Need help with extremely hard decision about where to work

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Hi Nurse Beth,

I did my senior practicum at Seattle Children's Hospital in their ICU and have always wanted to work in the ICU either pediatric or adults. My criteria for finding a job post-grad was that it was a magnet hospital, a teaching hospital, and one that would be in the ICU or lead me to the ICU.

I also had the desire to move out of state for the adventure while choosing a hospital that would give me strong professional growth. Postgrad I was guaranteed at Seattle Children's Hospital in the ICU and I was keeping that job as a backup plan if things didn't work out but that fell through because they froze new hires in the ICU and medical floors and I applied everywhere with no luck because of COVID.

I have been applying everywhere with no luck until I got 2 really good job offers:

1. Seattle Children's Hospital OR Nurse (Consortium program)

Pros: I love the culture there everyone is so nice and I know it would be a safe learning environment and I know I would love it, they pay higher at $35 an hour, although not within the top 10 children's hospital they were named top ten a few years ago, if don't like it I can go to another floor after a year, I would save more money because I could live with my parents and I know the area, day shift.

Cons: Never have thought about being a circulating nurse so I don't know if I would like it, I didn't want to stay in Washington so this would have me stay at least here for 2 years for a minimum.

2. Johns Hopkins University in the Progressive care unit (nurse residency program) 

Pros: Progressive care unit is one step down from an ICU, I feel like career-wise this job is what I was looking for, I could go anywhere once in the system if I wanted, top 3rd hospital in the US.

Cons: Pays lower about $30 an hour, I would have to move to a state that I have would particularly be excited to move to, rotating shifts, I don't know the people/culture but I can assume its good because it's magnet/top hospital. I am having an extremely hard time choosing and I want some guidance. I have been asking people I know but I'm getting split responses.

Dear Wants Guidance,

Johns Hopkins v  Seattle Children's Hospital: They are both on Best Hospital and Honor Roll lists, but Johns Hopkins is a teaching hospital, nationally ranked in the number 3 spot, just below Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic hospitals. It's an amazing opportunity for a new grad nurse.

Pay: Johns Hopkins: $30.00/hr v Seattle Children's Hospital: $35.00/hr. Five dollars per hour difference is not enough to tip the vote. Be sure to look at the whole compensation package, including benefits. 

Circulating nurse v Stepdown: Give a lot of thought before going into an operative area. It's a highly specialized role, best suited to nurses who are sure that it's what they want. You will have at least a 6 month training period. The skillset for a circulating nurse is quite different than the skill set needed for floors/ICU.  Narrowing your specialty right off the bat can limit your options and make you less marketable if you leave surgery.

Rotating shifts are definitely not ideal, but hopefully, they will be time-limited. 

You have been offered a job in a prestigious organization that ticks all your boxes of magnet hospital, teaching hospital, ICU career path, moving out of state, and providing strong professional growth.

So I am wondering what is making this such an extremely hard decision for you. Could it be moving away from friends and family? Safe versus the unknown? The culture in Maryland is different than the culture in Seattle, yes, but if you are of an adventurous spirit and open mind, that can be a plus. It's when we are uncomfortable that we grow but only you know if you are ready for such a change.

This is a matter of knowing yourself and making the best decision for you. You have 2 great options, neither of which are permanent.

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

[JKL33]

Personal opinions only:

Quote

magnet hospital

Not an appropriate criteria. It is not a genuine independent measure of anything and is only as good as the ongoing effort undertaken to uphold the spirit of the designation. You will need on-the-ground personal reports about this, not just the designation itself.

On 11/30/2020 at 2:59 PM, Nurse Beth said:

rotating shifts

Deal-breaker.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

I would never, ever, EVER work rotating shifts. Proven in study after study to shorten one's life and its a miserable existence. It ought to be illegal.