I Don't Know What To Do!!!

[nore2526]

I'm really confused as to what to do next. I recently got my LPN lisence and applied at a local hospital where I did most of my clinicals. The problem is that after waiting over two weeks after I applied to the hospital and giving up hope that they were going to call, I went and applied at a local nursing home and was hired on the spot. The DON at the nursing home is very nice and the people look very friendly. I'm also getting paid more than I would be making at the hospital. My dilemma comes right after I get in my car after just getting a job, I see that I had a missed call. I checked my messages and as luck may have it, the hospital called and wanted to interview me. Now I don't know what to do. I have been thinking about this all day. I told the DON that I was going to start tomorrow, 2nd shift; however I would honestly rather work at the hospital because I'm eager to learn and I know that at the nursing home I won't be learning very much. The experience I would receive at the hospital is priceless. My wife is excited I got a job and we can pay down some of our bills and so am I, but now I'm thinking I'm going to call the hospital and go on the interview. I just don't know whether I should go to work at the nursing home or not. The truth is that I still don't know if I'll get the job at the hospital. But than what happens if I do get the job at the hospital, I will feel really bad because I waisted the DON's time and the nurses time at the nursing home. It would be a lot easier to tell the DON before I start orientation tomorrow that I can't take the job, but what will I do if the hospital does not hire me after the interview. I'm so confused, I know I will be busier at the hospital and getting paid less, but I want to learn as much as possible. I want to feel like a competent nurse. Please help. Any advice???

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

You don't want to burn any bridges, and you don't want to settle for a job you really don't want. I think whatever you do with the NH job, you owe it to yourself to interview with the hospital because that is what you really want to do and you'll regret it every time you have a bad day at the NH.

Hospitals are notoriously slow in their in hiring, but I hope that they weren't really hoping for an RN, as a lot of hospitals don't like hiring new grad LPNs, and then "settled" on interviewing you. Just a thought, but whatever gets you in the door so you can prove yourself is a good thing.

[Corvette Guy]

You don't want to burn any bridges, and you don't want to settle for a job you really don't want. I think whatever you do with the NH job, you owe it to yourself to interview with the hospital because that is what you really want to do and you'll regret it every time you have a bad day at the NH.

Hospitals are notoriously slow in their in hiring, but I hope that they weren't really hoping for an RN, as a lot of hospitals don't like hiring new grad LPNs, and then "settled" on interviewing you. Just a thought, but whatever gets you in the door so you can prove yourself is a good thing.

Excellent advice! Since you have been hired for the 2nd shift, you can easily do the hospital interview while meeting your new hire obligation. Be honest at the interview regards to recently accepted NH position. Yet, express that you would prefer the hospital experience if given the opportunity. The hospital may be very interested in you since obviously the NH took enough interest enough to hire you.

Burn bridges? You owe your new employer 2 weeks notice if you decide to accept an offer from the hospital and nothing more. Honest communication is what you owe, then how others accept such is not up to you, IMHO.

Good luck!

[nore2526]

Thanks for the advice. You guys are absolutely right. I have to do whats right for me, which is why I called the Hospital back and got an interview for Tuesday at 1pm. If I get hired, I wouldn't mind giving the nursing home two weeks notice or even working for them on my days off at the hospital, however I would really doubt that they would want two weeks notice since I'm a new nurse and just starting out orientation. I'm really excited to be starting out my nursing career. I'll keep you guys posted as to what happens.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Awesome!