New Grad 2 job offers

[KanKanRN]

Hello all, I am in a bind and I don't know what to do! Advice needed please!

I will be graduating in May of 2018 and have been fortunate enough to receive two residency offers. Both have pros and cons so it is really hard for me to choose. My dream job is in the ICU. Here are both of the options listed below with the essential facts..

HCA StARN (smaller hospital)

ICU - residency

2 yr/$10,000 Contract

23.27$/hr only 8$ for overtime

Other Medical Center

General 13 Week Residency floated around to tele/medsurg/PCU/ICU

Apply to unit I hope for at the end of 13 weeks

No contract

24.69$/hr - time and half for overtime

[Wuzzie]

Will you be able to accept it if you choose option 2 and don't get hired into the ICU but get med-surg instead?

[SaltySarcasticSally, LPN, RN]

I would not do a contract unless you are familiar with the unit and the management.

[KanKanRN]

Yes, I would be very upset if I turned down my ICU position for the risk of possibly landing in medsurg after the 13 weeks. I love everything about the 13 week residency with the better benefits and pay of option 2. Or I go with the ICU option with floor of choice, lower pay and not as great of benefits with a contract. Ahhhh I wish I could have the best of both of them.

[Wuzzie]

Yes, I would be very upset if I turned down my ICU position for the risk of possibly landing in medsurg after the 13 weeks. I love everything about the 13 week residency with the better benefits and pay of option 2. Or I go with the ICU option with floor of choice, lower pay and not as great of benefits with a contract. Ahhhh I wish I could have the best of both of them.

You do realize if you were hired into med-surg that it's not a life sentence? I would take my chances with option 2 and if I got med-surg I would forget about being upset, throw myself into the job, learn as much as I can, be an exemplary team player and make myself someone the ICU manger wants to hire. Then in about a year I would apply for any ICU or PCU position available and begin my adventure in critical care. You will not believe how fast a year flies by. I wish you the best in whatever you choose.

[ThatBigGuy]

Is the $10,000 contract prorated or to be paid in full should you not complete the two years? If it's prorated, I'd jump at that opportunity. An ICU residency is worth its weight in gold. I wouldn't worry about the OT pay as a new grad, because the ICU residency makes up for it.

On the other hand, if you want out, $10,000 is nearly 30% of your yearly salary when taking into account taxes and benefits.

I can do anything for a year; the same cannot be said for two years.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Two years is a long time, 10 K is a lot of money.

It's difficult to start out in ICU. I am a smart chick, don't know if I could have succeeded.

Check out the threads here on starting out in ICU.

Best wishes.

[MamaBeaRN]

I'm a strong Option 2! Like a pp said, MS isn't a life sentence. It would just be a stepping block, and probably won't suck as much as you think. The Option 1 sounds kind of crappy.