Job Predicament- Need Advice!

[ernbot]

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 :)

[vanburbian]

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!

I totally agree with this.

And, just to add my 2 cents..

What sort of manager thinks it's OK to walk out on a current position after 5 weeks when they know the expense that goes into hiring you and those 5 weeks, then needing to replace you?

Not so sure I'd want to work for that person, to be honest.

[dudette10, MSN, RN]

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.

Jolie, you read my mind. Perfect reply.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

stay where you are for at least a year, preferably two. the other institution will still be there.

[carolmaccas66, BSN, RN]

I don't understand why you think the other institution would mark you as ineligible for re-hire?

Sweetie, once you get experience where you are ANYBODY will hire you, especially a facility with the same NICU.

I suppose you could look at travel costs as well, is the new place closer to home? Are you staying at home even if u take the new job? Probly best if u stay where u are, you have a job and are being trained so stick it out for 12 months, then you can look at other options. You said the other manager was OK with you being upfront, so she can wait for you for 12 months.