Need Some Insight on Differing Residencies

Nurses New Nurse

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So I am in a little of a predicament. I was offered two residencies. The first residency that I was offered was for a trauma 1 hospital working in their Operating Room (this is the specialty that I want regardless). It contains a periop101 program to be passed in the first 6 months which would include time on the floor and time in a classroom to get this completed. After this is completed, I would be working 3 12 hour shifts a week with an option to work nights (plus because I like nights) with differential. The insurance benefits are great and the pay is a little over $25 an hour. They require the NCLEX be passed before you begin.

The second residency I was offered was at an actual surgical center. It also contains a periop101 to be completed within the first 6 months with four 8 hour days on the floor and one day "working from home" completing coursework. I would be off on weekends and holidays (all surgeries are elective) and no on call. At the end of the residency I can choose what schedule I want (either 8/10/or 12 hour days). The insurance benefits are okay but the pay is over $30 an hour. They do not require the NCLEX be passed before the start of the program but you must pass by the end of the residency or you have to pay them back/lose your job.

Can anyone give me some insight into what the pros/cons are that may have some experience here? I am a graduate nurse so I don't know which option would be better to take and I don't want to miss out on a great opportunity.

Thank you so much!

Specializes in NICU.

With the surgical center, you would have no weekends and no holidays. The drawback is that all surgeries are elective, which means you will taking part in the same types of surgeries routinely. No gunshot or stabbing wounds and no auto accidents at a surgery center.

Trauma Center would provide a lot of variety and the kinds of surgeries you would be part of will be unpredictable. The drawback is having to work weekends, holidays, and being on-call.

Specializes in Physiology, CM, consulting, nsg edu, LNC, COB.

I’d take the surgical center job at better hours, higher pay, and the same educational program right now. Then get really good at those routines over a year or so. Then you can choose to keep a job that’s fun and easy to have work life balance but not your preferred shift, or use the experience and background to apply to nights at the trauma center. Best of all worlds. 

On 6/18/2021 at 8:52 AM, Hannahbanana said:

I’d take the surgical center job at better hours, higher pay, and the same educational program right now. Then get really good at those routines over a year or so. Then you can choose to keep a job that’s fun and easy to have work life balance but not your preferred shift, or use the experience and background to apply to nights at the trauma center. Best of all worlds. 

This is what I was thinking as well to transfer into the OR at a large hospital after I get some experience! Thank you for the insight!

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