Kind of torn between two jobs.

Nurses Job Hunt

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I am a recent LPN grad and have only been licensed for one month. The job hunting process has been pretty difficult. A month ago I went for an interview at my job of choice. I have called back every week since trying to get an update. While waiting to hear back I of course continued to Job Search. This past week I got offered a job, on the spot at another facility that I am not particularly fond of. I was a bit thrown off considering the DON didn't ask me any questions in the interview and did a whole lot of explaining the position and then offered me the job. I am a brand new nurse and she didn't ask me not one question aside from are you interested in a position. I am not sure how to feel about that. I am kind of nervous because clearly they are just hiring anyone. YIKES.

Any who, the next day I was called back from my choice job and asked to come in for a second interview. I have an interview this Friday but start orientation for the job I am not fond of next Tuesday!

I am nervous that I will be offered my job of choice. (That would include: 36 hours/FT, benefits, tuition reimbursement). The job I am not fond of offered me 24 hrs/PT no benefits but with the possibility of benefits/FT in the future. If I am offered the other job I will most likely have started orientation at the job I am not fond of. Would it be unprofessional to tell them I am no longer interested in the position, once I have started orientation. That is if I do get offered the other job at my job of choice. Has anyone ever left a job during orientation?

Specializes in hospice.

If you do get offered the preferred job, maybe say something like, "I've been offered a full time benefited position, and while I appreciate the opportunity you offered me, I can't afford to turn that down."

Your concerns about the seeming lack of any evaluation during the interview is well-placed. That would worry me too.

Specializes in Cardiac, Home Health, Primary Care.

I have seen several nurses leave jobs during orientation. While I don't think it's very professional I can see the dilemma when you get an offer for an ideal position. Is there any way to push back your start date on the other job? Just a thought. Or honesty is often best if it's give with taste.

Either way if the facility you're starting with now is one you may want to go to in the future you've got a big conundrum.

Good luck!! Hope it all works out the way you want!

Specializes in retired LTC.
If you do get offered the preferred job, maybe say something like, "I've been offered a full time benefited position, and while I appreciate the opportunity you offered me, I can't afford to turn that down."

Your concerns about the seeming lack of any evaluation during the interview is well-placed. That would worry me too.

Seems like an EXCELLENT way how to graciously bow out of the less desirable job.

Just want to say that I have been offered jobs on the spot too. Sometimes it DOES work out. Just as a prospective employee can get a pro or con gut feeling about a job offer, so too can an EMPLOYER get a feel for an employee, 'good' or not.

Specializes in hospice.

Keep us posted Maddie!

@duskyjewel Thank you for the advice! :) I had my 2nd interview today at the preferred job and was offered the job! So I will be most likely contacting my other job and telling them exactly what you said. I am a bit worried about burning a bridge though. "/

@anh06005 I did take your advice and pushed the orientation date out at the less desirable job and actually didn't even need to since I was offered the preferred job today!! YAY!

@amoLucia Thank you for your response. I am sure it sometimes does work out when you get hired on the spot. But I am a brand new nurse and the interviewer didn't ask me any questions at all! Not one question. Just explained the position and the first question after, "How are you?" was "Would you be able to start orientation Sept 16?" It just scared me. All my other interviews they wanted to know so much about me before investing their time in me and this interview kind of just threw me off. Left me with an unsettled feeling. "/

Specializes in Cardiac, Home Health, Primary Care.

Congrats!! Things usually work out some way or another

Specializes in hospice.

Yay! Good luck!

Thank you again :)

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