New Grad NP - Took first job offer-

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So I was a bit skeptical of the job market so I was grateful to get this offer- My preceptor offered me this opportunity. It wasn't my ideal job. But I was grateful to get the experience. I don't start till next month.

Don't get me wrong. I don't anticipate it will be a terrible position. I have been working inpatient psych for 7 years. It was my goal to work outpatient after I finished school so I did not have to work weekends and holidays anymore.

With this position, I will be working a lot of nights and weekends. Ahh, same as I am now as a staff nurse. I don't work nights now but I work every weekend in my current position as an RN. So that's why its not my ideal job. However, the compensation makes up for the inconvenience.

So here it is, the last few days boom! I get calls from a couple of places that I sent my CV to a while back to set up interviews! They are all out patient clinics. So definitely what I prefer. So would you keep interviewing? Even though you already accepted another position? Unprofessional to accept another position and tell my preceptor I won't be taking the position he offered, in the event I am offered one of these other positions?

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Oooh difficult situation one one hand and on the other, great that you have choices. You would probably be burning your bridge with your preceptor. Howeve, if you are SURE outpt is what you want, then you can just say that your situation has changed and while you apologize for the late notice, but you have decided to decline the inpt offer.

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Thanks for the reply. I would really prefer to work in an out patient setting.

I hate that I would be burning a bridge with my preceptor. I feel such a heavy weight with that. I'm so torn. He's hired others in the past from my program. If I end up not taking the job, I would hope that I don't leave a sour taste in his mouth that would prevent him from hiring anyone else from the program in the future.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

A sincere apology should help as you haven't actually started the job, right?

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No I have not started the job yet. I am not scheduled to start until the first week of June.

I have no other offers yet, so this is all just supposition at this point. I have scheduled the interviews over the next 7 days. I'm hoping one of them is successful and makes their decision rather quickly so I would be able to give him " timely" notice that I won't be starting.

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Set up those interviews! You want to do what your heart desires and what will ultimately bring you fulfillment. If that's outpatient, then by all means...

Remember, this is business, nothing personal. Take a chapter from the various employers who let employees go on the regular due to "business needs". At the end of the day, they aren't responsible for your happiness, you are!

As suggested above, a sincere note should suffice. But you're not responsible for his reaction, so let go of that burden and do what's best for you.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

@ToFNPandBeyondexactly right! NPs are a business commodity and we need to remember that!

We need to know our worth and realize what we want in our career.

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Great situation to be in !! Having lots of job offers

I would be careful because an interview does not mean you actually have the offer in hand- so once you do ...definitely do something you really would see yourself enjoying! Good luck

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The NP world is a very very small world. As a new grad it would be foolish to go burning any bridges. You've already accepted the position, which means the company has stopped recruiting for the position. Once they've landed a candidate, they don't like to have to back to the drawing board. No matter how big your city feels, trust me people would hear about this.

You're not signing a lifelong agreement. I would actually recommend taking a less than ideal job as a new grad because it basically takes 2 years to become competent. NP school does not prepare us like residency/internships prepare doctors to enter the workforce. In Arizona, NPs and MDs have the same scope of practice (excluding invasive procedures/surgery) and the same job expectations. If you're like most other NPs, myself included, you're gonna screw up the first job.

You can interview without notifying your current potential employer. You would only have to tell them if you got the hard copy job offer and decided to accept. There's no harm in interviewing if it gives you piece of mind. Go wherever you will have the most resources and support available to you.

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Thank you for all the replies. I appreciate all the insights. I have been quite busy interviewing since I made this post. It has been quite a whirlwind and my head is spinning.

I have gotten 2 offers. I have a few days to make a decision.

Thanks again for the feedback.

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Mango peach you should write a list of pros and cons for each job and that will help make your decision with a clearer thought process w/o emotions Good luck and let us know what you decide

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Hey all, just to update everyone, I did not take the job with my preceptor. I ended up taking a job out of state! I am so excited and can't wait to start. I had a few offers in town and almost accepted one of them.

Then a recruiter I had been working with contacted me about a position with an organization that checked all the boxes I was looking for and seems like my dream job! They flew me in for the interview and everything fit. The MD and everyone I met were so supportive. Its right up my alley. There are other seasoned NPs here. I feel a sense of calm. (Not that I am not nervous about my first NP job, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't)- I just feel at home at this clinic.

Its a big step moving to another state but of all the places I interviewed, I feel I would be most supported here and the clinic seems to fit my values when it comes to addiction and mental health treatment.

The benefit package is awesome and I was a bit surprised that they offered me more than some of the places here in GA. It was not a whole lot more, but still more. I'm moving to Florida. So much to do. But they are giving me time to get it done and giving me some moving expenses.

Thanks again for your input. I am so happy for this board and you all. I am so happy I made the decision to go with my gut and keep interviewing.

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