interviews & offers...

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hi all... i think i told you guys how ive been searching & searching? i graduated in june, passed board in august & have been applying like mad since about july. well last week i got 3 calls & set up 3 interviews... heres the rundown, wondering if you all have any input/advice/etc?

the first was yesterday. i got a bad vibe & feel like its possibly sketchy... they offered me the job BEFORE i started my interview, saying in all seriousness, "oh, we could start you today if you wanted to" :eek: (with no orientation) everything they said seemed too good to be true (pay, shift, hours, benefits) and they were aggressive without, IMO, much reason to be. im not talking myself down but im brand new- why would they pursue me so hard right off the bat, before even talking to me? weird? but the main thing that turns me off is that its home care for an extremely easy case & i wouldnt get any experience (interviewers words: "youd basically be hanging out with her, reading her books & taking her for walks)... at this point im not even considering this position. it just didnt feel right. wondering if anyones had an interview like this?

the second was today & i got a very, very good vibe. they genuinely seem to appreciate their staff, have a low turnover rate for RNs. its a SNF with a rehab unit. they pay 22/hr which is about the same as many hospitals in the area. their ratio for RNs is about 26:1 & they have LPNs & CNAs. HR & nsg services seemed very real & i didnt feel like they were BSing me. they also seem to have a very good orientation program for new RNs. id feel comfortable working here, where many of their nurses have 5-10yrs in the facility & seem happy. plus itd be really good for gaining experience, right? it also helps that theyre super close to my house and that i have exp. as an aide working in LTC (MH/MR) & i know im comfortable in that type of setting... so what do you guys think about starting as a nurse LTC?

my third interview is on thursday, with a major hospital system in the area (if you live in pittsburgh/PA you probably can guess who it is) ...it would be a very interesting position (spinal cord rehab) & give me a good opportunity to advance (i eventually want to work ICU) but im not sure if it would be the most conducive place to begin. i know alot of people arent happy working for said system, and although i wouldnt base my decision completely on what other people say, am i going to be happy AND how would it be working with nurses who arent? especially when im just starting out.

im going to let the SNF know by tues, im not sure if ill have an offer from the hospital by then or not but im going to base my decision on my gut reaction. pay isnt as much an issue as feeling comfortable & being around people that will help, not hinder, me as a brand new RN.

so thats whats up... any thoughts/suggestions? thanks! :redbeathe

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Specializes in LTC, Med-SURG,STICU.

I would go to all of the interviews and check all of the places out. You may not get an offer for a job at all of the places that interview you. However, if you do get more than one offer I would go with the one that offers you the best learning opportunities. Jobs are difficult to come by right now and if you have the opportunity to move your career in the direction that you want it to go at this time I say go for it.

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If you get the offer, I'd go with the hospital since you ultimately want to end up in ICU. LTC is not a step in the ICU direction.

I know you said that particular hospital isn't ideal, however, unless the conditions are such that your license would be in jeopardy, I would go with it to get that much coveted acute-care experience.

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I personally would go for the hospital. The exp will carry you into the ICU position you desire. I worked in Oncology Med-Surg and just transferred to the NICU. Two VERY different departments but once you have the hospital exp it is much easier to transefer. I have even had a hospital recruiter say not to work in a SNF as you will lose your skills.

Keep us posted!!! Good luck!!:twocents:

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nurse.

I agree with Jb2...go to all the interviews and check out/investigate each location. I would also add....see if you can SHADOW a nurse for a day BEFORE you make you final decision on any one facility.

Whatever choice you make...congrats on passing your boards and best of luck with your final decision. I am sure you will do well in any environment put before you so make the most of all of your opportunities!!!

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thanks for the input guys!

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