New grad associate RN here who is fortunate enough to have two job offers. I have to choose before March, and I'm not sure what to do.
Choice #1: Telemetry at a veterans hospital (I did my preceptorship here, and it's very difficult to get into the VA system because people hardly ever leave).
Pros: Great pay (considerably more than choice #2), 12-week orientation, federal benefits, great retirement package (pension, 401k matching), possible student loan reimbursement, no layoffs, no call-offs, 26 days paid vacation, difficult to get fired, rare to have a female patient/no PEDS (never been comfortable with this population), difficult to sue the feds, I'll be working days.
Could lay a good foundation to get me into my unit of choice (ICU). I also LOVE this hospital, Love the mission statement, and enjoy serving our vets. Can't beat starting out with a cardiac background as I could go into the ER or ICU.
Cons: BUREAUCRACY, transferring to another unit may take 2 years.. if not more, needy long-term patients who don't really need to be an inpatient, I wanted to start in ER or ICU, I'll move up the payscale slower since I'm starting here as a new grad.
Choice #2: Emergency Department position at level 2 trauma center.
Pros: I get to start out in the ER which could change the trajectory of my career (at least I know I won't be stuck in tele for the rest of my life), 16 week orientation, good benefits (healthcare, pension, etc.), i'll be working with a lot of grads who went to my school, LOTS of learning experience (THE BEST), very supportive of new grads, and i'll be working in a specialty i've always wanted to work in. I feel like this is a better fit for me since I'm male.
Cons: Very low starting pay, 2 year contract, nights, what if I get tired in the ER but find myself stuck because ER is so different from everything else, this is an inner city hospital so the ER is always SLAMMED, oh and did I mention..low pay. I would finish out my 2 year contract and use the experience to get in a better paying hospital.
As much as I love the ER ... in your shoes as a brand new nurse I would take option 1. You could transfer to the ER of a VA hospital at some point in the future if you really felt called toward it, but in the meantime you will get a great foundation working in Tele. The pay ... the sense of purpose ... and the benefits ... are simply unmatched anywhere else.
Thanks for the replies everyone. This really makes the decision easier. The turnover rate among newer employees at the second hospital is high because of the pay. However, there are a lot of people who have been there for > 10 years because of the pension. The people I know who work there love it because they're serving a population that's really in need, but the pay just doesn't cut it.
As far as future plans go, it would be nice to pursue an APN role, so I know it would be smart to try and position myself to make that a reality if I ever do feel the urge to pursue graduate studies. I was hoping to get into an ICU because I enjoyed it more than anything else during clinicals, and it felt a lot more natural for me than ER did (I still enjoyed ER though). ICU can also lead to CRNA. Both ER and ICU seem like it would be good experience for NP if I ever pursue that. I also wouldn't mind working in admin after putting my time in at the bedside. I'm starting a BSN program in a couple of months, so we'll see how I feel about grad school once I'm finished with that.
The VA is more of a place to stay for the long-term and build a career with. With that being said, given the status of the job market (for every field), and the level of my brokeness (haha!), I'm choosing the VA.
Number 1. Even if you hate it there, and it's slow to transfer to another unit, you can always take your experience there and go to another hospital in the unit you want since you don't have a contract. Plus tele is great background for ER nursing.
Thanks for that. I think tele may open up more doors for me later on. I don't want to end up stuch in an ER only to find out I don't like it. At least with tele experience I'll have a background that I personally think will help me out in other areas as well.
Thanks for that. I think tele may open up more doors for me later on. I don't want to end up stuch in an ER only to find out I don't like it. At least with tele experience I'll have a background that I personally think will help me out in other areas as well.
So exactly how did a new grad end up with two job offers? what area are you in? Just asking and I am sure many others would like to know as well.
So exactly how did a new grad end up with two job offers? what area are you in? Just asking and I am sure many others would like to know as well.
One of my friends who just graduated wound up with a total of 4 job offers to chose from. And our area is a tight market for new grads. I wouldn't recommend new grads flock to this area just because of that though.
