Having a hard time choosing first job!

natifante, ADN, ASN, RN · May 9, 2020

18 minutes ago, ER_BiscuitStripes said:
3 year contract!! WOW! That’s the longest I’ve heard of. I have mixed feelings on contracts, especially that long. I get why they implement them, but at the same time, they’re implementing them because people are leaving. So is it that people are using that med/surg/tele job as a stepping stone, or is it really that bad that people leave quickly and they’re trying to reduce turnover? Check as some others said, I know one particular hospital that had a 2 year contract, 1 year was to the unit, the second year was to the hospital, so you could transfer units after 1 year. A 3 year contract to a single unit is a red flag for me.
The hospital without a contract is more appealing to me because to me, it would seem nurses are happy there and don’t leave quickly. It could also be that it is an ICU and is not used as a stepping stone, so make your own assumptions. But ICU is not for everyone and you need to ask yourself if the ICU is where you want to work. It’s going to be a STEEP learning curve.
I’ve also made the 1+ hour drive, while it’s not the worst, it’s definitely not ideal. Is this a day or night position? Days is much easier, an hour drive after a night shift is BRUTAL.

I know the contract is to the hospital, but the unit at least 1 year. For the ICU position, I was thinking that a lot more is appealing about the hospital and job, but since it's night shift, I'm thinking I will just find an apartment closer so I don't have to commute so long. I know myself and I hate long drives so I think I will move closer and take ICU with no contract so that I feel better about it overall.

ModeRNurse20 · May 9, 2020

I thought I would throw in my opinion. I am in the exact same situation. I had a possibility to work in the smaller more rural ER (but very busy) where I work as an ER tech or a cutting edge ICU at a much larger hospital. I chose ICU due to the resources and training combined for a new grad coming out. I made sure to tell the hiring manager that I wanted to start out somewhere to build a strong foundation on knowledge right out of school and that if they would put effort into teaching me, I would be moldable to their way of doing things. I thought that since I was a new grad, I can approach a new place and situation with an open mind and look for ways to learn and grow. As with anything in life, anytime you grow it will probably be uncomfortable. But that's what nursing school has taught us all. It gets uncomfortable, you adapt and you overcome (right?). And after 6 mos. you can transfer in the hospital if it's just not for you.

Hang in there! When it comes to the challenge of a new grad working in ICU, here's my plan: Show the ICU staff that you are dedicated to your craft and lay low until you gain some respect with the staff (a few months at least) and then if you have problems with the few infamous "I forgot I used to be new too" nurses, then deal with them in private, individually. Basically something like "It seems like you have something against me. If there's something you would like to say, say it to me directly. Otherwise, we can discuss it with our supervisor." Most people will look at you differently for confronting them like that. If that doesn't work any they are making your work day miserable, go above their heads until someone listens. Just have proof. No one should have to work in a hostile workplace. Ever. I don't care if that is "just how it's been". This is my second career and I've worked other places where this occurred and shut it down successfully. It can be done.

natifante, ADN, ASN, RN · May 9, 2020

23 minutes ago, ModeRNurse20 said:
I thought I would throw in my opinion. I am in the exact same situation. I had a possibility to work in the smaller more rural ER (but very busy) where I work as an ER tech or a cutting edge ICU at a much larger hospital. I chose ICU due to the resources and training combined for a new grad coming out. I made sure to tell the hiring manager that I wanted to start out somewhere to build a strong foundation on knowledge right out of school and that if they would put effort into teaching me, I would be moldable to their way of doing things. I thought that since I was a new grad, I can approach a new place and situation with an open mind and look for ways to learn and grow. As with anything in life, anytime you grow it will probably be uncomfortable. But that's what nursing school has taught us all. It gets uncomfortable, you adapt and you overcome (right?). And after 6 mos. you can transfer in the hospital if it's just not for you.
Hang in there! When it comes to the challenge of a new grad working in ICU, here's my plan: Show the ICU staff that you are dedicated to your craft and lay low until you gain some respect with the staff (a few months at least) and then if you have problems with the few infamous "I forgot I used to be new too" nurses, then deal with them in private, individually. Basically something like "It seems like you have something against me. If there's something you would like to say, say it to me directly. Otherwise, we can discuss it with our supervisor." Most people will look at you differently for confronting them like that. If that doesn't work any they are making your work day miserable, go above their heads until someone listens. Just have proof. No one should have to work in a hostile workplace. Ever. I don't care if that is "just how it's been". This is my second career and I've worked other places where this occurred and shut it down successfully. It can be done.

Thank you so much! It's really comforting to hear of others in similar situations. Choosing something that scares you is...well, just plain scary haha! But you're completely right, it is uncomfortable when you're growing. I'll try my best to follow your advice, I'm not expecting anything to be perfect and happy all the time but I will make sure to stay positive and surround myself with support as much as I can. Good luck to you by the way, I hope choosing ICU helped you to grow and continue to grow!

