should I let go of a sure thing

[sillypantsmcgee]

Hospital A's ER offered me an new grad ER internship. This ER is slower it is not a trauma center, a professor of mine called it "more of an urgent care type of ER". I have to accept or decline their offer soon. The pay is good, and I have already completed background and drug screening. If I failed NCLEX ( heaven forbid) I would still be employed.

Hospital B's ER is a trauma center, with higher acuity patients. I acquired experience and friends there during my student nurse externship. I loved it there. I had an interview and it went well. I have received positive feedback from people about it. While I'm sad their pay during internship is half of what Hospital A offers and there is no safety for failing NCLEX, I still think it's a better long term opportunity and it remains my top choice.

HOWEVER I will not know if they are going to offer me an internship until after the deadline for Hospital A's ER.

So basically I would have to decline hospital A's offer before knowing if hospital B is going to make an offer. Should I decline the sure thing?

Thoughts, advice, jokes, anything?

[ED Nurse, RN]

Both will give great experience to a new nurse if you acclimate well to the environment. I work in a large, level one trauma center- the majority of pts I see are not critical by any means and a very small majority are trauma pts. Most ERs are glorified urgent cares thanks to the current state of healthcare.

If you're worried about doing trauma, you won't do trauma as a new nurse- my facility requires a year experience and approval to be in the trauma bay.

Unfortunately I cannot answer this question for you- but in this current job market I would not turn down an offer in an ED if that is where you want to be. Experience is experience, especially as a new nurse when you need to learn basic skills to progress into a more critical spectrum. Good luck.

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

I would take hospital A's offer. Double the pay? Sold. Every ER will have urgent care patients. I don't work in a trauma center and we have plenty of critical patients.

How does staffing and length of orientation compare?

[Itsourchoices]

Definitely agree in looking at pros and cons with staffing and orientation at both hospitals. A great orientation and personal drive is key to success. It sounds like you really want B, because A sounds like the obvious winner. Would it sadden you to work at A for a few years and reevaluate your goals then?

[zephyr9]

Wow Sillypants, I'd SERIOUSLY like to be in your shoes, and I am not just being silly! Congratulations on your dilemma! What did you wind up doing?

[JennaRN,BSN]

Congrats! both sound like great opportunities either way.