Need help with new grad job offers

holaitsdee · Aug 19, 2021

I graduated earlier this year in May and got into an ICU immediately after. Unfortunately, that hasn't panned out due to many factors (a strong one being commute and lack of structure in residency program!) I left after about a month and a half.

Now, I’ve interviewed and shadowed about 6 units at a hospital that’s only 10 minutes away from me (yay!). I got offers from PCU, 2 medsurg units, ortho/neuro unit, tele and mother/baby. I’m thankful to have all these choices but I’m also the most indecisive person.

On one hand, I really liked working in the ICU but unfortunately they weren’t hiring so you would think PCU is the next best choice. However, the ratio scares me. Due to shortage of staff in the entire hospital, they said ratios are 1:5 and can be 1:6 sometimes. However, it’s for a night position so maybe that would be a little less work? When I shadowed there, the techs were extremely helpful and answered most call bells and the unit culture seemed wonderful. A lot of people my age who seemed to get along extremely well.

My second choice is mother/baby because I’ve always seen NICU as sort of an end goal but most nurses keep telling me it’s not a good place to go as a new grad because I’ll be limiting my chances of getting out of OB in the future if I decided it wasn’t for me. When I shadowed, everyone on the unit was nice but they were mainly older white women, not that I have anything against them but I just don’t have a lot in common with them LOL. The ratio is 1:3 couplets and I found that there was a LOT of downtime at night, but that could be a good thing for me since I’ll be starting BSN classes soon. They are also adequately staffed to the point where we only need to work 1 or 2 weekend days per month because most people WANT to work weekends. Also holidays rotated every 3 years.

The other units were okay but didn’t stand out a lot. I would love to hear what you would do if it were you or if you have good insight about your new grad experience in any of these units. Thanks!