New-ish nurse dilemma

[jenjen4218]

As a new nurse, would you rather go into a reputable hospital on a floor you don't want to be on, and nightshift which you don't want either but use it as a foot in the door type of thing. Or take the job in a "crappy" hospital on the floor you want and schedule you like?

I'm so torn.

Thanks for your input.

[Serhilda, ADN, RN]

That depends on what's making this hospital "crappy." Are we talking John Hopkins versus your local community hospital or something? If so, no one cares. It's a no brainer decision for me to work on a floor I prefer with a schedule that works for me.

[NewOncNurseRN, BSN, RN]

For me the specialty was the most important part. And if you get the schedule you want- that’s a nice bonus!

[NightNerd, MSN, RN]

Prolly go for the floor and schedule you want, unless the "crappy" hospital is known that way because it figuratively craps all over the nurses. If it's just not as renowned, that to me isn't as important as working in an area I'm interested in with a schedule that works for me.

[Katie82, RN]

As a new nurse, you should be looking for a hospital that has a top-notch orientation program. The trend seems to be a 6-month orientation on a Med/Surg floor. While this may sound less than glamorous, it might make a difference in your career. Sure you have learned by now that nursing students do not experience enough real-time clinical time. A lot of new grads tell me that, while they were opposed at first, it really helped ease them into the "real world". Most quality Magnet-certified hospitals require this. As for quality vs crappy (or do you mean mediocre?), I have worked both. One nice thing about "quality" is that it will build your resume. There are still people who think my time at Johns Hopkins is the highlight of my resume, even though it is far from my favorite job.

[JKL33]

Agree w/ others; it all hinges on what is meant by "crappy." If the basic business plan is constant abuse and expendable employees/high turnover, that's a hard no.

If it's more a matter that the first hospital has a big reputation and the second hospital is a little less glittery and sought-after, then yes, check out the second hospital. See if they can offer a reasonable orientation and have a mindset that is supportive of new nurses.

As for what makes something a high-quality orientation: This is only rightfully distinguished by actual quality--their success at producing well-adjusted, careful, and appropriately knowledgeable nurses who feel supported. Not by sheer length of the orientation or by calling it a residency or by having new nurses do projects or by giving them "opportunities" to float all over so that they are more useful to the business. The place has to be minimally enjoyable, and has to actually care something about its investment. It doesn't matter what they hold themselves out to be, only what they actually do.

[Nurse.Kelsey, BSN, RN]

100% go with the speciality you want. Take what you hear about hopsitals lightly.... I heard so many things in school about a hospital I worked at. Turns out it was a pretty great facility.

[turtlesRcool]

OP, I agree that it's hard to make the call without knowing what makes hospital #2 so "crappy."

Is it just smaller and less prestigious? If so, you might find it more nurturing and with better camaraderie. Sometimes the smaller hospitals do a better job of supporting new nurses.

Is it in a "tough" neighborhood? Sometimes hospitals that largely serve lower income patients have a reputation of being crappy hospitals. While it's sometimes true that they are underfunded and universally true they have to contend with a host of social issues in addition to medical ones, they can be great places to learn.

Is it a hospital known for understaffing and churning through nurses? Like, nurses who have a year's experience will be your preceptors? If so, then it's not worth the risk as a new nurse because you'll be on your own too soon with too little support - not safe for your patients, your license, or your mental health.