New Job Dilemma, HELP!

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Specializes in Neuro/Trauma, 66H.

I've always had a lot of respect for many of the people on this forum, and for the advice/opinions they give. So, I figured this would be a good place to come for some help!

To make a long story a little shorter, I graduated in December with my BSN and no prior hospital experience. Finally, after 4.5 months and over 100 apps later, I was offered a part-time position on Monday. The bad part, I'm not exactly excited about it.. I don't have much interest in the unit and its about an hour from home [a long drive for an 8 hour shift on a unit you're not crazy about]. But at this point, I don't have the luxury of being choosey lol.

Now-- Just yesterday I was contacted [via email] by a hospital much closer to home for a full-time position in critical care!! Now critical care is an area I am extremely excited about, and feel honored to have been considered given my lack of experience. They'd like to schedule the interview for this coming week and I can't pass up the opportunity to possibly land my dream job.

So here comes the dilemma...

Orientation for the position I just accepted is schedule to begin this coming week as well, M-F from 0800 to 1515 or 1615 everyday. The drive between the two hospitals is nearly 1.5 hours and there is no way for me to make it to an interview before 1730.. at which time most nurse managers are long gone. My mom has already suggested to pick a day, schedule the interview, and tell my current facility I have an unchangeable appointment and that I need to be excused early from orientation but will make up the time another day if needed.

Has anyone else ever been in this situation before? What would you guys do?

I don't want to burn any bridges in the event I don't get the critical care position, but its an opportunity I just can't pass up. It's a great hospital close to home, and it's a unit I've been trying to get into since before graduation.

As a side note: I was unable to get a hold of the HR recruiter about the interview, so I left a voicemail asking her to contact me as soon as possible and also responded to her email explaining my situation- without saying ive accepted a position, I told her I will be out of town all week and would not be available until after 1730. So now Im just waiting to hear back from her.

Sorry for the lengthy post! But thank you all so much in advance for all your help and advice!! :]

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Specializes in geriatrics.

If you're interested in the position, tell your employer you need a day off for an appointment. You don't really owe them anything this early in the game. Plus, it isn't as though employers are loyal to their employees these days. Ultimately, its your career, and your decision. GL.

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Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.

I agree with your mom. Tell the part time job that you can't start orientation on Monday (or the first day you can interview-I'd schedule your interview as early as possible). Go to the interview and ask when you should expect to have their decision. If you get hired, give your notice to the part time job as soon as possible and be sure to thank them for the opportunity.

I know it sounds like you are being deceitful, but you have to look out for you and your best interests. There are plenty of other people who would accept a part time job and be a good fit. Since you will have just started, you aren't really leaving the other job in a bind or leaving after they have spent money training you.

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Specializes in Neuro/Trauma, 66H.

Thank you both so much for the quick replies! :]

The hospital I just accepted employment at only runs orientations once a month.. my guess is because its a lengthy process [about 1.5 weeks of orienting to the hospital before you even begin orienting on your unit]. So unfortunately, not starting orientation this week isn't an option for me.. but I do agree with you ashepherd, I am going to schedule an interview on the soonest day possible!

I do worry about coming off as deceitful, but I know I definitely do need to look out for myself as it is my career. Im just struggling with how exactly to pull off the orientation and interview in one day!

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Specializes in Health Information Management.

This might be a bit out there - but what about asking to do your interview via Skype? If you own a laptop or netbook, you could pop by a public wi-fi hotspot (for instance, libraries and universities are often wi-fi hotspots) near your orientation site, find a quiet location, and conduct your interview that way.

Now if the interviewer can rework an in-person interview around your orientation schedule, that would obviously be better. However, if that proves to be a problem, you could throw a Skype interview out as an option. If nothing else, it might make you look like you're an innovative type who isn't afraid of new technology! ;)

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Specializes in Med surg, LTC, Administration.

Listen to mom. She is right, you will only miss a portion of the day. I am sure they will accommodate you. Peace!

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Specializes in none yet.

I was in the middle of an orientation when a unit I wanted to work for called me for an interview. I told them I was being oriented to another unit. So I finished orientation, worked and wasn't a good fit. Should have set up an interview with the other unit by taking off orientation. I thought having a for-sure job was better than a possible job. I thought nursing is nursing. I was wrong. Duties are different on different units.

Wish I had asked allnurses before I made my decision.

Let us know how this works out. I push for you to go for the ft interview however you can.

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Specializes in Critical care.

I think if critical care is what you're interested in you will regret not doing the interview and resent working at a place you really don't want to be at. I like the idea your mom said about telling them you have an prior obligation that you are unable to reschedule but that you would be willing to do maybe a half day and make it up at a later time.

Good luck to you!! :)

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Specializes in Neuro/Trauma, 66H.

Babycatcher2be.. I totally agree with you! I know I will be kicking myself in the butt if I just let the chance go. I have every intention of making this interview work out, one way or another I will make it happen. But so far, it seems everyone is agreeing to go with my mom's plan lol

I hate to make bad impressions the first day of orientation, and come off as the person whose always going to be trying to get out of things.. but like someone else said, I need to look out for me and my career too.

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Specializes in Med surg, LTC, Administration.
ah;5125375']Babycatcher2be.. I totally agree with you! I know I will be kicking myself in the butt if I just let the chance go. I have every intention of making this interview work out, one way or another I will make it happen. But so far, it seems everyone is agreeing to go with my mom's plan lol

I hate to make bad impressions the first day of orientation, and come off as the person whose always going to be trying to get out of things.. but like someone else said, I need to look out for me and my career too.

Baby doll, don't you know, MOM always know best! LOL!!! Now listen to your momma. Peace!

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Specializes in Neuro/Trauma, 66H.

Just wanted to post an update on the situation.. luckily everything has worked out in my favor! It turns out that I don't have a free day from orientation until NEXT Friday. But the HR recruiter was really awesome in working with me and is allowing me to come in on my day off.

Heres to hoping for a great critical care interview.. and job offer! I'll post another update later.

Thanks to everyone for all of your advice and support, this is why I LOVE this site! :]

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