I have two job offers which I need help in deciding which to take. I'd love to know your opinions. By the way, I just graduated, so this will be my first nursing job.
(Private) Hospital 1: Pay is $24.28/hour - includes 1 year residency position (non-accredited), 2-year contract, about 12 miles away from my home, will be on med-surg, urology/bariatrics, respiratory, or oncology. Probably will be working nights Relocation agreement is $5,000!
(Public and Magnet!) Hospital 2: Pay is $23.07/hour - includes 1 year residency position (nationally accredited!), 1-year contract, about 4 miles away from my home, will be complex-medicine, days, working both sat. and sun. every other weekend. Relocation is only $2,000.
I am drawn towards Hospital 2 for the nationally-accredited residency program and the magnet status, plus it is close to my home, and I've already met the nurse manager and the other nurses and I love the floor and their attitudes!! I am just upset about the decrease in pay. But do you think it is worth it? I am leaning towards yes, it is, but I want to know what you think with your experience.
Take the job you're most likely to be ABLE to stick with. If nights are going to be a challenge and you have a day shift option, take the day shift regardless of pay or a little longer but reasonable distance. Magnet status would be last on the list. Your future career needs a resume with a solid completed experience and strong references.
RULE OF COMPENSATION SINCE FLO WAS A PROBIE --> Employers will NEVER pay more than they have to. When a facility is paying more, it's because no one will work there for less.
You also have to take into account benefits. I work for the government and while government jobs are notorious for paying lower, the benefits are usually excellent. I had a job offer an hour from my house that offered almost two dollars more but when I factored in my current job's health insurance, vacation and sick leave hours, and wonderful pension, I was coming out making far more money at despite a lower base pay.
Yeah the residency thing is meaningless. I went through an "accredited" one too and it was totally bogus. Go with the hospital that make you more excited. Pretty sure we can all tell which one that is.
worked for a hospital trying to get magnet status (the main hospital is magnet) and has all the niceties - lift team, IV team etc etc etc...we're still 5 nurses short on each shift because the unit management is awful. Keep that in mind too....
I also wouldn't worry too much about the magnet status, but I would really lean toward the one with a one-year commitment over two years. I once worked on a floor where getting through my commitment period was a struggle and I couldn't wait to leave. Thankfully it was only for a year.
Bottom line...go where you will be happy. I make less now then my other two jobs but I chose it because I know where I am now makes me happy and it's exactly where I want to be.
Thank you to all who have posted polite, meaningful comments focusing on the main issue here!
I have called in to take job #2, not for the magnet status or the accreditation, as you all have mostly agreed does not mean much, but that it is day shift, i feel i'll get along with the nurse manager and other nurses very well (they said i'd click with them, too), the benefits are good, it's a teaching hospital, and there is a 24/7 lift team. These differences mean a lower salary would be worth it to me.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
Hello,
I have two job offers which I need help in deciding which to take. I'd love to know your opinions. By the way, I just graduated, so this will be my first nursing job.
(Private) Hospital 1: Pay is $24.28/hour - includes 1 year residency position (non-accredited), 2-year contract, about 12 miles away from my home, will be on med-surg, urology/bariatrics, respiratory, or oncology. Probably will be working nights Relocation agreement is $5,000!
(Public and Magnet!) Hospital 2: Pay is $23.07/hour - includes 1 year residency position (nationally accredited!), 1-year contract, about 4 miles away from my home, will be complex-medicine, days, working both sat. and sun. every other weekend. Relocation is only $2,000.
I am drawn towards Hospital 2 for the nationally-accredited residency program and the magnet status, plus it is close to my home, and I've already met the nurse manager and the other nurses and I love the floor and their attitudes!! I am just upset about the decrease in pay. But do you think it is worth it? I am leaning towards yes, it is, but I want to know what you think with your experience.
I'm not sure that "pay cut" is the term you're looking for. There is a dollar an hour difference in pay. The length of the contract is different, which ought not to be much of a factor since you ought to be planning to stay at least two years anyway. I'd say go with your gut.
Based on the OP I would go with #2. I know someone said that no one cares about Magnet, but I have worked in both Magnet and non-Magnet facilities, and I was way happier at the Magnet facility. The nursing culture at that location was just more caring and involved, but I know not everyone wants to be involved (which is okay!).
I think overall #2 sounds like the better choice. Good luck and congratulations on having options!
BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN
3,520 Posts
You have NO job now. Either job you take will be a pay INCREASE. It's simple math.