Help, I have two job offers

[miss_c]

i am a new graduate rn, through school i worked as an aide on a telemetry floor. i had my practicum internship on this floor it and it is where i thought i would start my career. however, by the time i got my license there were no positions for me, so i began applying elsewhere and was offered a position in a ltc facility. i am still on orientation at this facility; yesterday i got a phone call from the don at the hospital and was offered a position on the telemetry floor. both of the positions are second shift (not great since i am the mother of a school age child), the ltc is 4 days a week, while the telemetry positions is 5 days a week (i would rather work 4). the pay is about the same, a little more on telemetry. i think the experience would be better on the telemetry floor; can i have some other opinions? thanks :heartbeat

[oramar]

That is a tough call. No wonder you are asking for advice. For a newer person some acute care experience is really a plus. BUT it sounds like you are pretty comfortable where you are now. If you do take the telemetry position, make sure you do not burn your bridges where you are at cause being an RN on a telemetry unit is pretty difficult and you may want to return to LTC.

[NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN]

Really depends on what your ultimate goals are. Working Tele would probably open more doors. But family comes 1st. We can't decide for you, but follow your heart. If you take a tour of the Tele floor, ask how many CNA's or techs typically are on the floor, typical patient load etc.

I worked in a nursing home as an LVN, hated it, because I was basically throwing pills down patients throat, with no time to truly assess them. You're exposure will also be limited there, not really getting the IV experience or other experiences and you may lose some skills.

Like I said, depends on what you want.

[ItsTheDude]

tough call, i think i'd prefer telemetry, but i wouldn't want to work 5 days a week or even 4 days a week for that matter.

so, it's one more day off or telemetry, hmm.

[miss_c]

Thanks everyone for the responses! I made my decision and accepted the telemetry position! I was excited to learn that they are going to allow me to work 4 evenings instead of 5! Now, all I have to do is quit my other position! Does anyone have advise on resigning!

Miss_c

[JulieCVICURN, BSN, RN]

Be professional and courteous - make sure you give proper notice. Maybe if you have the time you could offer to stay on as a PRN or TR nurse if they'd want you to.

[caliotter3]

If it were me I would take the telemetry position and ask to change shifts on the LTC position and maintain two jobs. Put away the income from one job in the bank for the possibility of hard times ahead, or invest it for your retirement, or buy your own condo. In these lean times getting two jobs instead of none is too good to pass up. JMO

[Music in My Heart]

It's tough to sell bailing out of orientation for another job as anything other than being selfish and opportunistic. I'd probably do the same thing, mind you, but I wouldn't expect anything positive from the LTC.

Be polite and professional but be prepared for them to be upset. You've basically wasted their time and their money.

These days, however, you need to look out for number one and let the chips fall where they may.

Make this TELE thing work for you because your options have just become a whole lot more narrow.

Congrats on getting the job you wanted, though.

[miss_c]

Thanks everyone for the advise. I just returned from HR at the LTC, I was honest with them (I did not apply for the tele position they called out of the blue), I appologized for waisting their time and resources. I told them had I known this opportunity was comming I would not have accepted the LTC position. I thanked them for the opportunity that they had given me. I was told it was ok, they understand, and that I am eligible for rehire!

I appreciate everyones input!