. Need some advice

[FLnurseprospect]

I have been working in an outpatient clinic for almost seven years, as a Medical Assistant. I am in my third semester of RN school. My employer has been very generous in providing full time benefits (while working part time) and scheduling me based on my school schedule; even offering me opportunities to work from home.

Last week my employer pulled me aside and essentially told me about their vision for my new position as an RN Case Manager working in the hospital, outpatient surgery center, skilled nursing facilities, and in patient's homes. They are requesting I sign a contract to stay. Up until this point, it was not my intention to stay. I assumed they didn't expect me to stay. I knew that after I graduated, I would have to try and get a job in a hospital setting in order to get the experience that I needed to be a skillful and well rounded nurse. However, considering everything they are doing for me now, the fact that I still need a job, the opportunity to work hands on with other established professionals, and the salary that's being discussed, it seems foolish not to accept the position. I asked for a week to review the details of the position before I give them an answer. I have an indebted feeling towards my employer because they have been extremely fair with me and that feeling is really influencing my decision making. I need some objective opinions :)

I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet but I have a couple of different questions:

1. Is it too soon to ask this of me? The thought of a contract (which by-the-way hasn't been completed yet) seems so limiting which defies one of the reasons I chose a career in nursing (the flexibility). I know they are planning for the future of the practice but I haven't even completed my third semester.

2. Considering the position may require up to a 50 hour work week (most likely more) and includes taking call and sometimes visiting patients on the weekend, what other types of nursing jobs would allow me to continue utilizing the skills I've learned (peg tube, trach, Ng tubes, Caths, IVs, etc.)? I know there is per-diem work at the hospital which If I take the position, I will apply for but, I'm looking for other alternatives I may not be thinking about or know of.

I only learned about this position on Friday, so yes, I am still doing my research. I am here as part of that. Your expertise are greatly appreciated!!

[caffeinatednurse, BSN, RN]

I passed up a perfectly good nursing job while I was still in nursing school "because I wanted to work at the hospital for the hands on experience." It was literally handed to me in the sense that if I wanted it, it was mine. I had done clinicals at the facility and the nurses and DON knew me and liked me.

I passed up the job. I took a med-surg job at a hospital because that's what I thought I was supposed to do, and it was what everyone told me to do. Get 1 year of med-surg experience and then move on to do whatever you like.

I hated the hospital job and ended up leaving after just 4 months. The other job had already been filled by then. I stayed unemployed for over a year, because the nursing job market here came to a standstill after that. Now, after a year and a half of applying to virtually every hospital, LTC facility and physician's office, I'm finally starting orientation for a good nursing job (in terms of benefits, pay, orientation, general work environment and coworkers) this week. While I'm still in the beginning steps of my nursing career, most of my former classmates have either moved on to their preferred area or went back for their MSN.

My opinion:

If you like the employer, can see yourself working there as an RN and feel comfortable taking the job, I would accept the offer. You never know what the job market is going to be like after you graduate. Do you really want to risk losing a potentially great job where you know the employer, etc for what could be a not so great job? The job I accepted at the hospital was available because of the rapid turnover rate on that floor and generally unhealthy/toxic work environment. People were literally running from that floor in groups, but I didn't know that until after I started the job. Unfortunately, that is becoming more and more common in acute care. Unless you land on a great unit (and they are out there), acute care can be hellish for new grads.

Just something to think about.

Best of luck with your decision.

[Concerto_in_C, BSN, RN]

Do you like your boss and coworkers? If you do then stay. If you don't or you have doubts then screw them. They are asking you to stay because they suck and their unit sucks.

You are in this business for the patients and for yourself, not to make your boss happy.

There are a million jobs out there.

[AutumnApple]

They're offering something that most nurses have to compete for and have been very decent to you so far. I'd take it with the caveat that you also want to obtain some bedside experience to be better qualified for this position and do they see a way to obtain/provide that experience within your commitment.

i would make working with this company a priority and make everything else work around that. Thats just me.

What I highlighted above is why: They worked to impress you. They have been, as the poster I quoted put it, "very decent to you so far." They've shown they don't think having you aboard comes free.

Many employers would have tried to use scare tactics and all sorts of other things to get you to stay, they went with the higher road. Don't take that lightly.

Me: I'd take the position with them and if you are still concerned about being a "well rounded nurse"...........work a bit on a M/S unit or something one weekend a month or something.

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

Perhaps ask if you can work continue to part time but now as a case manager while gaining per diem hospital experience until you feel comfortable with the hospital. If they want you, they may agree to this. It sounds like this is a new position being created for you?...