#1 ... Nice! Now I am reconsidering the VA as a possible site for the future :) I did my psych clincial at the one nearest me, and they said they are always hiring. Hmmm, guess it's a regional thing. Psych however is NOT my thing. If I pursue something there it will be clearly in a med-surg specialty. My capstone in 2 months will be on a tele floor at the Univ Hosp, so I guess I am a little biased in my answer. I am also doing my med-surg clincial there right now and I am liking it.
wow, your friend was that great to be in such demand,(lol)
I was offered 12 jobs all at once when I graduated years ago. This forum is getting harder to read by the minute.
One of my friends who just graduated wound up with a total of 4 job offers to chose from. And our area is a tight market for new grads. I wouldn't recommend new grads flock to this area just because of that though.
I always thought experience was more precious than immediate pay. With that being said, any job you may consider in the future will hold that ER experience more viable than telemetry; unless transferring into the same field.
I would consider long term versus immediate. You never know with VA clinics. You may advance quicker, and you may be subjected to stay at the same pay grade well beyond your 2 years. Is there any that is willing to send you for your BSN with tuition assistance? I would go with whichever is more adamant to assist with my future career goals, rather holding me under lock and key. 2 years is an extremely long time to be unhappy, if tele is not the scope for you.
Only you can decide what's best for you, and you probably have a good feeling which one you'll choose, but you're just thinking it over carefully. Wise move. I would choose number 1. Here's why: You precepted there, so you already know the hospital policy/charting, etc, etc, telemetry is good broad experience that is transferable to any nursing area, the pay. That is huge...you mentioned you'd make a lot more than the other one. That would be my deciding factor if I really was not sure....pay isn't everything, but a big pay difference is huge in your yearly income (but if money doesn't matter for you, then that's different. I like using my disposable income to travel to see family b/c I love my family lol).
Anyway, pros of the other job..you said you really like ER, and if that's your passion, and you're sure you love it, then it might be worth going straight into it. I know I'd rather make less money and do what I love than be miserable doing something else. One red flag, though...the contract at this job. 2 years...which means you're roped into it even if it sucks (you can get out of them, but I"m sure it's a giant pain). I mean....really you should stay somewhere at least a year anyway, but if its unsafe, that's altogether different. The VA doesn't have a contract, which to me is a good thing. I wouldn't want to sign a contract b/c that tells me that the working conditions are not good. Maybe I'm wrong, though....today in this economy, it's an at will employment atmosphere, so the employer has nothing to gain by having you sign a contract unless they're losing a lot of employees b/c the job sucks since they can replace you very easily (Do you know anyone that works in that ER? Is the job good? Good staffing, etc? Some ER's are terrible with staffing, so watch out. I'm an ICU nurse, and I love it...wouldn't want to do anything else...though I did have to start in an area I didn't really like just to get experience first for a year. Best of luck to you! Looks like you have 2 good options! And you're wrong about ER...ER would be very good experience for other areas, too....you wouldn't be stuck there if you didn't like it. ER nurses are the best IV starters, for one, and they're time mgmt, if they're a good ER nurse is among the best.
Specializes in Trauma, ER, ICU, CCU, PACU, GI, Cardiology, OR.
First of all Congratulations for landing 2 job offers in this economy In addition, of what you posted regarding the #1 position, let me add that if you work for the V.A. and if you decide to move to any of the 50 States you'll never lose your benefits or status since there are V.A.'s or clinics in all 50 states, therefore, I would definitely chose #1
You are a very lucky girl.. I graduated in july 2011 and have worked as a pct part time at hosptial and still looking for a nursing job. God Bless!
I think the best choice may be the first one overall. experience, pay...BUREAUCRACY is everywhere.....so dont let that worry you. and lie Gitano said you are able to relocate anywhere in US territory.
In addition, of what you posted regarding the #1 position, let me add that if you work for the V.A. and if you decide to move to any of the 50 States you'll never lose your benefits or status since there are V.A.'s or clinics in all 50 states, therefore, I would definitely chose #1 
Altra, BSN, RN
6,255 Posts
As much as I love the ER ... in your shoes as a brand new nurse I would take option 1. You could transfer to the ER of a VA hospital at some point in the future if you really felt called toward it, but in the meantime you will get a great foundation working in Tele. The pay ... the sense of purpose ... and the benefits ... are simply unmatched anywhere else.