New Grad with 4 Job Offers - Can't decide

[Nurse Beth]

Hi Nurse Beth!

I am looking for some advice on new grad positions. I live about 45 minutes west of Atlanta, but I suppose my scenario can be used for anyone outside of a major metro area.

I graduated with a BSN last week. I have received 4 job offers; two I declined because they were Med Surg and Tele, but they were 1st shift positions at medium sized hospitals. The other two were in L&D. One from a very small hospital 15 minutes from my home at Tanner Health Systems. The other was from Grady. Currently, I work as an extern at Grady on their Tele floor. I like that I see people from all walks of life and I have the opportunity to touch people who have lead very rough lives (that's if I have the time).

Now, I'm torn between a night shift at a local hospital that pays better than Grady, but isn't certified baby-friendly yet, will not do VBAC's if the client is not actively in labor and progressing (because they are somewhat rural), 600 births per year, but all of the nurses seem to love their jobs there.

On the other hand I have Grady. Grady is the place where you get to see everything. They have performed two EXIT procedures in the last 2-3 years (roughly), Lots of high-risk mamas, unique family dynamics, many women without prenatal care, etc. However, it's an hour from driveway to clock-in if there isn't an accident on 20, their differentials are $1.50-2.00 less than Tanner and they require a 2 year commitment that does include a lot of prep for a new nurse.

I guess my issue is being afraid of not becoming the best nurse possible by not exposing myself to the crazy stuff and suffering through 2 years of driving downtown. Or starting off slowly with limited exposure, but making and keeping more money to pay off those loans.

My fiancé and his family want me to stay local. I think mainly for fear of the dangers that surround Grady with the large amount of homeless and drug addicts.

Plus, I'm a Libra and I cannot make a decision. Although nursing school has helped me with that quite a bit!

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Dear Can't Decide Libra,

That's a tough decision.

Tanner offers everything better except for the down and dirty, nitty-gritty, real-life nursing of Grady. I get it. You don't want to have regrets. The fact that you want to experience the non-sanitized version of nursing says a lot about you. It is easier to go from Grady to Tanner than it is to later go from Tanner to Grady.

You do have to weigh your fiancee's wishes, but in the end, it's up to you. Your fiancee is concerned about your safety and if you choose Grady, he will have to feel assured that you are parking in a safe area and mindful of your surroundings.

It all hinges on finding the answer within yourself. Only you know what you truly want- it's just a matter of getting in touch with that part of you that already knows.

Remember that no decision is permanent. You can always change hospitals down the road. I hope you will keep me posted on your decision.

Very best,

Nurse Beth

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

I had to drive to Atlanta recently for a trauma meeting, and I would not want to make that drive every workday! And I used to do the DC-area commute (for like a decade), so I am familiar with stupid traffic. I am currently in Augusta and loving my 6-mile commute! Quality of life in your off-time is a big deal, and it's nice to get home in 15 minutes and have some of my day left. I think you made a good choice! Congrats on your NCLEX success. Good luck with the new job!

[daverika]

A little off topic...not much more than a year ago many posts here about not being able to find a job, now lots of grads with too many choices...oh how the pendulum swings! As all us old folks retire it will only get better for a new generation of wonderful dedicated professionals. I am excited and pleased for all of you!

[wolf9653]

Hi, Good luck on your new job. Bear in mind, your needs are probably different than mine. I think you were looking for excuses to stay at grady, since it is a known quantity, but in the end did the math and came out with Tanner. I'm sure you made the best choice for you. Myself, I would have opted for the more diverse, intensive experience, for the sake of my development as a nurse. The con on that is if they are that harried, one might learn bad habits in order to cope with what they have.

That said, I'm jealous, I wish I had your problems. It's pretty tough by me.

[Maevish, ASN, RN]

I agree with the Pro/Con list idea and then figure out what's more important to you. There's NO shame right now in saying that's money, by-the-way! However, as a new nurse, you want to find the hospital that will give you the best experience as a nurse. That may be the L&D job. Even if it's not where you want to end up, you can switch areas later, if you want to. Right out of school you want to go somewhere that is supportive of new grads because it's a tough time for most people.

As for the bad area of Grady, I heard the same thing about Highland in Oakland, which, admittedly, is in a scary part of town (gang violence, random shootings, etc). I never had a bad experience. Of course, I was careful and didn't go back out to my car in the middle of the night as I'm prone to do at most assignments, etc. It was also a great experience because I'd heard numerous times that "If you can work ICU/ER there, you can work anywhere" and they were right. It was a madhouse, cause it's a large county hospital that also does trauma, but you get experience there that you don't find just anywhere.

Do the list, see what's up, and try to look out for yourself at first, especially. You don't want to sour yourself too soon (j/k?) before you've had a chance to get your motor running.

xo