How long did you take to accept job offer?

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Hi All -

I am a Dec 2007 grad and just received my first job offer. I am very interested in this position, however because I am a divorced mom of 3, I was hoping to not have to start on nights. (This job is 3 x 12's with 16 week orientation). There is another hospital in my area that called me a few days ago regarding my resume & to ask which depts I want to interview with. However, those interviews are not scheduled yet.

So my questions is - what is an appropriate amount of time before I accept or decline the first offer?? A couple of days, a week, etc. I am SO broke, I hate the thought of declining any decent offer. KWIM???

Thanks,

DBev

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Specializes in Did the job hop, now in MS. Not Bad!!!!!.
Hi All -

I am a Dec 2007 grad and just received my first job offer. I am very interested in this position, however because I am a divorced mom of 3, I was hoping to not have to start on nights. (This job is 3 x 12's with 16 week orientation). There is another hospital in my area that called me a few days ago regarding my resume & to ask which depts I want to interview with. However, those interviews are not scheduled yet.

So my questions is - what is an appropriate amount of time before I accept or decline the first offer?? A couple of days, a week, etc. I am SO broke, I hate the thought of declining any decent offer. KWIM???

Thanks,

DBev

Hi DBev,

just another question to ponder is, what shifts will be available to you as a new grad. It's fairly similar for many places to start on evening shift.

For some reason, I've noticed that night shift is like paying dues as a new grad, since it's the shift lease desired by most seasoned nurses. Either that or it's the place to put a new grad b/c it's less chaotic and a better environment to learn and get started in. Whatever the rationale, I'll be starting my 3-12's 7P-7A in a couple of weeks for my first job. I'm grateful b/c of the latter reasoning, and also the pay differential helps now that I'm being inundated by letters from my school loan lendors.

If you already have an offer this early on, you're way ahead in the game. Keep your options open. see what else is out there. It's only September. I understand broke. But would you be starting work while still in school? Or can this decision wait?

Sorry no answers here, but more things to help you come to your own decision I hope.

Good Luck! :nurse:

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ChloeinAtl - Thanks for your thoughts. You are correct, this is an early offer. However, this is the hospital that I want to work at and their are 5 excellent colleges of nursing (3 of which have Dec. grads) within a 60 mile radius that will be chomping at the bit for new grad positions. I also agree with everything you said about new grads on nights. I am in my first 2nd shift clinical this last semester of nursing school, and man oh man is it LESS hectic!! The chart is always available, less other health team members, I can focus better, etc. So, I can see how nights will be helpful to me as a new grad.

This unit is self schedule unit, so I could work 3 12s on the weekends mostly when my kids are with their dad. I've tried to not let $$$ be the main factor, but I found out yesterday that I would get the "bonus"/scholarship money NOW even though I won't start until Jan. 2008. It's a 2 yr committment to the hospital, but I could request a transfer to another area of the medical center after 90 days if need be. (which it would have to be absolutely horrible for me to do this).

I am going to think about it more over through the weekend...but right now I am inclined to take it.

Thanks for reading/listening! Good luck with your new job. What kind of unit??

DBev93

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Specializes in Did the job hop, now in MS. Not Bad!!!!!.
ChloeinAtl - Thanks for your thoughts. You are correct, this is an early offer. However, this is the hospital that I want to work at and their are 5 excellent colleges of nursing (3 of which have Dec. grads) within a 60 mile radius that will be chomping at the bit for new grad positions. I also agree with everything you said about new grads on nights. I am in my first 2nd shift clinical this last semester of nursing school, and man oh man is it LESS hectic!! The chart is always available, less other health team members, I can focus better, etc. So, I can see how nights will be helpful to me as a new grad.

This unit is self schedule unit, so I could work 3 12s on the weekends mostly when my kids are with their dad. I've tried to not let $$$ be the main factor, but I found out yesterday that I would get the "bonus"/scholarship money NOW even though I won't start until Jan. 2008. It's a 2 yr committment to the hospital, but I could request a transfer to another area of the medical center after 90 days if need be. (which it would have to be absolutely horrible for me to do this).

I am going to think about it more over through the weekend...but right now I am inclined to take it.

Thanks for reading/listening! Good luck with your new job. What kind of unit??

DBev93

Hey DB,

it certainly sounds like $$ is your motivator. My only :twocents: is to say don't make any snap decisions.

Try the antiquated idea of a piece of paper w/ 2 columns on it. One titled Pros. One titled Cons. Who am I to say? Your circumstances are yours.

You are in the incredibly envious position of having time as a luxury to make such a big decision. Good Luck! You will be fine I'm sure.

I'm gonna be working Oncology. And my struggles have been judgements by many telling me it's a horrible place to start, I'm pigeon-holing myself, I won't learn skills, I'll be stuck...

So I found the Oncology forum on allnurses, dug deep into my heart to decide what I felt better doing, and made my decision. I fill out the new hire paperwork this Monday!

P.s. I was scared for the opposite reason than yours. I didn't think I had options. But I did. And you do too. If offers are coming at you now, this soon, this many...think about that too.

Is it the weekend already?:lol2:

:nurse:

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Hi DBev,

Some things to consider... how long do you have to wait between school and getting your license? Alot of places won't let you work untill you have it in hand.

Also find out how soon or likely it'll be that you'll be able to move out of your new position into something else you might prefer within that hospital.

It sounds like this is a wonderful job opportunity. :balloons:

In my own experience I applied at approx 20 places. Interviewed seriously at 3 and took one. Granted it's still not the "perfect" job but I can say that I checked out my options. My advice would be to apply and interview with others. See if that position will hold for you. You have quite a few mos before you actually start working there so why not explore? Then you won't be wondering later even if you do decide to take this job.

danigrl

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Specializes in Licensed Practical Nurse.

less than 1 day. lol!!! hey, i needed that job!!!

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Specializes in Private Duty Nursing : 1 year.

I got a job offer at a teaching hospital and the urine, finger printing,drug test etc will be on Thursday, but i learned today that the starting is soo low. And on thursday thay morning,i'm going to have an interview at another big hospital and i had my interview wih that hospital for my dream job....i really want that job but still gonna wait if i get it or not. I might risk losing the first job offered if i decide to wait some more...i'm worried and anxious what i will do...

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Specializes in Private Duty Nursing : 1 year.

I had my interview yesterday (dream job) in another area in the same hosp i will be interviewing on Thursday. I would love to wait for the result of that interview but dont wanna risk losing a job in a hospital which i'm thinking about going to later...

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