Help! How to address recruiter regarding different position when offered another!

[ConstantGrowth]

Hello everybody,

First of all thank you so much to whoever can give me some good insight on this situation. I have to talk to the recruiter tomorrow AM so I hope I get some answers tonight!!!

Situation:

I recently interviewed at an awesome hospital for an ED position. I genuinely love the ED and was thrilled to get the interview, everybody there was great, and I would be beyond happy to work there. There is just one little wrinkle. This is a level I trauma center, which was the biggest draw to the position. I recently found out I would not be working with trauma emergencies for at least 18 months.

I understand the rationale, but I was really looking forward to that critical care experience. Additionally, I am a newer nurse, so I want to make sure that my foundation is very solid in case in some crazy turn of events I decide the ED is not for me. (doubtful this would happen, but I have not worked in the ED in the capacity of a nurse so anything is possible.)

While I was at the hospital I met a nurse from a cardiothoracic surgery ICU. I have worked in an ICU before as a tech, and I know I love the ICU as well. I'm sort of a two headed horse in that I have the ADHD that gets me wanting the action, and I have a very focused and intense side that during my computer science coursework kept me at my desk for 24-48 hours straight sometimes being nitpicky with my code. So anywho, this ICU nurse started telling me all about his unit, how awesome the team is, and how I should apply there as well. He sent his manager my name and she wants to ask for my application.

I feel like the ICU would be a more reasonable place to start, because I would get the critical care experience right away, which could more easily translate to the ED if I were to transfer. I feel like no matter where I go, I am making a commitment and should stay there as long as they need me and contribute as much as I can.

I have not yet submitted my CTICU application because I want to make sure I don't offend the ED staff. Nothing I said to them during my interview process was fake or a lie. I expressed my love of the ED. However, I am afraid they will feel I was insincere.

I plan to speak with the recruiter tomorrow and ask her advice about how to handle it. I am hoping there is some kind of float pool position where I can do ICU and ED. If not, anybody have any suggestions about how to address this with her???

Thanks so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[xxdiscoxxheaven]

So... you don't actually have this ICU job yet?? I couldn't imagine turning down a real job for a maybe job.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Why on earth do you think they would put an inexperienced in trauma straight off the bat? Why would you give up a potential job offer for a possible interview based upon a referral from someone who met you in passing and a manager who hasn't even reviewed your resume/application yet? You may still be rejected by the CVICU before even considered for an interview. You still may be rejected by the ED as you haven't said that you received an offer yet.

Baby steps. Just because you have ADHD and can hyper focus on computer code does not always translate to being successful in ED or ICU. ED is variable paced depending on census. You are likely to be given an extended orientation in either unit and only be assigned the most stable patients to start especially being inexperienced.

If you have an offer vs a manager willing to review your application. In the current job market where new and inexperienced grads can search 18+ months for their first job what do you think is the more prudent choice? If you are not extended an offer from the ED then apply to the CVICU for consideration.

Any reputable facility would never put an inexperienced nurse in a float pool so don't get your hopes up on that option.

[ConstantGrowth]

Thanks for your responses. I don't have an offer yet for the ED position. And, I don't intend to turn it down prior to chatting with the ICU manager.

Also, the float pool there does train extensively and will take new grads. I think you all are right, but I want to make sure I don't regret not having made an attempt to explore all options. :)

[canigraduate]

???

I wouldn't worry about any of this until you get job offers.

It sounds like you're getting way ahead of yourself. You can't choose between positions you don't have yet.

Apply to everything you want, just realize the department heads don't exist in a vacuum and they do talk to each other. If you apply to everything, they're going to know you're insincere about wanting to work in their specific department.

By the way, you really shouldn't be unleashed on trauma patients until you have an idea of what to do. As far as ICU, you will probably have extensive classroom time combined with preceptorship before they let you loose, too. There is no quick and dirty patient care except in subpar hospitals.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

You can talk to any and every manager around. However if you are given a solid job offer I would take it. I don't know any specialty that will let you lose on the sickest/most injured patients without decent training and experience. I understand you desire to get in and work with those patients, but you need a solid foundation first. If you excell and show you are able to manage those type of patients, I'm sure they would let you care for them sooner. For most places this is a case by case (or employee by employee) situation. Good luck.

[turtlesRcool]

Thanks for your responses. I don't have an offer yet for the ED position. And, I don't intend to turn it down prior to chatting with the ICU manager.

A chat with an ICU manager is all well and good, but you don't turn down a job offer on the basis of a chat, even an awesome chat were s/he says everything you want to hear. If you're turing down a job offer, it better be for another job offer - another job offer you have in writing.