Job Offer During Capstone

[yesrun, MSN, RN]

Hey all,

So here's my situation, starting with some background about what I want:

I take the NCLEX (and hopefully pass) in June, and will officially graduate in August (DEMN program). I would like to pursue CRNA school in the future, which means I would like to get into an ICU pretty soon after graduation. My capstone is on a stepdown unit which I happen to love and would be more than happy to start my career there before moving to an ICU.

So here's the dilemma. The manager pulled me aside yesterday and told me that they would be willing to hold a position for me if I was interested. I was psyched! The only problem is that the only position they have available to hold is per diem...

Now the thing is I absolutely love this hospital. It's walking distance from home, has a great CVICU that I would love to transition to, the people there are great, etc. The problem is I have $60,000+ in student loans, a mortgage, two car payments, and I will be responsible for providing benefits like health insurance to my wife and I. I need a full time job, but I also don't want to pass up a sure thing, especially since the sure thing is at the place I love. I know full time opportunities at this hospital could present themselves after I start per diem and I would have an advantage to attain those positions, but that's not guaranteed to happen.

I want to take this job, but I don't know if I should. I don't want to burn bridges saying no, but I don't wan to pass up a sure opportunity. I know I could apply for full time positions elsewhere, but who's to say I'll even get them?

WHAT DO I DO?

I know none of you can give me the perfect answer - I'm really just looking for a little advice from outside people. Maybe some of you have gone through something similar. Thanks for any help you can give!

A

[mindofmidwifery, ADN]

I would say that I would absolutely love to work on their unit (express your enthusiasm) however, due to financial reasons you need to obtain a full time position once you graduate. It is a valid reason that won't cause any burned bridges. Ask if you can follow-up closer to graduation to find out if they have a full-time position open then.

[JKL33]

Hello -

You need way more information, and if they're interested in you enough to have pulled you aside, there is probably at least a little more they can share. You need info regarding the length of time you would need to remain on per diem status - for example, will s/he merely need to hold it as a PD position, but has knowledge that very soon - perhaps by the time you are licensed, there will actually be a FT position available?

Would you orient FT and then assume the PD position, or do they just want you on their PD roster with basically no real orientation? [I would highly doubt the latter, but never make assumptions...]

Find out technicalities like that. Just ask the individual if they are able to explain any more about how this would look/what it means.

You need to know these things. ?

If they are expecting you to hire in on PD status, receive a typical PD orientation (short) - that is a big fat humongous "NO," as a new grad. It's a good way to miss out on formal/thorough orientation and then make it down the road far enough that now you're considered somewhat "experienced" and therefore don't deserve any further training. It is such a not-ideal way to start your career. Please don't consider it.

(By the way, another technicality: Someone telling you they can hold a PD position for you does not meet the definition of sure thing. ?)

Get more info. Try to ask in an open-ended way so that they aren't giving you piecemeal info based on whatever limited questions you ask.

Come back and tell us what you find out and we can give better advice.

??

[JKL33]

PS - I sincerely hope this isn't a matter of them hoping to capitalize on the fact that you've done the Capstone on this unit so they somehow wouldn't need to provide a full/proper orientation...the possibility concerns me a little.

Practically (not personally!) speaking, you are not prepared to work PD out of the gate based solely on the idea that you will have completed your Capstone there. Just FYI. ? I do sincerely hope for your sake that isn't what they're thinking.

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

Before you say yes or no you need to find out exactly what their idea of per diem is. Are their a certain number of hours you need to pick up to remain on the casual/per diem list? Are there shift requirements? For instance would you have to work a certain number of weekend shifts in a specific time span? Do they require that some Holidays be picked up?

If you are still interested after getting your questions answered then you need to find out things like pay scale. Generally per diem positions are not benefit eligible so they have a higher wage. If you could work in some prn hours around a primary full time job it might be well worth your time.

Last questions you'll want answered. Would you still receive the same full time orientation as the regular full time employees? Is the position float pool so you could end up with hours throughout the hospital or would you be limited to that floor only? Would you be eligible to transition into a full time position as soon as one became available or would you be locked into a per diem position for a period of time before you can start applying to full time openings?

Lots to think about but it could be a great foot in the door opportunity for a facility you'd really like to work for. Of course that would probably result in you finding another job as your primary full time position since you need that full time employment. This could put you in a very difficult spot. What happens if you accept the per diem opening as a secondary job and then a full time position opens there when you are already committed elsewhere?