Need advice on 5 year plan

There is more to consider:

If you switch employers how will your benefits be? How will they pay you? Will take a cut or not? How is the overall climate?

I had many jobs and the main problem for me was that each time you are "new" you need to start to accrue hours again, you may not qualify for this or that for a while and so on. Having said that - I also build a huge foundation with a very diverse work experience by working in different places and positions, which ultimately benefits me now! I worked in teaching hospitals and enjoyed that very much though the work load and stress was high - I saw many interesting things...I worked in the community and now I am in a community hospital.

Depending on your local market, BSN may be the preferred degree. In my area that has been the case for years because the market is saturated and employers can afford to be somewhat "picky" unless you work in a specialty that really needs nurses.

It sounds that you feel rejected by the other place and have some conflicting emotions. If you think that the other place will give you better chances or opportunities apply and see what comes out of it.

The grass is not always greener though - once I got a position in one of the "best hospitals ever" and was really thrilled about it. Since everybody seems to want to be working for them (looks good on resume ...) they pay less others in the area (because it is a honor to work for them), no onsite parking so the commute was long, and the actual climate was horrible. I had thought people would be "nice" or at least "professional" but it was "everybody fend for themselves" and new nurses had to proof themselves worthy in the weirdest way. Somebody called me with a different offer while I was working and I left because I was not happy there. I am somebody who fits in easily and usually does not have any problems so it was a surprise.

I like some of the valid points you make as in starting all over to accrue time. I never really thought about that too much. Also I Know the benefits is a lot better at the bigger hospital and they pay a little bit more. The benefits now at the community hospital I'm at now seems to be really crappy from what I hear from my co workers. I'm still under my parents medical insurance and pay for dental myself but I know our hospital has starting charging folks for things such as if they smoke or are obese, you will need to pay extra from each check which I think is absolutely crazy. I have lots to think about!

There's an old saying, don't cut off your nose to spite your face. You are only limiting yourself by holding onto a resentment over rejection that was never personal. They want BSN prepared nurses and you didn't meet their entry level criteria.

You have the perspective now of having worked there plus contacts whom you can seek out for info on the working conditions for the RNs, and something to compare it to. That's an advantage you didn't have before.

Good luck!!