What to Look for When Seeking your FIRST Job

Nurses Career Support

Published

I'm scheduled to finish nursing school in June and I'm starting to arrange interviews for my first position. I know it's in MY best interest to take a position on a med/surg floor. My final med/surg rotation was on an ortho floor and I REALLY liked the nursing and support staff (I have found that you can often judge a floor by how nice their unit clerks are). Considering I spent eight weeks there, I feel confident that I would like working there. If I agree to work on this floor for two years, they will give me $2,000 under the guise of tuition reimbursement. I'm reluctant to accept the money because I may want to explore something different during the second year of my two-year committment. Should I interview for this floor and commit to them or should I interview on other floors at other facilities? Thanks!

Can you go on some other interviews prior to making the decision?

I could interview for numerous positions. The health system has multiple hospitals, etc. and 40,000 employees. I am in my fifth rotation (with two more to go) and I didn't like any of the other four rotations enough to work on any of those floors. A short tour and an interview with the unit director of an unfamiliar floor cannot compare to having spent eight weeks on a floor, right? I just wonder if I shouldn't take advantage of an opening on a floor that I like and commit to it. I'm not sure about taking the $2,000 and committing to that floor for two years. How do I explain declining the money without essentially saying I want to keep my options open after the first year and giving the impression that I may move on (just as I get into a groove)? Thanks!

Specializes in ED, Pedi Vasc access, Paramedic serving 6 towns.

I graduate in May and I was thinking it was too early to apply for jobs. How soon should you apply???

swtooth

Specializes in ICU.

$2,000 seems like an very small amount to me for a two year commitment. If you do take the job and leave before the 2 years is up, would they ask you to repay the $2,000? If so, you could just put it away in a savings account and not spend it so you have it available if you want to leave.

Meloney,

The health system paid for my education. So, that's why I owe them the two years. The $2,000 is icing on the cake. I'm afraid to accept a job too early because I don't know what my remaining rotations, peds/ob and psych, will be like. At the same time, based on my individual stregths and interests, I think a year on a med-surg floor is a good place to start.

+ Add a Comment