new nurse thinking of leaving hospital job

[n1wgmp]

I've been a nurse for 6 months now and landed an amazing job right out of school in the Cardiac ICU at a local hospital. During my orientation my preceptors and managers said I was exceeding expectation left and right and couldn't believe how well I was doing. They asked me if I would be interested in working day shift and of course I jumped right on it! (new grad nurses automatically get sent to night shift to get their experience and "feet wet", there hasn't been a new graduate nurse sent directly to days in over 10 years from what my managers say)

So needless to say, I lucked out and got the day shift job, a great schedule and everything. My managers are great, the nurses around me are extremely supportive and helped, I love every single one of them. I am happy with where I am at. Some days are extremely stressful but others aren't and I really enjoy my work. I do dislike working 12 hour shifts though.

However...I am a little disappointed with the hospital itself. They have went back on their word twice now concerning raises. When I was first hired and at 6 months. I was "promised" a $1 raise and now they have cut it to .50 now so thats been sitting in the back of my mind for some time. It was kind of like, they told me all the things I wanted to hear in order to get us nurses to work there, and now its like they are going back on their word because I already work for them. The hospital is all about saving money and won't hire more nurses even though we are all short staffed.

I was recently approached by one of the top cardiologists and asked to be his personal nurse (they have their own nurses that work with them in the clinic and rounding with them in the hospital). The job would be Mon-Fri 8 hour days, no weekends, no on call, paid holidays off and paying $12,000 more/year that what I am at now.

At first, in my head I was like "oh of course not, no way I would ever leave my job, I love what I do"

However... the idea keeps lurking in the back of my mind and I cannot seem to shake it. In the long run, it would be optimal for me. I knew I wasn't going to be at the bedside forever when I started nursing but I figured I would get 5 years or so. My husband and I are newlyweds and we plan on having kids here within the next 2 years, so an office job would be the best in that situation, plus that is the schedule he works now as well.

The job pays more money, a better schedule, and in the long run would be something I've always wanted. The opportunities to work for a good doctor like this are hard to come by and I don't want to be passing up an opportunity that may not come along again.

However, I only have 6 months experience and I'm still extensively learning every single day and do not want to hinder my future opportunities by quitting so soon after graduation.

I feel as if it would look unprofessional and if I ever wanted to go back to the hospital I may not be able too.

If anyone has any advice about this, please! I'm all ears :)

[floridaRN38]

Can you go per diem at the hospital? And also work for the cardio?? Sounds like an awesome opportunity. If u keep thinking about it u should do it.

[martymoose, BSN, RN]

Obviously the cardiologist thought you were qualified.

I'd take it. That kind of opportunity is like winning the lottery. ( unless the cardiologist is a jerk)

Staying perdiem sounds like a good idea ( if they will let you) so you still keep your foot in the door. That way , if the cards job doesnt work out , maybe they'll let you come back.But if the cards job does work out, you can slowly move away from the per diem job.

Good luck.

[Neural]

I'd take that in a heartbeat.

It's a very prestigious job, and at the very least, would look terrific on a resume.

[Libby1987]

You have a dr willing and able to pay that much more than hospital wages?

Do you know anyone else who has performed in this position?

The fact that they are offering what seems pretty amazing to a brand new grad nurse, when they've had a ton of nurses probably ready to jump at such great hours and pay, makes me suspect of the hours you'll be working.

[kaylee.]

Were you underpaid at the hospital? Will the salary increase of $12k at the Dr office put you where you should be in terms of salary at the hospital? Find out what the contract with this new job would be, just because you dont want to be in the same scenario at the new place with stagnant wages...

[RNperdiem, RN]

If something sounds too good to be true, then a little more research is in order.

Find some of these personal nurses. How much are they making? Exactly what is involved? Is the pay really that good?

[Barnstormin' PMHNP]

I agree with the above posters, I would be very careful to get everything in writing from the Dr. as far as hours, insurance, expectations etc. I would also sound out a few of the nurses you trust about the offer, as long as you can be sure they will keep your confidence until you are ready.

[n1wgmp]

Thank you all for your responses!

Staying per diem at the hospital is a good idea, however the clinic is hiring a full time employee, so the only available days to work at the hospital would be saturday or sunday. Which is doable, if there aren't any requirements as to how many per diem shifts I would have to work in a month.

Working at the hospital I get paid about 42,000 per year when it all comes down to it. Which is the same as any of the hospitals in the area. I was talking to some of the other clinic nurses and they say the same thing, the office pays more. About 54,000/year. However, this is all heresy of course until I talk to the HR department of the cardiac group.

The cardiologist is very persistent about me working for them and continues to ask me if I've applied for the position yet and keeps telling me to go into the office and talk to the HR lady about it.

I was thinking about going in the office this week and speaking with them about the pay, benefits etc. and maybe submitting a resume.

Do you guys think if I left the hospital job and ever wanted to go back later, or even moved to a different city that it would be hard for me to get hired into a hospital only have the 6 months experience as a new grad?

Thank you all so much you are very helpful!

[chacha82, ADN, BSN]

If you are thinking of returning to the hospital setting in the future, I would stay at your current position for at least a year. And I would echo what has already been said; you need more information about this job before leaving the job you have.

6 months experience as a new grad is a bare minimum expectation and most competitive hospital jobs now desire a year or two years when they look at candidates. My orientation was three months for my hospital floor job. 6 months experience would mean I had only worked on my own as a nurse for three months before leaving the floor. That just isn't much experience.

[mindofmidwifery, ADN]

Could you ask him if you'd be offered the same opportunity in 6 months? Or if it needs filled ASAP? The opportunity sounds amazing but that year of experience is vital

[brandy1017, ASN, RN]

If you like him and want to work for him go ahead, just make sure the job comes with health insurance!