Please help! Job decision!

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I am a new grad with two offers from the specialty I want to be in. I know a lot of people in different parts of the country would kill for this problem but I live in a growing medical hub city.

I interviewed with the hospital I really wanted to work at, it is bigger, is working towards magnet status, seems to have more employee perks, educational opportunities and pays .74 cents more an hour to start. The manager at that interview told me he had several experienced candidates lined up to fill one open position and to not get my hopes up as soon as we sat down to interview, which made things awkward to say the least. I took him at his word and believed I had no chance.

I interviewed with the second hospital after two weeks. I landed the job on the spot. This is the hospital I did my clinicals at and I can truly say I like the people and the floor. The hiring manager seemed so nice and I felt like she was a caring person. I have not signed an official offer as it was contingent on my background and drug test. The background check just came back and they are only waiting on me to complete my drug screen.

Will I be blacklisted as non rehireable if I back out of the job I accepted. Would the things I wrote about in the first hospital change your decision? Should I stick with job I accepted because of the people even though it pays a little less? I really need advice from experienced nurses. As a new nurse I am so confused and do not want to make the wrong decision!

Thanks to anyone who read all of this :)

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

Well it sounds like you already have a job. Congrats! From interviews I went on before, if they want nurses with experience & you don't have that experience that job is off the table.

But no, you won't be black listed if you get the other job & turn down the one you currently have.

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Well it sounds like you already have a job. Congrats! From interviews I went on before, if they want nurses with experience & you don't have that experience that job is off the table.

But no, you won't be black listed if you get the other job & turn down the one you currently have.

Sorry, I should have been more clear. They called and offered me the job at the first hospital, thus my problem :/ Which I know is a great problem to have but I am literally sick over it. Thanks for the reply!

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

Lol oh well then I would take the offer from one that pays more. If you're not working yet then they haven't spent much money & hiring managers know stuff happens.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
Sorry, I should have been more clear. They called and offered me the job at the first hospital, thus my problem :/ Which I know is a great problem to have but I am literally sick over it. Thanks for the reply!

Lol oh well then I would take the offer from one that pays more & has more benefits. If you're not working yet then they haven't spent much money & hiring managers know stuff happens. It would be harder if you were already started on orientation. It would be harder for me to quit a job I just started to go to another job. But congrats on two job offers!!!

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

What is the nurse patient ratio for each unit and what is the charting like? Which shift are you being offered? I would not be hung up on 74 cents more or less an hour. Be really sure that everything on first unit checks out just like second unit that you are familiar with that has great staff and manager. You need a supportive environment as a new grad and can always switch to top hospital later on. I would definitely ask to shadow at first hospital to get a better feel for unit.

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Specializes in MICU, SICU, CICU.

The first year is incredibly stressful even in the best environment. The question to ask yourself is which management culture is most supportive of graduate nurses? Which hospital will invest the most time in you to teach you how to apply your knowledge? The length and quality of your orientation should be a primary consideration as well as the nurse to patient ratio.

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Thank you this really helps! The orientation, preceptor time, class time since it is critical care, and nurse to patient ratio are similar in both hospitals but at the first I would have a dedicated "educator" that would start rounding on me from the beginning for the next 6 months. At the first I would be dedicated to the MICU floor; at the second I would have an opportunity to float to neuro and trauma areas. Not sure if that is good or bad honestly. As a newbie I feel like exposure to different floors would be good to see different things but I know that nurses usually don't like to be floated. Also the second hospital is a level 1 trauma center the first is level 2. Also, not sure how much that should play into my decision.

I guess my biggest question at this point is-Would magnet status factor into your decision at all?

I know it is supposed to mean that the nurses have better satisfaction and resources but I am also aware that things aren't always as they seem in the nursing world.

Thank you all for the help, I feel like I am deciding the rest of my life here lol.

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Specializes in MICU, SICU, CICU.

Magnet status does not impress me at all. I would absolutely choose the hospital that is a teaching hospital, unionized and has a Defined Benefit (traditional pension) Plan in which you are vested after five years.

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Unfortunately no unions in my area yet. :(. One does have a better matching 401k matching program though no pensions around here either.

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Specializes in MICU, SICU, CICU.

Maybe you should approach this as you would choosing a Nursing program. It is in truth the fifth year of your nursing education. Only you know if you have the maturity to withstand a rigorous program that requires extensive studying or if you need a more personal warm and fuzzy environment.

Does either education department have a sim lab incorporated in to the CC program? How many MSN educators are in the professional development department and per unit? I would lean toward whichever Medical Center has the most in depth and rigorous CC residency.

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Yes the first hospital the one that offered me a job second does! . They have way more educational opportunities from what I understand.

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