Need your advice, please, about new grad job

Nurses New Nurse

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I am a recent new grad and accepted the first job offer I got because I'd heard new jobs were hard to find. I did my senior practicum at this hospital. I know this job will be stressful for me because I don't catch on to things right away and it is a very busy unit. I made very good grades in nursing school but only because I worked very hard. I am scheduled to start in about 3 ½ weeks. I will have to make a 2-year commitment, but I have not signed anything yet.

I recently got an offer from another hospital. It is better pay, low stress and much better benefits. I could stay in training as long as I needed, and would be able to give good care to my patients because nurse to patient ratio is low (I had a clinical rotation there). Only problem is, they won't give me a formal written offer until they finish my background check - it will probably will take at least another month or more, who knows how long.

I am concerned that I will not hear from hospital #2 before I have to start at hospital #1.

What should I do? Should I:

a) just plan to work at hospital #1 and then quit if I get the formal offer from hospital #2?

If I quit during orientation, would I have to put that job down on my resume in the future (if I quit during the first 2 - 4 weeks)? This hospital belongs to a very large healthcare system which is made up of other hospitals in the city where I live. I fear I would be burning bridges pretty badly and would never be able to apply at any of those hospitals in the future.

b) Should I call up the nurse recruiter at hospital #1 and ask her if I can delay my starting date a month or so for personal reasons? I have no idea if they would do that, plus it might sound bad.

c) should I just plan to take the 1st job and stay in it, even if I get the formal job from #2?

I don't want to do anything dishonest or unethical. I can definitely delay working because my husband supports us, but I am scared to rescind my acceptance from hospital #1. I would also hate to have a bad record at a hospital that is a large nurse employer where I live.

Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks.

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Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

Your reasoning is sound. You don't want to risk alienating #1 if you might want to work there someday.

Did #2 make an actual offer or just allude to you working there?

What might work is to ask if you can delay your start at the first place. Then call #2 and have a heart to heart. You really want to work there, but you have another opportunity and you are approaching a deadline. Ask them if they can give you an idea where you stand, and is there any way they could expedite the process so you'd be able to make an informed decision. They might tell you you're one of three...or maybe that you're #1, on the top of the list.

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Specializes in Intermediate care.

As long as your background check is clear you really have nothing to worry about.

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Background checks don't take a month....especially if its clear.

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Specializes in ICU/ER.

You definitely don't blindly go into #1 and then quit-big mistake. In a way you've been answering your own question. High stress environments are readily available for a reason, high turnover and high job dissatisfaction.

DEFINITELY call up #2 and explain your dilemma (indirectly) saying you have another job offer on the table (not that you've accepted) and that you need to know that you definitely have the job. If you do they'll gladly ease your concerns and say you're in after background check. If they've said you got it but just need the background check you're in. The formal offer will come in about a couple weeks if that.

Don't sign a two year commitment. Being new to nursing you have to get your feet wet and see what makes you happy. Everyone's different and the right fit is sometimes hard to come by. Good luck!

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Background checks can be done pretty much overnight.

Do not ask #1 to give you a month to decide. There are new grads lined up leaning on you to get out of the way and let them have that job and the hospital knows it. Nobody likes to feel like they are second choice in case first choice doesn't work out, employers included.

It sounds to me like #2 is still on the fence about you. I would call them, explain the situation and ask if they are able to make you a firm offer with a start date and salary info by the end of the weekend. If the answer is no, they just aren't that into you and you thank them for the opportunity politely and let them know you are accepting another offer at this time.

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Thanks to everyone who has replied so far...I guess I should have explained that job #2 is at the VA hospital and their hiring process can take a long time. I was there last week for my pre-employment physical and the nurse recruiter said they definitely want me (I discussed the situation with her, without giving all the details), and that the rest of the process would probably take another month -- which will take me right to the day I am supposed to start job #1. Even tho VA said they really want me, I won't feel sure I have it until I get that formal offer, so am reluctant to back out of #1, the stressful job.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

If you take job #1 you need to commit to it. If you want to take a chance on job #2, you need to accept the risk of it.

Best of luck.

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If you dont think you will like job number 1, dont do it! It is horrible waking up and dreading going into work every day because you hate it...been there! I agree that talking with the VA and letting them know you situation is a good thing, let them know that you need a for sure answer that as long as everything checks out, you have the job. It will be worth it in the long run to have a job you enjoy :)

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Ahhh man, I would hold out for the VA if possible.. Of course they have a nasty little habit of letting weeks turn into months. Have you started the VetPro process? That is 1 of the major hold-ups in the hiring practice. Hopefully you have already fingerprinted and ordered your official transcripts. Its easily a 30-45 day wait from there. Since you are a new Grad you shouldnt have many places to list for your background (unless you have moved alot). The thing you can do to speed the process is stay on top of your references and make sure they churn and burn whatever is mailed to them.

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Specializes in I'm too new to have a specialty.
Thanks to everyone who has replied so far...I guess I should have explained that job #2 is at the VA hospital and their hiring process can take a long time. I was there last week for my pre-employment physical and the nurse recruiter said they definitely want me (I discussed the situation with her, without giving all the details), and that the rest of the process would probably take another month -- which will take me right to the day I am supposed to start job #1. Even tho VA said they really want me, I won't feel sure I have it until I get that formal offer, so am reluctant to back out of #1, the stressful job.

Okay, very serious now. Do you have history in the military? I was a candidate for multiple Nursing Jobs for the VA. My friend got hired it took a year to get her in? Becareful. Did they offer you the position. IF they offered you the position, and your not just a selected candidate because I have been a selected candidate more times than I have fingers or toes, I never even got to the interview. They hired from within and I was never spoke to. DO NOT pass up number 1 unless you know you have this job with the VA. Do not assume with the VA.

On picking up things slowly, from a person that picks things up the first time...........I will give you my secrets. Write, write, write, if someone shows you something that has 12 steps write em down as the go. I do that, and I have my handy reference all the time. Go home, organize the book and that makes you go over the information more and you remember more. IF you have 2 minutes to spare, go to the computer and just start exploring (you will learn and not have to be shown), go through charts to get an idea, read the policy and procedure book. Do not waste time. IF your teacher has little going on, go with Joe or Mary while they preform whatever procedure they have to do and take your handy book and pen and write down notes. Everything you learn about one day, go home and re-read your nursing books about that topic. Re-read your nursing books before starting about your client population as much and as long as you can. This will all help.

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To Reg.nurse - thanks for your input about the VA. I had an interview with 2 managers, then one month later I got a call from the nurse recruiter, giving me a "tentative offer of employment". When I asked what they meant, she explained that I had to go through all of their checks and processing (Vetpro, fingerprint, send school transcripts, etc. . . ), and their giving me a formal written offer was contingent on all of those things being ok.

My background is clean, and I have great references, but I just don't think I can risk having no job at all by declining job #1 and hoping the VA will come through.

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