My Dilemma

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First with a quick bio. I'm a 34 y/o male new grad of a AN program in Ohio. I graduated with a 3.59 gpa, was awarded a college student in involvement award and a nurse program excellence in clinical practice award, founding member and treasurer of the student nurse association, an organization that brought the pinning ceremony back to the college. A tradition that has long since been gone from there. Needless to say I worked really hard in my program and that hard work got me noticed by a manager of a local hospital.

So my problem is this. I was offered a job here that I turned down because i was under the impression that I was getting a job in out of state, but when that fell through I called back explained the situation and was given the job in Ohio. Prior to getting the Ohio offer I scheduled an interview for a New grad residency out of state that I would still like to interview for. That program starts Feb 25 2013 where as the job here begins Dec. 3.

What I would like input on is. I feel a moral obligation to work the ohio since they were so willing to hire me and would feel guilty working from Dec to Feb and quitting ( I am not a job hopper my shortest employment was 3 years.) BUt I also don't want to miss out on a excellent opportunity in a part of the country I want to live in.

Is it wrong to leave so quickly?

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Specializes in Psych, Informatics, Biostatistics.

My advice is to stay in Ohio, at least for 6-9 months. I don't think you would regret it.

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My advice is also to stay in Ohio. After all, the Ohio job gave you back the offer that you originally rescinded. I don't suggest burning any bridges before you start your RN career. Is the OHio job also a Nurse Residency program? If you did very well in your RN program independently, you will likely not need a residency program.

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Well... I am a favor of the internship/residency style programs for new grads. Because of how comprehensive orientation can be that way. There are a lot of things that are part of working as an RN that cannot be taught in nursing school. I did very well in college, passed boards well, moved out of state for a job, and hated it. Why? Because even without completing onboarding I was doing better than the staff nurses assigned to precept me. Part of it was the culture on that unit, we had some old nurses that basically were angry and mean cause they could be, told me to be happy with 6 weeks of orientation on a specialty med/surg unit and move along... But not all RN residency programs are created equally...

I can't tell you what to do. I would lean towards taking the job that was offered because it's an offer whereas the residency programs are super competitive. One I interviewed for as a new grad got 500+ applications for the specialty I wanted alone, not considering the other specialties... You have to do what makes you happy though, I'd rather work short staffed by a person than work with a major debby downer because they don't like work and don't want to be there. You could take the job in OH, still interview for the job in another state and see what happens and cross that bridge when you get to it. It's possible your potential coworkers where you've been offered a job will be unbearable, but they may be the best thing ever. You may get an interview and/or offer out of the residency program, then again you might not. There are a lot of variables (unfortunately). It might be easier to get a job at the hospital of your choice/city of your choice and move once you have 9-12 mos of nursing experience...it's usually a little less competitive to apply to a more generic staff RN position than the new grad RN positions.

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If you're going to start the job in Ohio and go through orientation you should stick with it for a while. However, most hospitals have a probationary period within the first 90 days where if either you or the employer is not happy you can leave without any repercussions. Just consider before jumping ship that the manager may be leary of hiring you back in the future should you decide the new area you'll be living in isn't as great as you thought and you want to come home. The experience you will be getting now in Ohio will also create opportunities anywhere you want to go as well-not just the new grad program. Good luck!

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Thanks for all the input everyone. This has been the hardest decision ive had to make. I think I will at least interview because I'll never know if I don't go. Bad thing is both Ohio and fayetteville are second choices for where I want to live but I can't get on at the hospital I want. Fayetteville is just a lot closer to the place I consider home

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