1 Job Offer but got to 2nd Round Interview for dream job

[TooProudToMention]

Hi everyone, I have been feeling very conflicted and I was wondering if I could get some advice.

I graduated from nursing school about 7 months ago. I am a New Grad RN. I recently was offered a Peds position at a community hospital and verbally accepted the offer over the phone. I just received notice that my potential hospital orientation start date would be the beginning of February. After I had verbally accepted the Peds position, a few days after I found out I got to the second and final round interview for a Med Surg position for a New Grad Program in a prestigious hospital. This interview is in the end of January.

To be honest, my heart isn't in Peds. My passion is really in adult care. And the Med Surg position is just really like my dream job. I am expected to start the Peds position before I hear back from the Med Surg position. The Med Surg position would notify me pretty much around the time I would start hospital orientation for the Peds position.

Basically, I don't know what to do because I feel it would be a disservice to the Peds position if I heard back from the Med Surg position and was offered the job when I started hospital orientation already. Should I ask if I get my start date pushed back? Should I just wait to see if I even get an offer for Med Surg position? I really don't want to burn any bridges.

I know so many New Grads are struggling to find jobs and I feel horrible that I have this dilemma. I know I am very lucky and blessed to have been given the Peds position, but I know if I don't go through with the interview for the Med Surg position I will always wonder "What if?" What do you all think I should do? Thank you in advance.

[HeartRN13]

Do what is best for you and in your best interest, while maintaining professional courtesy and conduct. If you start the first job, and a better offer comes along after you've already started, take the job you really want. It's your life, your career, and truth be told, the hospital doesn't think about you individually and personally, so don't worry about disservice to them. Be honest, give your professional notification and part ways. It's your life and your career at stake with these decisions, the hospital will find a replacement. Good luck!

[nichefinder]

Just because you verbally accepted, it doesn't mean anything until you sign a paper, and the employer also experience cases where they may offer and receive verbal acceptance from candidate, and several days later the candidate withdraws his/her acceptance; if it happens, just remember call them up and apologize and do that as soon as possible b/c they won't like it if you call them a day before orientation and you back out. I had similar experience, got the better paying job on second interview and had to reverse my acceptance to the first hospital, to which they were understanding; plus that hospital was for-profit (starts with letter "H" in Texas), so thank God I didn't choose there.

Anyways, I was awestruck when you wrote you wanted medsurg... if you had medsurg job before and you still love it, I hand my hats over to you. Good luck and let us know what happens!

[UCAFblue]

I'm a new grad too, and it sounds like I graduated around the same time as you. I don't have any job offers yet, but have found during my job searching/interviews that HeartRN13 is right....the hospitals don't operate with your feelings/best interests in mind...they only worry about what is best for them. So, I agree that you should do what is best for you, while also being professional about it of course. I say continue on with the peds position like you aren't going to get the med/surg job. Then, if you do get your dream job, just let the other hospital know right away. There are enough new grads out there without jobs to where they will easily find a replacement, and I'm sure they are used to things like that happening.

I think you have to go with trying for what will make you the happiest.