Job Predicament- Need Advice!

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I am in a bit of a situation and need some advice! I'll try to explain it as coherently as possible...(so sorry for the length)

I'm a new grad nurse working in a NICU. I'm blessed in that this is exactly where I wanted to be. The hospital that I am at is a very reputable one- extremely sound system, takes care of their employees, rated as a top health system for it's category. I've moved back home, and though it was an adjustment at first, I've settled in and am content. I love being with my family and it is going to help immensely with paying off loans. However, it was not my #1 choice institution but was the hospital that offered me a job before I got my license...while my 1st choice had no contact with me until after I passed NCLEX. Since I hadn't heard anything from choice #1 (and didn't think I would), I accepted the offer and have been there for about 5 weeks now.

Well, as you probably guessed, choice #1 contacted me for an interview after they could verify my license. I went, just to explore my options. The position is in a NICU as well. The interview went great. It is the largest and most prestigious institution in my state, ranked very high in the nation. The manager said that if I were serious about coming to them (I was honest and told her that I had accepted another job already, which she GREATLY appreciated the honesty...), she would extend an offer to me.

So now I'm unsure of what to do. I realize that I am EXTREMELY blessed in this; please don't think me ungrateful. I was truly not looking for such a situation. I am struggling with the decision to make- to stay where I am, already comfortable and in a "good" position, or to go back to this institution (I had clinicals here- it's in my college town), move back to my college town (which seems odd since I am no longer a college student), accept the added expenses, take longer to pay off loans...

My greatest concern is that if I leave the hospital that I am at right now for another institution, they will mark me as ineligible for rehire and I would never have the opportunity to work for them again. This is scary because 1. they are in my hometown, and 2. they basically control my whole side of the state. I have NOTHING against them....no reason to leave, other than a possibly better job experience. Has anyone had a similar situation? Is it unethical to leave? I also am not on contract...I actually have a 6 month introductory period in which they said I am allowed to leave at any time (or get let go haha). I know that they have already invested in me though and I wonder that even though I am technically allowed to leave, if that comes with some major hard feelings against me.

Another thing, I want to be a neonatal nurse practitioner...and I feel that #1 choice hospital will offer me the best opportunities to learn and prepare me for such a role (as they are the last stop hospital of our state).

I also could wait it out a year and try for hospital #1 again. But life can change so fast that I hesitate to pass over this opportunity so quickly and bank on a future I don't know that I have...

Any advice would be helpful. Actually, ANYTHING would be helpful. My pro's and con's list, family input (who of course want me home haha) and friends input (who of course want me back in the college town haha) just aren't cutting it...

Thanks in advance everyone :)

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

This says it all. You know your current situation. You don't really know what a move will bring. The grass is not always greener, especially when it involves unknowns and added expense.

Congratulations on your position. I wish you well.

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Specializes in Hospice / Psych / RNAC.

You need to go where you want to live. If you give 4 weeks notice there is no reason for them to mark you ineligible for re-hire but all that money they spent on you ... well. Talk to your DON about it and tell her your fears and see what she/he says. In the end you need to get something in writing from the #1 hospital before you commit ... verbal is no longer any good; anything could happen. Get it in writing if you decide to go to #1 before you give notice to #2. I mean if they are serious there should be no problem getting it in writing.

Also, bigger is not always better. It just means more political bull from the higher ups. Changing because it's "possibly" a better experience ... watch out what you wish for.

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

You are a new nurse at that facility, you do not want to burn bridges because although you had clinicals there....working at a facility can be a completly different experience. You may not like it. Besides with experience if you do ever decide to go back they will take an experienced nurse easily. You should have no problems getting a job there. Enjoy your time at home with your parents and save your money!!!! There is a reason why God put you in the position your in now. Congrats on the new job! :yeah:

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

It sounds to me as if your new offer is very appealing to you, particularly because you want to advance your practice and that would be the place to do it.

Your situation is vastly different from someone who takes a position knowing that they will dash at the first opportunity. It sounds as if you are still in orientation, and your contract definitely leaves the door open for this circumstance.

I think you should go for it.

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I think you would have an easier time telling the other employer that you will definitely look for a position in the future but you are happy where you are rather than burn a bridge...that way you can still go over there when you get some experience under your belt and burn NO bridges. Just my 2 cents!

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I am trying to put myself in your shoes and think about what I would do...Since you are already in a great situation, why not give them a year since they did invest so much in you? I imagine that living with your family is easier than living on your own, which gives you the opportunity to really focus on your current job. Really soak it in, learn everything you can. Maybe you can even take a class or two towards your next degree while you have the financial freedom provided by living at home. Then, when the time is right and if it's still what you want, apply again to the other hospital...Why leave a great thing for a potential unknown? The opportunity will still be there in the future if it's meant to be. Good luck!

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Specializes in LTC, AL, Corrections, Home health.

I want to know where you live that there are so many opportunities for new graduates in the NICU??

You just have to look at all of the pros and cons. Remember that turning down a position from option #1 at this time would not leave you ineligible for hire at some point in the future, maybe when you get some of your loans paid down and have a bit of experience/ good and consistant work history under your belt. That is far different than leaving a job that you only just started, as far as how it would look on your resume to other potential employer a few years down the line, if you look for a second job or move elsewhere... just a thought.

Congrats and good luck to you whatever you decide.

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Specializes in none.

I agree with SweetseRN, give this job some time. Don't jump ship. If #1 didn't want you in the first place, then it's their lost. No matter how great they are, they made the mistake of not giving you a job.If you like the work and the money is good, stay with your present employer.

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I would stay where you are until you get your loans paid off then re-evaluate. If you are still interested in the other hospital at that point then reapply. It's much easier to look for another job when you already have one, but who knows, by then you may be happy where you are and not want to leave.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

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I have to agree that you should stay put for now. If they are interested in you now they will likely have interest in you again in the future. It would say a lot to them for you to honor the employer you currently have. There is a very good chance that you will have an opportunity at the #1 hospital in the future. There is also a very good chance that even if you do not get marked as ineligible for rehire, at the very least you will probably create some hard feelings there. You want to make as many networking "friends" as possible and as few enemies as you can.

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I'd stay put. If you want to go back to NP school, then take this time to gain experience where you are, pay off your loans and save up some money for grad school (you won't be able to work full time when you are in the NP program).

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