new grad residency dilemma

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Specializes in Medical.

Hi all,

Been a long reader on this site but this is my first post. I am a new grad nurse currently working as a substitute school nurse per diem. So far, I love the school setting but as a new nurse, feel if I could get a year of hospital experience somewhere, I would be doing both my patients and myself good.

So, my goal for the new year is to secure a new grad residency program for nurses w/ 0-1 year experience.

Meanwhile,I have been offered a clinic job hundreds of miles away from home. Experience wise, am thrilled at the opportunity it will give me to be part of a large clinic. For first time, I get to be a part of a collaborative team and work with a preceptor and a supervisor. However,money wise it is a NO DEAL w/ 50% pay cut plus relocation expense.

Do you think a RN experience at a clinic will be more valued than a per diem school nurse experience or is it the same in the eyes of a hospital recruiter?

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I was toying w. the idea to maybe work 6-8 months at the new job and then apply for a residency. However, I worry about the financial constraints and the effort not being valued by a hospital(more of the latter).Is this worth the effort to secure a residency or should I just keep my per diem school job.

I'm not sure I understand the question- is it worth the effort to get a residency as opposed to....applying as an experienced nurse? Not trying to work in a hospital at all?

I think a full time job > a per diem job, right? You'd likely have an orientation regardless of whether it's called a residency program or not when you start employment with a hospital.

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Specializes in Medical.

Firstly thank you for commenting.Sorry about my rambling confusing you.

What I meant is, in order to land a hospital job, what type of background appears more attractive to a Hospital Recruiter?

a nurse who has been a RN at a clinic or a school nurse ?

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Neither will. Keep the school job for now until something closer to home where u can work both opens up!

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Firstly thank you for commenting.Sorry about my rambling confusing you.

What I meant is, in order to land a hospital job, what type of background appears more attractive to a Hospital Recruiter?

a nurse who has been a RN at a clinic or a school nurse ?

Ah, ok. I'm actually not sure about that question. Possibly the clinic? But if the salary isn't worth it to relocate, are there other options you can pursue locally? Can you get by on the per diem school nurse salary alone? It's important to think about how what you do now prepares you for the future, but you also have to live in the here and now, you know?

I did per diem work in a flu clinic and I got a mix of reactions from recruiters from "good for you for keeping yourself busy" to indifference.

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Specializes in Medical Surgical & Nursing Manaagement.

I think it all depends on where you see yourself going. Interested in pediatrics..........then stick with the school nurse.

Clinic will off you more diversity, I think.

Think long and hard about relocating. Think about life stress.........new job, relocation, new friends, etc. and its a per diem job.

Hang in there, you will get a job.

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Specializes in Professional Development Specialist.
I think it all depends on where you see yourself going. Interested in pediatrics..........then stick with the school nurse.

Clinic will off you more diversity, I think.

Think long and hard about relocating. Think about life stress.........new job, relocation, new friends, etc. and its a per diem job.

Hang in there, you will get a job.

I agree.

If you really want to do peds then the school nursing is the better experience. If you aren't sure, then maybe clinic. But neither is considered experience and it would take a really good sales job and a lot of persistence to get a hospital job after either. You probably already know that, but hang in there!

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Specializes in Medical.

Merry Christmas to all!

sonorityGenius: thank you for sharing your view.

@hiddencatRN: Locally, my other option is to pursue a home care nursing job. Other than that, things appear bleak. I still work PT in a job from my previous career locally .Relocating would minus this 2nd income too. When I say 50% pay cut, i'm taking into account this income I'd be losing out on as well.

@ Kayern: Yes, I am interested in peds. However,I am not sure if it is the only specialty I want to stick w/throughout though. the clinic would expose me to peds along w/ other specialties and that is what initially drew my interest to it.plus, it is a FT job.Far though, I thought I found my career break. the compensation package just ruined the beauty of it. You are right about the psychological baggage re: relocation too. thank you for sharing your point.

@ jennifersews: thank you for sharing your views too.

The dilemma of being grateful for a job offer and accepting it vs waiting for the right one to come by is not easy to deal with.

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