WhenInRome

I guess I will preface this entire post by saying I had a job offer with the Neuro ICU I completed my senior practicum with. I declined this offer as it was contractually a long term commitment and I do not align with the values of that particular hospital system compared to other hospital systems in the city area. It was a early offer and I was waiting to hear back from the other hospitals I had applied to in which I really wanted to work. I am wondering at this point if this was a regretful move... I declined because I thought I was a top candidate for other critical care new graduate residency programs in the area with better reputations and values I align with. I went to the top nursing program in the state, graduated summa cum laude and top of the class, did research at my top choice academic hospital, worked as an ER Tech for 3 years at some of the best Trauma 1/academic facilities in CA, completed senior practicum in the ICU, have a BS and a BSN now, have all this international volunteer experience, been published... etc. etc. etc. So this morning I was a bit shocked to hear from my absolute top choice employer when I received the generic "Thank you for your interest in our new graduate residency program. We decided to choose other candidates that best align with our needs" type of e-mail that goes out to everyone that were not selected. Our nursing program was even affiliated and on campus with this hospital and was considered a bridge into their new graduate residency program. Not to say that I was expecting them to hand me a position here by any means... I was just a bit shocked watching my nursing class colleagues receive interviews and then I receive that email this AM. Is anyone else in this same boat? Has anyone else been in this same position? Now I feel like I'm regretting declining the offer that wasn't the best fit for the next 2 years. I don't know why I was rejected .. trying to be positive and keep studying for the NCLEX and take in the new years on good feet. Oh yeah.. also those looming out of state tuition student loans .... ahhhhh