In a New Grad Program seeking to apply for another

Nurses New Nurse

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Hi,

I'm new to this forum and this is my first post.

I'm one of them that was lucky enough to be hired into a New RN Grad Program two months ago. But the problem is that the hospital is 30 plus miles away from my house. I noticed that some local hospitals close to my house are now taking applications for their New Grad Programs. Would it be appropriate to apply to another New Grad Program when I'm already in one? And do I have to let them know that I'm currently in a New Grad Program? I would greatly appreciate any advice.

Thanks.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Personally I wouldn't but then again I don't think 30 miles away is a big deal for a decent job.

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Specializes in ICU & Med/Surg.

I wouldn't do that. Don't burn your bridges, and forget how lucky you are. I graduated a year ago and some people from my class are still job hunting. Think about it. 30 minutes? That's nothing. :)

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

If you do decide to apply ... be sure you have a darn good answer to the question, "Why do you want to leave your current job?" because you will most likely be asked that question. And you will not want the answer to appear trivial ... but you will also not want to appear to be someone who "can't handle" the first job.

Your early exit from your 1st program will look bad. It will make the 2nd potential employer wonder what is wrong with you that you are leaving your current job ... and whether or not you have so little sense of committment that you think nothing of taking their education and leaving ... and are you really going to worth the investment. In other words, it's going to raise some serious concerns and you better be prepared to address those -- and be prepared to stick it out at the 2nd employer's place, because the 1st employer is not going to take you back if it doesn't work out at place #2.

I'd recommend against it unless you are miserable where you currently are ... and are 100% sure you will be happy and succesful at place #2. Even then, such a move is questionable.

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Specializes in extern in ER.

Lariz-

I understand the perdicament you are in. I learned not to share too much of my situation in these posts because a lot of people have opinions-like in life. :p But in this situation, I would review if your current new grad position allows you to leave without any consequences, etc. Some programs have it spelled out when you apply. If not, hopefully you are able to leave without burning bridges, which is very possible if your words are right.

Think about what works best for you right now in your life.

I wish you the best of luck.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
Lariz-

. I learned not to share too much of my situation in these posts because a lot of people have opinions-like in life. :p But in this situation, I would...

So why in the world would the OP post something on a public forum if he/she didn't want opinions? Then you add your opinion to this thread anyway. :confused: To me the beauty of a discussion board is the variety of opinions and insight you can get even if it isn't what you hoped for or expected. I try to keep an open mind and take the time to examine what might cause me to be more prickly to some posts or posters and most often it is about me, not them.

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Specializes in extern in ER.

I should clarify. Many people provide negative opinions without anything to back it up. Constructive criticism is more positive.

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I hate to say it but I think if and when the market opens back up and people start hiring again, there's going to be lots of places that need nurses because people are going to start moving back closer to where they live. I cant count how many times I have heard people say that they are going to leave their current jobs as soon as another becomes available. I have a few classmates that got jobs in texas and they cant wait to get back to california.

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Thanks for all the replies :). I know 30 miles isn't much but LA traffic is bad. Thanks, again for all your input.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

IMO, it may be worth sucking up driving 30 miles in LA traffic to stay at the first job for that magic year. As others have mentioned, it's not the best looking thing on your resume and with all the new grads out there, you almost certainly will not get job #1 back because they'll have no problems filling it.

Also, if you have that year's experience (which as a new grad is very hard to get lately), you'll be able to apply for a wider range of Nursing Jobs...including ones at that hospital near the house. I know, communting can be lousy...but think about all the great books you can catch up on in the car via audio books :)

Best of luck whatever you decide!

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Thanks for all the replies :). I know 30 miles isn't much but LA traffic is bad. Thanks, again for all your input.

You could always apply-- you may or may not get hired.. also, be careful about burning bridges. I wouldn't tell the new place you are already working-- they will think your a job hopper and that you will leave them as well. JMO

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Specializes in Neurosurgery.

Hello Lariz,

First of all congratulations for being accepted to an RN-Residency program two months ago.

If driving 30 miles (60 mi round trip) will be very challenging for you and you haven't started the residency program yet and has plans to apply to another new grad program closer to your residence, if I may suggest to you a few options:

1.) Accept the offer because that's once in a lifetime offer from hospital A and that may not come around. Stick it out and work at that hospital for at least 1 year from the date the RN residency is over. Transfer out to hospital B after 1-2 years.

I have been driving 24 miles round trip for the last 13 years but because I love the hospital (and all it's benefits and etc...), I don't mind the drive at all. Or,

2.) Decline the acceptance to hospital A. Therefore, you can give that spot to another qualified candidate.

Once you accepted that position and decides to transfer to another program, not only that it's wasted resources $$$$ on the hospital A's part, you have also wasted that spot that could have been offered to another qualified candidate.

3.) If you feel that you truly want to work at hospital B, then wait when the application process opens up. BUT, You will be taking a risk in getting accepted or not. At least, you will not waste hospital's A resource and will not take up a space that can be taken whole-heartedly by another qualified candidate.

I hope I have given you some objective rationale behind all of our suggestions. Thank you and good luck with your decision.

Best regards.

Sincerely

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