ModeRNurse20 · May 10, 2020

19 hours ago, natifante said:
Thank you so much! It's really comforting to hear of others in similar situations. Choosing something that scares you is...well, just plain scary haha! But you're completely right, it is uncomfortable when you're growing. I'll try my best to follow your advice, I'm not expecting anything to be perfect and happy all the time but I will make sure to stay positive and surround myself with support as much as I can. Good luck to you by the way, I hope choosing ICU helped you to grow and continue to grow!

You are very welcome. It is scary, but it is healthy fear. If we weren't a little intimidated, I would venture to say that would be a very dangerous thing for a new nurse. I remember when I took a job and the training was absolutely grueling, my trainer was extremely rude to me in front of staff and others. I was so in shock about how rude the person was, they were pretty much trying to make me quit. At first, I thought, this isn't for me, I have to get out of here. Your instinct may tell you to run. But I assure you, if you hang on, more often times than not, you will be glad you did. When you work hard for something you get to be proud of your work. I finished training and truly enjoyed what I did because I had full confidence in my abilities.

Nurselexii · May 10, 2020

You have received excellent advice on here, I just thought I would say congratulations! You did it! ?

vcRN, LPN · May 11, 2020

Congratulations! I am curious to know if having your ADN/ASN was difficult in finding a job?

natifante, ADN, ASN, RN · May 11, 2020

3 minutes ago, vcLPN-RN said:
Congratulations! I am curious to know if having your ADN/ASN was difficult in finding a job?

Thank you! And I had no trouble at all. Though I was able to say in all my interviews that I was already accepted into my BSN program and starting classes this fall, so that probably helped.

On 5/10/2020 at 6:18 AM, Nurselexii said:
You have received excellent advice on here, I just thought I would say congratulations! You did it! ?

Thank you ?❤️

speedynurse, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-P · May 12, 2020

On 5/7/2020 at 2:33 PM, natifante said:
Hello! I graduated nursing school in December and passed NCLEX in February. I have been applying for so many residencies and declined from many because of coronavirus. But I finally landed 2 hospital jobs. But I am very anxious and scared about making the wrong choice. I am really struggling with what I should pick. Quite the blessing though, so I am thankful choosing between two jobs is my only problem right now Maybe some insight from fellow nurses and a discussion from others can help me.
So hospital 1: it's for a med-surg/tele floor, starts in July, good reputation for residency, 3 year contract, 20 minutes from my home, decent pay. I like this one because I feel it's a good place to start, close to home, love the hospital, and so many people have said to start in med surg so I am strongly considering this one. Plus I still don't know exactly what specialty I want and figured med surg is a great starting point.
Hospital 2: it's for an ICU position, starts in June, they call their residency an internship but said they're willing to train me on all new nursing skills and ICU specific training too for 12 weeks, no contract, 1 hour drive one way from my home, great pay. I am willing to move but since it starts so soon I'll be commuting initially. I like that I am not bound contractually to stay for 2 or 3 years because I'd love to do travel nursing once I get a year of experience maybe, and I like that it's ICU because of the critical care and patient ratio. I am nervous though because I am not confident in even my basic skills and I'm afraid of this being too much for me as a new, inexperienced nurse, but also don't want to pass up the opportunity.
What do you think?

I would hate to get stuck in a 3 year contract. But that’s just me.

If you feel up to a long commute or move and ready for ICU, 12 weeks isn’t a bad training. I would ask if you could have a longer orientation if you feel like you need it. Most new grad ED/ICU nurses should get anywhere from 12 to 16 weeks minimum depending on their comfort level.

DTWriter · May 13, 2020

On 5/7/2020 at 2:33 PM, natifante said:
Hello! I graduated nursing school in December and passed NCLEX in February. I have been applying for so many residencies and declined from many because of coronavirus. But I finally landed 2 hospital jobs. But I am very anxious and scared about making the wrong choice. I am really struggling with what I should pick. Quite the blessing though, so I am thankful choosing between two jobs is my only problem right now Maybe some insight from fellow nurses and a discussion from others can help me.
So hospital 1: it's for a med-surg/tele floor, starts in July, good reputation for residency, 3 year contract, 20 minutes from my home, decent pay. I like this one because I feel it's a good place to start, close to home, love the hospital, and so many people have said to start in med surg so I am strongly considering this one. Plus I still don't know exactly what specialty I want and figured med surg is a great starting point.
Hospital 2: it's for an ICU position, starts in June, they call their residency an internship but said they're willing to train me on all new nursing skills and ICU specific training too for 12 weeks, no contract, 1 hour drive one way from my home, great pay. I am willing to move but since it starts so soon I'll be commuting initially. I like that I am not bound contractually to stay for 2 or 3 years because I'd love to do travel nursing once I get a year of experience maybe, and I like that it's ICU because of the critical care and patient ratio. I am nervous though because I am not confident in even my basic skills and I'm afraid of this being too much for me as a new, inexperienced nurse, but also don't want to pass up the opportunity.
What do you think?

For each unit, ask to shadow during a time when you would be working (I.e. day shift or night shift) - a great way to familiarize yourself with your colleagues and get an idea of the working conditions.

Side notes: A 3 years contract is suspicious. Definitely shadow that unit.