New nurse, two job offers

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Hey guys! First of all I wanna say that I'm so thankful that I have two job offers as a new nurse. I know how hard it might be for some being a new nurse with no experience to get a job.

Okay so the first offer is a regular medsurg floor, 7am-7pm but the hospital is somewhat far, about 25 miles. I've always wanted morning shifts, I'm a morning person, very energetic and always on the go in the mornings.

The second offer is on an ICU unit, ICU has always been my first choice even since I was in school. I've always loved it. Also, this hospital is about 6 miles away from my house! Awesome right? Only negative part is that it's a 7pm-7am shift, not sure how I'll function at nights :( also, the hospital itself has a very bad reputation. Every time I mention the name, people always have something negative to say about it. I don't know what to do!! I'm so stressed about it because I don't want to regret my decision but I feel stuck. Please help !

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19 miles difference in the commute does not matter.

Starting in ICU is tough, nights will make it even tougher. Learn your skills ..then you will be able handle ICU.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Emergency.

I'd go med surg. Seems like you'd struggle with the ICU job only because of the hours and it seems like the reputation is turning you off too. Med surg is great for time management and skills to get your feet wet and with experience in it you would still open the door for ICU. I'm almost done with my first year as a nurse and I'm really happy with the way I did things, I've learned a lot and developed my skills to where I'd be comfortable going to a different type of nursing when I choose to look for a new job. Good luck to you whatever you choose!

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

If the place has a bad rep...that should give you an idea it might be a miserable place to work. Normally I'd push for the ICU job if you love it, but quality of work environment is huge.

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For the 2 years I worked as a cna etc in a hospital change in my chosen state you could always find me making a crack about how crappy one hospital was. Without fail, you don't like it here imagine working at that hospital etc. So when that hospitals that I spend cracking wise on was my first offer I was so desperate I jumped on it. This hospital has such a negative perception in the community it serves that they call it killer (insert hospital name). Taking that job is the best thing that has ever Happen too me. I've learned so much, I've grown so much, and i can truly save I've changed lives. Wouldn't have it any other way.

That said if you adapt quickly and learn/understand things almost instantly take the icu job.

If you take a little longer to accept change and learn, take the med surg job.

My choice was floating at a hospital, that I worked at as an aide, six minutes from my house or driving 30 minutes to the hospital with the negative rep as a float pool nurse.

That said, I'm a big supporter of app new grads starting out as a floater.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

I'd take the med surg position. If the hospital has a bad rap, I wouldn't want to start my nursing career there & 25 miles isn't that far.

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Oncology.

One way to go about it would be to take the day med surg job at a good hospital and transfer to ICU after getting experience under your belt.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

All the rationales offered by PPs for the MS position sound very much on target for very real reasons. If there's no great major difference between the 2 concerning wages & benefits, it all boils down to a commute versus a NOC shift.

In my observations here on AN, I don't think I've ever seen a poster complain how they made such a terrible job choice that was based on a commute. But we can all see how many folk here have MAJOR, MAJOR problems adjusting to a NOC shift.

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Thank you so much guys!! I think I'm def. going to do the day shift MS and hopefully in a couple of years go into ICU. This was my first comment here and I feel so loved with all your replys! Feels great.. Thank you again :) and about the killer ( hospital name ) woow... Maybe we're even talking about the same hospital!!! Lol xoxo nurses :angrybird5:

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