My dream came true this week!!! I have always wanted to be a NICU nurse and now I will be!!! I was offered a job in the NICU at my #1 choice of hospitals!!! I am very excited! The interview process was very very very long (3 months from applying to getting an offer!!) and I was so anxious to get an offer, when the nurse recruiter called, I said I wanted to work there. She said she would be sending me a letter soon with all the info in it about hours, salary, etc. I'm assuming this is something I will sign and return to make the offer official????
However, the next day I had an interview at another hospital clear across the state and decided it was rude to cancel the day before so I went anyways. So of course today, the day after that interview, I got another offer in that NICU!!!! I informed the recruiter that I have another offer from my home area and would like a few days to think it over. After all, it is a big move in that I will have to relocate 4 hours away with my fiance in tow as well! She understood so now I have until Tues to call her back.
Now I am torn! Do I stay with the first offer or go for the 2nd? There are so many pros and cons, I don't know what to do! The first hospital I will be doing my senior practicum in the NICU step-down unit so I will be able to learn about the hospital, charting, etc. The pay is GREAT for a new grad though it is salary, I have to work 40 hours/week, not 36, and it is a 2 weeks days and 2 weeks nights rotation (2 8-hr shifts and 2 12-hr shifts). The hospital is also great, one of the best children's hospitals in the country....as well as their NICU. They are getting a new high-tech NICU next summer/fall. Also it is only about an hour away from home now. I would still move but will be close to friends/family.
The 2nd hospital is not a children's hospital but is noted for its L&D and NICU. I loved the NICU but the overall hospital I didn't like as much...much diff from the hospitals at home. The NICU is unique, larger than the first hospital and continuing to add more beds but does not keep any surgical babies such as GI surgeries, heart, etc. They say they have a top rated NICU but haven't found any stats yet. The starting pay (hourly) is lower, but they do offer shift diff which makes it similar to the first. The offer is a nights only shift, 36 hours/week. Also, after my 12 week preceptorship/orientation, I can agree to work nights for 2 years and get paid a bonus throughout the 2 years. So after my 12 wk orientation, I can make $2 more/hr than hospital #1. I would also have to relocate 4 hours from home...though I have no problem moving!!!
Which do I chose? Is it wrong to turn down the 1st hospital...I did just get the offer 3 days ago. I think that the 1st hospital would help my career if I decide to move out of state someday because it is rated among the top children's hospitals in the country so that may look good to future employers. However, I would love to move to the 2nd hospital because of better weather and a new fresh start. I also liked that although the 2nd hospital was interviewing tons of people, the nurse mgr wanted me and called me the next day...they are also letting me have 1st pick between 2 job options (though both nights). She was very helpful during the interview such as giving me insight as to what areas are best to live in and I could tell she saw my drive for NICU and potential. I also like that she is very involved in orientation, adds many components to it, re-orients people again like 6 months after hire and provides a mentor after the 12 week preceptor, however I worry if I will be able to do all nights. Or would the rotating days/nights at hospital #1 be too much? I love hospital #1 as well though!!!
I am so confused! I think I should stay with offer #1 and stay close to home but part of me says to move and venture out to a new city! Sorry this is so long. Any advice would be great!!!!
