Major Dilemma

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Okay, requesting some honest opinions here.

I graduated in May with my BSN. At the end of March, one of the major hospital systems here had a hiring event. I was offered a part time, day shift position on an adult Ortho Med-Surg unit. Not a bad deal at all. I accepted the offer, but don't start orientation until June 15th.

Here's my dilemma...my heart is in school nursing. Really. There were no openings when I was looking for jobs so I figured okay, I'll work some Med Surg and maybe next year something will open. Well, there were just three openings for school health nurses in my county (should be noted the hospital job is an hour away).

The school health nurse jobs close on the 12th. No chance of an interview before the 15th. No guarantee I would GET the school health job if I apply. But a decent chance. So my question is, should I withdraw my hospital job acceptance and apply for the school nurse position with no guarantee of getting it, or apply for the school nurse position and still attend the hospital orientation with the chance of *gulp* quitting during orientation? I just don't know.

I have a strong work ethic (thank you Army career!) and the idea of quitting something so soon after starting makes me sick to my stomach. But I would MUCH rather be a school health nurse if given the option.

Advice?

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Specializes in MICU, SICU, CICU.

Absolutely apply and interview for the School Nurse position on 6/12.

School doesn't start until August and at that time you can change to per diem status at the hospital and work there during breaks and holidays.

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Agreed. If you're heart is in school nursing, you kind of answered your own question. Apply for the job and then go PRN at the position you were hired for now if you get the school gig.

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Thank you both. I honestly didn't think about PRN for the hospital job...I think that's the route I'll try.

It's the guilt that's getting me! Even though I KNOW in my heart we are all replaceable and they (the hospital) really won't give a hoot what I do as there will always be someone else to take my place. Job loyalty and I haven't even started yet!

But, my angst doesn't matter yet unless I'm offered the school nurse position...I'll be dropping off my application tomorrow...wish me luck!

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

I dunno. I think it would be hard to be a school nurse with no nursing experience. You are on your own and it is hard to develop nursing judgement that way. Just a thought.

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

I wouldn't withdraw a sure thing for a crapshoot, just my opinion! You've GOT the med surg job, you don't even have an application completed for the school job. Know what I mean?

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

I also don't think you would get the school nurse job without any nursing experience.

Keep in mind too, that facilities might not have available PRN jobs when you want to switch from non-PRN to PRN. The positions have to have been approved.

I'm all for going with your heart. Just keep in mind the realistic...

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

In my part of the country, all school nurse positions require experience with the patient population that they will be serving. There would be zero chance of landing one without that experience - and less than zero for a new grad.

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

I hear you say "it would make you sick to your stomach" to quit during Orientation at the hospital. Your body is talking to you.

As you decide, remember "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush" You are just responding naturally to the chance of landing your dream job...but it is just a chance, and inside I think you already know what you are going to do (that's why you're asking, maybe we'll talk you into it..or out of it?)

There WILL be other opportunities for you in the future and you'll be more marketable with some experience under your belt.

Best wishes.

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Thank you all. I DID go ahead and drop off my application today. But, thinking over it more, I decided that if they do indeed call me, I may inquire about a substitute nurse position instead if available. That way, I can continue gaining experience at the hospital but would be able to fill in at the schools when needed since my hospital gig is part-time. Wishful thinking for the best of both worlds? Maybe. But you never know unless you ask, right?

Where I am at the school nurse position requires one year of experience but a BSN can "sub" for that experience.

I do have some experience. Not nursing specific, but I was military healthcare for 20 years. I've had to manage clinics, staff and patients. I think I would be great at working independently and making decisions, but could definitely use some assessment/implementation time in the hospital.

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

In Massachusetts, you have to be certified to be a school nurse so I don't think you'd get hired with so little experience, but stranger things have happened.

PS. If this is a "major dilemma" in your life, consider yourself very lucky.

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