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!
They also may have much higher standards of competency for all of their staff. I have worked at only one teaching hospital that required all of the staff to to take the PACEP which is the Pulmonary Catheter Education Project every year. Go review that online. You must be highly motivated to be successful at this level.
They also may have much higher standards of competency for all of their staff. I have worked at only one teaching hospital that required all of the staff to to take the PACEP which is the Pulmonary Catheter Education Project every year. Go review that online. You must be highly motivated to be successful at this level.
I am highly motivated!! So would this be a good thing or a bad? My heart and soul is in critical care and I want to be a CCRN as soon as possible.
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.
I like this answer. I think I would lean towards the most rigorous program since I want to be the best I can. Thank you icuRNmaggie!!!!
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.
If you have your BSN, magnet should not make a big difference. If a hospital is trying to get magnet, there can be stress ahead. There are plenty of good hospitals without magnet status.
As far as level 1 vs level 2 trauma and floating as a new grad. Floating is hard as a new grad, but you do get great exposure. MICU patients are very sick with multiple things going on. Neuro patients are hard to deal with, may not progress, and can be combative. Do you want to work in a trauma ER one day? You will see a lot at level 1 trauma center. However, I think a dedicated educator trumps all of the above.
If you have your BSN, magnet should not make a big difference. If a hospital is trying to get magnet, there can be stress ahead. There are plenty of good hospitals without magnet status.
As far as level 1 vs level 2 trauma and floating as a new grad. Floating is hard as a new grad, but you do get great exposure. MICU patients are very sick with multiple things going on. Neuro patients are hard to deal with, may not progress, and can be combative. Do you want to work in a trauma ER one day? You will see a lot at level 1 trauma center. However, I think a dedicated educator trumps all of the above.
I would definitely be interested in trauma one day but at this point as long as its's critical care I'm in heaven! The point about an educator is huge. I think my decision is being made here. OMG thank you allnurses!
Your posts keep referencing the first hospital more than the 2nd so go with that one..as others have said don't let the Magnet status or lack thereof be a factor at all..I've worked at hospitals that have Magnet and those that don't..never really saw a difference..
You're right I think my heart is with the first one, I think I just feel guilty since I accepted the job with the second hospital and really like the manager. I just don't want to burn bridges before I get started :/
You're right I think my heart is with the first one, I think I just feel guilty since I accepted the job with the second hospital and really like the manager. I just don't want to burn bridges before I get started :/
So you already accepted offer at second hospital? Didn't realize that...
No replayment plan/contract at either one. The only thing the first one wants is an 18 month commitment to stay in MICU/SICU due to how much it costs to train and educate a new nurse to critical care. They did not mention a penalty if I didn't I guess it is more of a good faith thing.
Also I verbally accepted the job at the second hospital contingent on background/drug screen. Have not received an offer letter or signed anything yet. Not sure if that matters on how easy it would be to withdraw with no consequences. I definitely want to leave the door open there as these are the only two hospitals in my area.
The first hospital gave me the ok to think it over and give them my decision on Monday.
Do either of these hospitals seem to have a high number of travelers or agency nurses working? Are there support staff? Are the nurses working at either facility happier? It is so hard to tell what it is really like until you are an insider. Do you know which charting system either hospital uses? Unit culture and happy people are high on my list.
It is very likely that these ICU managers know each other professionally. How you handle this will be discussed at some point so you must be absolutely truthful.
I would, after receiving an offer with a start date, contact the first manager to say " I never thought that this hospital would be interested in me because they had experienced candidates for the position. I never dreamed that I would be so lucky as to have two opportunities become an ICU nurse. I am very sorry that I can not accept the position. My long range goal is to work in (trauma, transplant, research ) I feel it is where I am meant to be. "
Again, you must be sincere and completely honest about your goals and aspirations.
Do not burn this bridge. Thank her for all of her time. And if she is gracious to you, thank her for being understanding. You will cross paths at some point in the future at a conference or other event, as colleagues, and you must be able to face her knowing that you handled this with integrity.
icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN
1,970 Posts
They also may have much higher standards of competency for all of their staff. I have worked at only one teaching hospital that required all of the staff to to take the PACEP which is the Pulmonary Catheter Education Project every year. Go review that online. You must be highly motivated to be successful at this level.