Input needed!

[danarooo, BSN, RN]

Ok. I am a newer grad who has done only seasonal flu shot work since graduation in 2011 because I've had a heck of a time finding a job.

So, after what feels like forever I get two interviews this week. Interview A was at a medispa where I will be doing multiple treatments on patients such as lasers hair removal, laser skin resurfacing for tattoos and stretch marks, cellulite treatments and things of this nature. The only thing I won't due is injectible fillers since the doc does that. I would never work nights or Sundays/Holidays and the training is long and concentrated. The head nurse and GM which is also an RN are very adament about using proper nursing practice and paying attention to contraindications for procedures (i.e. meds, excessive tanning etc...) and both said they don't hesitate to decline treating patients when it's not safe. So, my concern for this job is that I am scared I'll lose those valuable nursing skills such as IV's etc...and won't ever be able to go to a hospital later if I choose.

Now, I had a second interview (interview B) at a very large regional jail. Their healthcare for inmates is privatized. The experience would be great, IV's, meds, wound care, lots of patients who I'll need to detox, they even do EKG training which I never was good at in school. My concern is that it's nights and yes I know I have to be flexible as a new grad but between the two days with people who WANT to be there and one patient at a time sounds pretty nice!

I would love to do the medispa, I have the 2nd interview with them soon by the medical director so it's not a sure thing but I am definitely in the running. When I interviewed at the jail they offered me the job on the spot, which really stunned me. I was not expecting that at all. I'm not sure if it was because correctional nursing may be a bit harder to staff and thats why I got an offer after a very short interview or what. They didn't ask me a ton of questions about myself or previous work history either, more explaining about their job actually. The training would be about a month and they assured me they would get me all trained up.

I don't need many benefits my husbands job provides the best so no biggie there and I know in my state pay is low for RN's. I was so flustered at the immediate offer at the jail that I forgot to ask about pay (I know dumb). I called the recruiter that set up the interview to ask what the pay was, he is getting with the hiring manager who interviwed me since it's up to him what he'd like to offer for pay. I told them I wanted to think about it, I want to see how my upcoming 2nd interview at the spa goes. The jail told me not to wait too long they Have to fill that position.

I don't want to blow an opportunity, but I want to be happy and not stressing really hard all the time. Not sure which to take honestly. Good hours but not much nursking skill other than assessment or horrible hours and learn a ton. If I take the medispa position, at some point later will I be able to get into another area of nursing if I wanted or will I be just stuck?

[bridgetclare]

Hey there, I have always been of the mind that nurses need to start acute and then if they want a rest later on that's fine too. But I would worry your training would be wasted at medispa. It just depends what you want out of your nursing and where you see yourself going.

[Tarabara]

I'm a newer grad myself so I dont have lots of experience to base my opinion on but for what its worth I personally think the jail position might be better. You'd get more experience thats useful to other areas, and while it may be a tougher population to work with you'll definitely learn valuable skills for working with all kinds of people. Some of my class went to jails during our community health rotation and most of them were actually surprise that they really enjoyed it. Either way you chose, I hope it works out for you, good luck! :)

[Ruas61, BSN, RN]

Correctional nursing can be really stressful. Maybe you should check out their speciality forum.

[danarooo, BSN, RN]

Thanks for the input. Last night I did my option weighing and decided to give the correctional nurse job a try, however this morning first thing I was informed it was already filled. I did not know enough about privatized correctional nursing to know that if you qualify for the job they give it to you on the spot. I've never come across that in my experience in being interviewed before. It would have been a great learning experience but at the same time if ALL the positions were filled AFTER my 2pm interview then I guess they just needed bodies who "qualified". I also wasn't given enough info in the interview either and did not know it was this companies first contract with this place and that they were in a hurry to staff the facility.

I feel like the Medispa gave me a lot of interview time, information and were very thorough - they grilled me! It seemed much more important to them to get the right person than the jail did. The jail was a wham bam want the job interview that took maybe 20 minutes!

So for now I still have another interview and the place is nice, people seemed nice and the hours are great. I could really get into esthetic nursing I think. It really interests me to be honest but the loss of skills does still bother me though.

This job hunting and trying to find the right fit really sucks!