New grad dilemma.....

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Hi everyone!

I'm in a little bit of a dilemma right now and I wanted to seek opinions from the minds on all nurses! To give you a bit of a background, I am a recent (5/2019) BSN graduate and just passed NCLEX. I am currently in San Diego, CA.

Awhile ago I was offered a position to a new grad program from a smaller hospital not in San Diego, with a September start date. I have a good friend who works in this same hospital and unit I got offered a position on and she says she has had a good learning opportunity from the hospital.

Being from San Diego, and working as a nursing assistant in one of the major San Diego hospitals, it's always been my dream to work at at least one of them. My end goal is in the ED so the exposure to higher acuity patients is something that is really appealing to me. However, multiple cohorts for new grad programs have passed, and for some reason I haven't even been able to land an interview.

So my dilemma... should I accept this job at the smaller hospital, gain a couple years of experience (oh yeah, forgot to mention there's a 2 year contract), then pursue my dreams? OR should I pass on the job and continue to apply to more hospitals with hopes of at least landing an interview in the next round? (the next round of new grad apps open oct-nov for feb-march starts btw)

I think the uncertainty of whether I'll even get a job or not is something that's making me lean towards accepting the position to the smaller hospital. Because at least with the smaller hospital position, I'd end up where I eventually want to be, but it's just a different route to get there.

I'm definitely really torn at the moment and would love some insight from anyone!

Thank you in advance.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Your odds are slim to none in San Diego with an ASN. Take the other job, work on your BSN and apply in San Diego as an experienced nurse.

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@not.done.yet i have my BSN!

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

I misread. I apologize! I still would never turn down a solid job offer in favor of an offer that may never materialize. Especially in southern California, one of the tightest markets in the nation. Whatever you decide, I wish you well.

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8 hours ago, not.done.yet said:

...Take the other job, work on your BSN and apply in San Diego as an experienced nurse.

If it's still available. As the OP stated it was offered "Awhile ago" it is possible that the facility has moved on to another candidate.

Best wishes OP.

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1 minute ago, chare said:

If it's still available. As the OP stated it was offered "Awhile ago" it is possible that the facility has moved on to another candidate.

Best wishes OP.

Hi! The offer still stands with the hospital. I accepted however have not signed a contract with the hospital. I am still dealing everyday and constantly going back and forth. I’m truly stuck on my dream of working a big hospital with a higher acuity of patients ? still indecisive.

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Have you spoken to your manager/supervisors at your current nursing assistant job? To question why you haven't been offered interviews for an RN position? That may at least be a good first step.

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Specializes in Dialysis.

In that area of the country, take the sure thing, don't wait for what may never happen

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What did you end up doing?

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In a crazy turn of events.... I ended up getting an interview for a new grad program in San Diego! But the plot twist was, the interview date was supposed to be the same day I was supposed to sign new hire paperwork for the smaller hospital!!! So I decided to take the risk, and retract my acceptance from the smaller hospital and basically put all my eggs in one basket with the SD hospital. I had two weeks to prep for the interview so I walked into the interview VERY nervous but also prepared. I ended up getting an offer a couple weeks after.

I felt like me landing the interview at the SD hospital was kind of like a sign that I should wait it out! And I’m so glad I did ?

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awesome! how's it going? what floor are you on?

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I actually don’t start til November! The smaller hospital offered me a tele position but the SD hospital gave me a PCU position ?

i feel like hospitals in San Diego have such a loOoOng new grad process. I applied for the SD hospital in May and start in November ?

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