Help ASAP! Job offer but I don't want it?

[njngg]

Hi guys! I am a new grad and just received my first job offer. Currently, including this job, I have 3 jobs on the table (the other two I've only had preliminary interviews). This job was for a geriatric med/surg floor. As someone who loves maternity and pediatrics, this was clearly not my floor of choice but after being told by MANY people that your best bet in getting a first job as a new grad was med/surg, I went for it.

The other two jobs are nurse residency programs, meaning I won't really hear back or even have second interviews for them for at least another month. I also would most likely be able to have a maternity/pediatrics position with these residencies obviously making them more appealing to me.

So what do I do with this offer? I've talked to three of my friends and family, all with differing opinions! One said to take the offer and later down the line, if I get one of the nurse residencies, to pull out of the first offer. I believe this is rude, but that might just be me. One says to flat out reject the offer and the other says to ask for time to think about it.

The obvious best choice would be to ask for time to think about it but I wouldn't need the typical week or so, it would be more like a month before I had all offers on the table and would be able to make an informed decision. Should I ask for a couple weeks anyways?

Really confused Any help or advice would be appreciated.

[amoLucia]

Are you able to gauge your job search opportunities with some of your peers? Or do you know anything about the general hiring milieu for nurses such as yourself, within your community? Can you afford to take a gamble???

I truly doubt that any prospective employer would allow a new grad nurse applicant to 'decide' or 'think about it' for a month or so. That would signal to them that you are STILL looking and you're just stringing them along. They will NOT likely put their time & effort into your firing and orientation need - they'll see you as a risk.

And remember that mother/child positions are HIGHLY sought after and very competitive for newbie nurses like yourself. And residency programs are like GOLD nuggets! MCH positions also are desired by very experienced nurses.

It seems like you're in that proverbial position of "one bird in the hand versus two in the bush". The geri/MS position is a concrete given. There is NO guarantee re the other 2 positions. I don't think you'll want to regret having passed on that sure shot geri/MS offer if the other 2 don't pan out and you're left with NOTHING. Like as in 'no money, no experience' coming in.

My recommendation is to go with the geri/MS. Give it a true, honest fair shake of a try. If after a TRULY reasonable length of time, you don't like it, you can consider a transfer or seek something else, somewhere else. Just know if you 'cut & run', you could well be burning a bridge.

Good luck.

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

It's a calculated gamble with a moral aspect.

I wouldn't focus on maternity/pediatrics so much as the quality of the organization. Getting your foot in the door trumps specialty as a new grad. Nursing residencies tend to show that nurse development and support are valued. Best wishes in your decision.