Oncology Job Offer, but dream interview in HTU/CCU coming up

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Hi nursing friends!! I have a job dilemma. I currently work at a leading academic medical center/level I trauma center in the Chicago land area as a PCT/Student RN. I absolutely LOVE it there and had every intention of staying there as a new grad (I graduated at the end of January, took and passed NCLEX March 7). It has always been a dream of mine, ever since I could remember to work here as an RN. However, they kind of seemed to be in a bit of a hiring freeze and so I started applying to other facilities. Much to my surprise I was contacted my another level I trauma center/teaching hospital for an interview and offered a job rather quickly. However, this position is on an oncology floor (which I really have no interest in, I would just be on this unit to get my year experience and then would probably transfer as soon as I could). It is a great hospital and great company to work for, I just don't want to do oncology nursing. I ultimately want to end up in critical care or trauma at a level I trauma/academic medical center. I know that I shouldn't expect that being a new grad, but I have a really good chance at my current position.

In the meantime, I have an interview at my current position in their HTU/CCU and it is absolutely my DREAM job!! I pray that I get this job! I have told the facility that offered me a job that I needed some time to think, and I was completely honest with them and told them I had one more interview that I would like to complete. Myself and my manager thinks I have a really good shot at getting this job; however, it's obviously not guaranteed. I was floated to their unit (which I NEVER get floated to any of the ICUs) and the nurses absolutely loved me. The charge nurse took time to sit down with me and teach me a lot about rhythms and stuff, and gave me an excellent review, and also made it a point to tell her manager about me. I almost feel like this was fate! ;) However, if I don't get this job, it's back to the drawing board and I'm left torn on whether or not I should accept the other position. I feel that being a new grad, I definitely shouldn't be turning down jobs, but I do have a deep feeling that there is just something better out there for me. The BIG con about this job is that it is only part-time (20 hours per week) and that's a huge hesitation for me as I really want and need to be full-time. I am fortunate enough to have a roof over my head, a current job that I absolutely love and can make some extra money, and my mom, bless her heart, helps me with all my bills. I am perfectly content with continuing to work as a PCT until a position I want becomes available at my current job, but am I making a huge mistake??!! I am honestly so lost, torn, and confused, I truly don't know what to do! Can anyone offer up some advice who has been in this similar situation, or what they would do if they were in my situation?

Thanks so much!! :)

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

You have a job offer...

Go to the interview; see what happens, but I would not turn down a guaranteed job.

That's my two cents.

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I agree with LadyFree28. Do not turn down an RN job. Being an RN is what you want, after all. If you get offered the dream job position after you interview you can always turn down the first offer. But do not turn it down yet.

I can tell you from personal experience: once I turned down a job offer because I had 2 other "dream job" interviews. Didn't get the positions and boy do I regret turning down that guaranteed offer...

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Thanks for your input! I guess let me rephrase this, I've told them I need time to complete this other interview, I just don't know how long the manager at my dream job interview will take to make a decision so in the meantime what do I do since they wanted me to get back to them next week! Do I accept and then quit if I get my dream job offer? I was thinking of accepting and then telling them I need to finish out my current schedule at my current position which would give me until the middle/maybe end of June! I know I'll be offered a job at some point at my current place of employment if I don't get the one I'm interviewing for next week, it's just a matter of when! And like I said, I'm perfectly ok with waiting, I'm really not in a huge hurry to start working cuz I'm enjoying having a life again, being stress free, and I want to have a summer! Lol plus this offer is for a part time position, that's a huge draw back to me I feel! I really do need full time! It sounds like it's their way of getting around paying the full time benefits (health insurance alone would be $150 bi-weekly vs. about $60 for a full time position) plus it sounds like I'd be part time but then they expect me to he available whenever they call to have me pick up extra shifts. :-/

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It sounds like you want to reject the offer. With that in mind, if you could live with yourself if you are not offered a job at your second interview, then go ahead and decline it. Think on it and good luck!

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It sounds like you want to reject the offer. With that in mind, if you could live with yourself if you are not offered a job at your second interview, then go ahead and decline it. Think on it and good luck!

I kind of do, but then am scared that maybe I am making a big mistake! But then on the same hand, I feel that there are better things out there for me. I guess I'll see how it goes next week and go from there since I told the job offer that I was going to let them know after my interview next week. In the meantime, I'm just going to pray, pray like crazy that I get that job, and pray that I find peace of mind and guidance, and that my dream job comes up soon! If this offer was for a full time position, I wouldn't be so hesitant! :-/ but only 20 hours a week is kind of scary! Ugh I don't know, it's hard being a grown up, I do know that! lol

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I understand all of that. I hope your interview goes well and we can skip the hypotheticals and you are offered the job you really want! Good luck!

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Thank you!! I sure hope so too! Maybe I'm just working myself up for nothing and worrying over nothing! Wouldn't be the first time! ;) lol

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
It sounds like you want to reject the offer. With that in mind, if you could live with yourself if you are not offered a job at your second interview, then go ahead and decline it. Think on it and good luck!

This.

Don't screw yourself out of a job in the hopes of getting your dream job; also, you want full-time, but part time comes with benefits? You may have an option of going to full time; you have only the absolute of having A position that can take you places.

Don't make the mistake of not taking a job offer; you will certainly end up her on AN frustrated and venting because that "job" hasn't turned up, year you had one...just sayin'.

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Oncology.

It seems like they want you (the unit that offered the job), so you are in a good bargaining position. Why don't you express your concern about part-time to them? Something along the lines of "I am very excited about this offer, but I have a strong preference for a full time position. Are there any full time opportunities available?" If they say no, tell them OK you will think about it, weigh pros and cons and get back to them. Chances are they might offer you full time. And in that case I would take it. And make your dream job your next step in a year or two. Just my thoughts...Good luck with your decision!

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It seems like they want you (the unit that offered the job), so you are in a good bargaining position. Why don't you express your concern about part-time to them? Something along the lines of "I am very excited about this offer, but I have a strong preference for a full time position. Are there any full time opportunities available?" If they say no, tell them OK you will think about it, weigh pros and cons and get back to them. Chances are they might offer you full time. And in that case I would take it. And make your dream job your next step in a year or two. Just my thoughts...Good luck with your decision!

That's a really good idea! I might try that! I've had 4 interviews now at my current place of employment which I absolutely love and want to stay at so I really think something will turn up! I had the HTU/CCU interview today and I REALLY hope and pray I get it! It def sounds like a challenge, but I'm so excited about it after they told me all the classes I'd be doing! I told them I absolutely love to learn and an constantly reading and looking stuff up and would have no problem with studying on my days off! I'm almost positive I'm gonna decline the part time position. Now the challenge is what to do at my current job should a unit offer me the position before the ICU does, if and when they do. I guess accept and if the ICU offer happens just be completely honest and rescind my offer for the other unit?

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Thanks so much for all your input nursing friends!! I ended up turning down the oncology job cuz I knew in my heart it wasn't for me and I didn't get the NICU or HTU/CCU job butttttt you know how they always say everything happens for a reason?! I think it really does cuz I landed a job in the CVICU where I work!! Woooo hoooo!! ;)

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