New grad needs help. I'm so torn!

[RNinCali15]

I am a new RN who currently works for a hospital in a non-nursing position. The hospital I work for does not hire new grads often, it at all. This is the same for the neighboring facilities. I apply for every position that is open to new graduates that I see within 100 miles. Yesterday for the first time, I got an email from recruitment for a RN position on med/surg starting at $76 an hour (on-call and nights) I have been an RN since February and am so happy to see some progress with an application of mine. But, I have been in contact with the director of a neighboring facility (same hospital) since March regarding new-grad positions in labor and delivery. The labor and delivery positions posted five days after the med/surg positions and no calls have been made for them yet as they close on Saturday. I don't know what to do. I want a RN job with my hospital but my passion is the NICU. Experience in med surg would not help me get to NICU, but l&d would. If I accept this med surg positon, the union holds me to that unit for six months. The labor and delivery training positions will be long gone at that point. What would ya'll do?

[xxdiscoxxheaven]

76 an hour?? Where do you live? Is this benefitted? Lol. I'd take that job any day

[pixiestudent2]

I'd stopped reading at 76/hr.

TAKE THE JOB!

[RNinCali15]

No it's non-benefited. Boo! The pay is so high because of night differential and in-lieu of benefits diff. The other job would pay the same as they have the same union and contract. I'm in California.

[excited1]

You said you are currently working in a non-nursing position. While I realize that one floor may serve better entry to a specialty than another, you said you are a NEW RN, in a NON nursing position. Med surg experience is a great foot in the door. And at a measly $76/hr (sarcasm of course), you cant pass that up. You need nursing experience. To have an offer is amazing, to have an AMAZING offer such as at that rate, that is a dream come true. Good luck with your decision!

[FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN]

If possible I would do the following. Ask the 76/hr position how much time you have to give your final decision. You are excited about the offer but need to work out personal details. They will probably give you a date. Then call about the l/d position on Monday and tell them your second choice job has made an offer and needs a decision by x date. Your first choice is this position. What are your chances?

If l/d can't offer you a spot take that med surg position and know that you will get into the NICU in time.

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

The $76.00 an hour on call MedSurg job sounds sketchy. Brand new grads should not be on call. It's very unconventional.

Am I right that at this point you have no RN experience?

MedSurg is a great opportunity, but find out more such as what training they are providing. You want a solid job with training and benefits at a reputable facility.

[mago8388]

I agree that on-call position sounds too sketchy. I did on-call home care with children that were sent home on ventilators straght from the ICU and they would not hire New Grads because they would only give you a brief training on how to work with a portable vent but everything else would be stuff you learn in a Med-Surg floor like changing a G-tube, suctioning, changing and caring for tracheotomy tube. Tube feedings and med admin etc. Be careful!

[Amistad, RN]

I would inquire as to how thorough their training is for a new grad. I would NOT want to be thrown on the floor with little training, especially only part time where you may not get into the swing of things as quickly. Of course, there are only so many opportunities for new grads which stinks. :-/

Best of luck! Let us know what happens.

[heididah]

Go with l and d. I think you already have your answer. :)

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

What ended up happening? I'm curious.