Needing some career advice

Published

Specializes in ER, ICU, Medsurg.

To make a long story short...I just graduated a bridge program. I took my LPN boards last May and began work at the local hospital as an extern last summer. When school started back, I transitioned into an LPN role and worked prn all year there. The hospital even gave me a scholarship for my RN year that if I don't work for them for 2 years I will need to repay over the course of 2 years.

This hospital and the people that work there have been wonderful, really took me under their wing. I'm working med-surg but also spent a lot of time in Icu. Here is my dilemma, during my last semester I precepted in ER at a different hospital. I LOVED it!!! I knew I loved after my very first day. For the last few months, I have been talking to my "home" hospital about going into the ER there. I keep getting a story. "can't hire a new grad down there without 1 year experience, but may be able to get you in since you've been an LPN for a year here". The latest story is "we can't afford to lose you to ER until we get new people trained on med-srg". I see no light at the end of the tunnel, seems like it is always something.

In the meantime, the hospital where I did my precepting called and are interested in talking with me about working ER there. I am so torn. My "home" hospital is so good to me, but I don't want to be on med surg. All other things are equal. Pay is the same, commute is the same. The shift would be a 12p-12a shift (i'm working 7a-7p now). The 12p-12a shift in ER would allow me to at least be able to take my child to school. Nevermind the fact that I am really wanting to work ER and eventually get my Acnp, which requires ER experience to be accepted into a program.

I just don't know what to do. My husband says he supports me in any decision I make and I need to do what makes me happy. I'm concerned about paying back the scholarship of $3000 over 2 years, but should that drive me to sacrafice a position I really want?

Any advice would be extremely helpful. I just don't want to burn any bridges or seem ungrateful for all my "home" hospital has done, but I also need to do what is right for my career

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Unless you are absolutely miserable in your current med/surg job, I would stay there and repay your loan. Once you have repaid your obligation to them, you will be free to pursue other opportunities -- other opportunities will probably be there in the future. The ED job is probably not a "once in a lifetime opportunity." There will be other opportunities coming along.

If you abandon your obligation to your home hospital, you may very well be burning a bridge that you may need someday in the future. They invested in your education and you owe them something in return. They don't really want their money back, they want you to work for them. Fulfill your moral obligation (not just the legal/financial one) and then be free and clear to move on with an employment record and professional reputation that shows you to be a person of integrity as well as a good nurse.

One thing that might happen is that ... as you near the end of your committment and they realize you might actually leave their hospital ... they may be more amenable to transfering you to the ER. That would be the best possibility. You would keep whatever benefits you get from seniority and get the transfer you want. Help make that happen by getting whatever continuing education you in ER-related topics. Be sure that the ER manager knows you remain interested in a transfer, etc. Be open about your long-term career goals of working in ER someday, but remain pleasant and cordial while you fulfill your obligation to work for XYZ hospital. Once you get that year of RN experience, the ER manager might be able to "pull" you into the ER if she thinks you would be great for her department.

You never know about that ER job in the other hospital. It might have looked good to you as an outsider ... but you might hate it once you are there ... or it might not work out for any number of reasons. Then you would be stuck without a job -- perhaps unable to return to your old one. Or just as bad, your old one might take you back and not treat you as well as they do now. (You would be working for them AFTER you had paid back the money!) That's a big risk to take in this economy.

"A bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush," is the old saying that applies here.

That's just my $.02.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, ICU, Medsurg.

Thanks llg, I agree with you about it being an ethical/moral decision which is why I am so stuck. I've made out lists of pros and cons and everything comes out equal. Although I am not completely miserable in med/surg, I cannot imagine living the next 2 years on a med/surg floor.

Thanks again for your advice, was very helpful.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi I just completed my pre-nursing year at a 4 year college and I've been told I will start off making between $19-$23 with a BSN which is not bad but my friends sister recieved her LPN and is making $45,000 a year which might be more then what I start off making with a bachelors. When I gain more experience will my pay/benefits dwarf hers or is 1 year of school to be an LPN almost equal to being an RN with a BSN?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion