RNJen2011

I forgot to mention, that I notified the surgical residency that I would not be able to go forward. Another position fit my current circumstances better. And to add clarity, I received a call to interview for the medical acute position between the surgical offer and waiting for the non-clinical offer.

Congrats first of all on being able to start your new career soon after graduation. I wish all of my fellow new grads the best of luck. I graduated in December 2011. I was blessed to have had a job 2 months after graduation, as well. I am now changing organizations. I interviewed for a surgical residency and a non-clinical position. I continued looking. I was offered the surgical residency, and tentatively accepted, with a start date almost a month off. A week later I was offered the non-clinical position and in the meantime I received a call to interview for a medical acute residency! Yes, I am thankful that I have been given so many leads and opportunities. I accepted the non-clinical position which starts in about 2 wks, and will see if the Medical Acute offers me a position before that start date. Which brings me to your dilemma. What if I start the non-clinical position and am offered the clinical position? Do I leave? My advice to you, and I've been around for awhile, this is my 2nd career, take your dream job. I don't know if you are under a probation period, but if so, remember they can release you without reason too. It goes both ways. Be courteous and gracious. Let them know with true sincerity that you apologize but you have been given another opportunity which you feel more suited for. That you even ask for advice shows character. You have been there for such a short period, and if you stay at the new facility for any length of time, the first job will not be pertinent to the resume. You will, however, need to include it on any background checks. I have left a job off my already lengthy resume and explained the above. It didn't add anything to my skillset. I can't answer my own question yet :-) Best of luck to you! and Congrats again.

Wish I had seen your post sooner. Kaiser doesn't hire new grads - you must have at least a year of experience. I believe it is part of their collective bargaining agreement. Do a search of NorCal hospitals and you will find there are many outside of what you have already listed. That's how I found Dameron Hospital. In fact, Dameron Hospital just opened an RN residency program with a filing date by July 24th. It's located in Stockton, and is a stand-alone acute care facility. Good luck!

This thread could not have come at a more opportune time. I have been given the opportunity to work as a case manager and stay local (CA) making the same salary as I did on the med surg floor or moving out of state for an OR RN residency making almost 45% less. The cost of living is less but not by that much. I have been debating whether or not I should take the CM position or OR - wondering what the future holds for either of them. I worry if I choose to go back into clinical nursing will being a CM for 2 yrs stifle those chances? What I do like is there are certifications for CM and programs in Health Advocacy. My patients will be members of the military. Reading these posts have really helped. I've been doing a lot of research about both positions and other RNs opinions of them. I spent 12 yrs filing government healthcare reports for hospitals throughout CA and my Letters of Recommendation commend my critical thinking skills, which I think will be helpful in CM. Thanks again for posting your thoughts, advice and opinions. Truly appreciated.

Forgot to add! UC Berkeley Extension campus has Professional Program in Health Advocacy and courses in Public Health and Health Management. They aren't on line but thought it might be useful for CMs.

So thankful that I found this information on here, even though it is a year old. I have been offered a CM position with only 3 months of Medical Surgical floor experience (but I have to count nursing school too!) and wondered whether or not it was a path I should follow. I know that only I will know that answer. Prior to going to nursing school, I filed governement required healthcare reports for hospitals and health systems for 12 yrs. What I like about case management is the teamwork that is still involved and being able to review all aspects of a patient's health treatments. I still get to work with patients, and as much as I loved my patients, I soon learned in floor nursing that there isn't much time beyond the tasks. Thanks again for the advice and links.