Need advice... trying to delay a job offer

[NewGradNurse3, BSN, RN]

I'm an RN with almost 1 year of experience, leaving my current hospital and looking for a new job. I applied for jobs at Hospital A (where I REALLY want to work), and Hospital B (my second choice). Hospital A has not called me for an interview, but on their website it says some of my applications are "under review". Also a friend who works at Hospital A said she's pass my name along to her manager.

Interviewed on Thursday at Hospital B, the manager liked me and told me during the interview that he'd offer me a job. It sounds like they are also pretty desperate to staff up the hospital (not because it's a bad place to work but just COVID + the nursing shortage). The HR recruiter texted me on Friday asking me when I'm available to talk (she didn't say why but I assume it's to give me an offer).

I'm trying to figure out if I can delay the process long enough to see if I get an interview at Hospital A.

Would it look really bad/ burn bridges if I texted the recruiter back and said that I could talk on the 31st (10 days from now)? Because of work and other obligations the only day I could talk this coming week is Tuesday the 24th (which doesn't buy me much time), so I'm trying to see if I could push it back to next Tuesday, the 31st. But as a recruiter would you be totally put off if an applicant that you were about to offer a job to asked to talk 11 days from when you reached out?

 

[chare]

I'm not a recruiter, so take this for what it's worth.  If you responded to me that you weren't available for 10 days, I would move on to the next applicant on the list.

And, again take this for what it's worth.  In my opinion, when you are conducting a job search, the only higher priority should be your current job.

Best wishes.

[amoLucia]

Not a recruiter, but I did participate in hiring processes. As such, we all know that applicants are looking and may need processing time. So to need say 2 days, is understandable. But to extensively delay things, it sends the recruiter the message that it's a second (or maybe a third or more) choice for you. You're just biding your time for another offer and you'd just be 'settling' for my job offer.

You would be a risk for me to hire. There would always be the possibility that as another more desirable position came up, you'd be 'the f*rt in the wind' (from the warden in 'Shawshank Redemption). Not worth it. Not when there's other applicants.

And like PP @chare posted, don't risk your current position as you job search.