Can't Choose Between 2 Residencies

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Dear Nurse Beth,

I'm graduating this month and I have been offered two different residencies. Here are the pros and cons of both place.

Hospital A

ICU - Residency

2 year/10,000 contract

$23.27/hr 8$ extra for overtime

Hospital B

13 Week Residency, then apply to the unit I want after 13 weeks, no guarantee in the ICU

$24.69/hr - time and a half for overtime

no contract.

---

Dear Pros and Cons,

Congrats on having 2 offers!

The difference in salary is $1.42/hr which does amount to about $2,600 per year.

But be sure and look at the other benefits, such as insurance, co-pays, and tuition reimbursement.

A 13-week orientation and a residency are both good, although a residency may offer more structure and supportive components. My bias is towards residency programs for new grads.

If both organizations have good reputations, the deciding factor may be the ICU placement if that is highly important to you.

Also consider:

Is either hospital unionized and what is your preference as far unions?

What is the nurse-patient ratio in ICU and on the units?

What is the nurse turnover? Some places offer more because they are desperate and have retention issues.

I would talk to some employees, if possible, to find out if there is a healthy practice environment. You can also check reviews on Glass Door.

Finally, compare the hospital's performance measures online.

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

Author, "Your Last Nursing Class: How to Land Your First Nursing Job"...and your next!

[ppfd, BSN, EMT-P]

That place with a sign on bonus.

1. You more than likely will have to pay that back if you quit, or get fired.

2. Ask yourself why is this place offering a 10 G bonus? With the supposed "nursing shortage" I always question these big bonuses.

3. I turn these bonuses down. Remember there are always strings attached to "free money". Better to be able to walk away no strings attached!

[beekee]

As a general rule, I don't even apply to any place with hiring bonuses. I view them (rightly or wrongly) as an indication that turnover is rampant, ratios are unmanageable, workloads are untenable, support staff is non-existent, management is non-supportive of nursing, etc. At a minimum, do your due diligence before you sign on the dotted line. If the hospital down the street isn't offering a bonus, you really need to ponder why this place is.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I would choose the job with no contract. I would never want to sign a contract that forced me to stay in a job I wanted to leave. My personal freedom of choice is not for sale.

Think about it ... The reason the other hospital has a sign-on bonus is that they need those things to keep people from leaving. If it were a great place to work, they wouldn't need those things.

[Gentleman_nurse, MSN]

Examine the quality of training between both positions. Some places call it a 'residency' but no education is occurring. Are there didactics outside the usual topics of infection control or documentation? Are there labs or active learning activities or is it all powerpoint. Is there a capstone activity? Are preceptors selected and trained? Do they have a reduced work schedule to mentor?