Hello, I am a recent graduate and new to this site. I recently took and passed my NCLEX in November, started applying for positions in December, went on my first interview two weeks ago and was just offered the job. However, it is not the right position for me and I already know this going into the trenches.
I live in Michigan where the economy is horrible and jobs are scarce. If there is still a nursing shortage, it is tough to tell by the limited positions which are available here. I know how fortunate I am to have been given an opportunity at all, yet I know from the onset that this is just not a good fit.
As a new grad, I was (am) seeking a Medical/Surgical position where I can pay my dues and gain valuable work experience so that in 2 years I can move on to Hospice, where my passion and enthusiasm lies. I was lucky enough to be offered a position which is on a Rehabilitation Unit working with complex Medical/Surgical patients. It was supposed to be a 3 day a week, 8 hour position (24hr week) job. However, since the interview HR has notified me that it is a 32-36 hour a week job and will require a 4-5 day commitment.
During the interview, the Nurse Manager told me herself that the floor has a lot of problems, and the hospital system is being bought out by an outside company (and a lot of changes will be made soon). She went on to say that the Nurse Aides are in a union and well protected. She said that most of them have been there forever and they are very lazy and know how to work the system. She said most of the time when you need an Aide that they can not be found and will not answer their phones. She told me that if I was not assertive and persistent that they would "eat me alive". She went on to tell me that she has some current issues with nurses as well, who are letting things go, such as dressing changes and teaching plans. Her intentions at this point are to bring new blood to the floor and staff it with people who will work together well. She obtained permission to hire three new nurses, all new grads, and I am one of those new grads. Orientation will last three months with a preceptor. After six months I can be floated to other floors, if the need arises.
At any rate, I am a new grad who did very well in school. I was in the top 3% of my class AND I will be the first one to admit that I feel completely incompetent and totally unprepared for real world nursing. Nursing school did not even begin to touch the surface of everything I really needed to learn. I can't start an IV, am unfamiliar with most equipment, can barely read an EKG strip, and have never had the opportunity to do many nursing procedures.
I had hoped to work part-time (to begin with) so that I could reserve my time off for researching and in-depth studying all the new things that I was going to be introduced to in my career as a RN. I want to be good at my job and I know my limitations. I know that I will require many hours researching all those things I did not learn in school, yet am expected to know in the field.
I am quite conflicted as to what to do. I am not sure if I should accept this position and pray for the best or if I should keep looking for a better fit? I would be ever so grateful to hear from new and seasoned nurses about the importance or lack of importance of finding the right fit. As a new grad, I expect to be overwhelmed and expect to have bad days, however I don't want to be so overwhelmed that I end up quitting after 6 months and hating nursing forever. Yet, jobs are scarce here and there is no guarantee that I will find another right away. Any advice or opinions for a new grad trying to make the right choice.
Further, I don't want to be unfair to my new employer. I don't want to waste their time and money training me if I plan to leave for a better offer/fit.
What is the most professional, responsible thing to do?
I was offered two jobs on the same day and they were both not really what i want. I think you should go with your gut feeling unless you really need this job.
I mean I took a job that i didn't really want but i started to kind of like it. Sadly it didn't last too long because all the crap i'm given ... i feel like i should have just listened to myself in the first place and not applied. Pay is great but working 5days a week then coming home feeling like I hate where i am...it just...takes alot out of you.
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I was offered two jobs on the same day and they were both not really what i want. I think you should go with your gut feeling unless you really need this job.
According to post #22, the original poster ended up taking the job and is loving it so far.
To the OP: thank you for revisiting this discussion to give us a much-needed update! I am pleased that you are enjoying your new job.
Over a year later and I can happily post I still love my job and hospital. There have been bad days, there have been terrible patients, there have been tense moments with co-workers, but overall the good far outweighs the bad.
If you feel this position is above and beyond your nursing skills then pass on it. It only takes one mistake (depending on policy,facility, and seriousness of error) to loose your license.
**oops, just realized the original post was in January. Kinda late on my part.
***Double ooops, just realized the original poster replied over a year later. lol Sorry!!! BUT good for you!!!!!! So happy it all worked out!!
I must say that no new grad will come out of NS thinking they've mastered all the skills necessary to become an RN. Most of these skills you learn and master by repetition. It is surprising the NM was so forthcoming with you. Honest and straight-foward NM's can be few and far between.
Part-time jobs are pretty rare and on top of being a new grad you may be looking quite a while for that perfect job. I suggest trying it, you can always give some excuse like your family needs you at home etc and give notice.
Try looking at this differently. Instead of all the negative aspects consider the positive. What great time management skills you'll learn, manage conflict with peers, be assertive, learn critical conversational skills, be an awesome mentor to new hires, be the change you would like to see. Good luck with what works for you!
ETA:Argh! now I see this thread is a year old, this new format seems more difficult.
NguyenRN
6 Posts
I was offered two jobs on the same day and they were both not really what i want. I think you should go with your gut feeling unless you really need this job.
I mean I took a job that i didn't really want but i started to kind of like it. Sadly it didn't last too long because all the crap i'm given ... i feel like i should have just listened to myself in the first place and not applied. Pay is great but working 5days a week then coming home feeling like I hate where i am...it just...takes alot out of you.