I'm down to the wire. I have to make a decision, because I am supposed to start as a new grad in the ICU where I've worked since May as a tech on TUESDAY! It was difficult to secure the position in the ICU- the two charge RN's (NOC shift) had expressed to the NM of the unit that they didn't want "another new grad" hired, but after the NM spoke to the DON, she "vetoed" the wishes of the charges, and hired me anyway. So, going in to this job, I'm already feeling like I'm not being welcomed and am worried about starting my career a leg down. The NM promised me that she would "monitor the situation" regarding the attitudes of the night RN's..
Now- the other job is one I really didn't consider until now. I think I was just trying to stay where I knew what I was getting into- almost like the devil I knew was better than the devil I didn't, ya know? I know the docs, the p & p's, where things are, how to locate stuff, am reasonably familiar with the computer charting, etc etc. However, after graduation and having the last few weeks off to think about my options, I decided to shadow an RN at a teaching facility, it's an inner city hospital, a university hospital. The minute I walked onto the floor, I felt a big sigh of relief. The staff welcomed me, they asked about me, they were friendly and I could just sense and see that they are a TEAM. They work together, they laugh, they help each other every step of the way. It's a step-down PCU, so it's still got the critical care aspect that I love.
The only real problem is money. The ICU job offers a weekend diff, plus NOC shift diff. The base pay is .60 an hour higher. The teaching hospital offers only an NOC diff, which only kicks in for the last 8 hrs of the shift. Overall, it's about a $2K difference annually between the two jobs.
I believe my mental health and emotional happiness is important. But, obviously, money does factor in.
