Seeking advice! Which ER as new grad in NYC, Public or Private Hospital?

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

Hello NY ER Nurses! I'm a new graduate nurse who's been given TWO amazing opportunities. I've been offered positions at both a great, private hospital (Level 1 Trauma Center) and a renowned, public hospital (also Level 1 Trauma Center) in the ER and I don't know which one to take and would love some advice!

Things to consider:

Private-->Start off caring for inpatient patients who came through ER and are already admitted. This means I don't really get to be a "real" ER nurse until after a year or so, when I get to transition to ER. But, I get good med-surg training and a guaranteed ER staff position after a year. Kushy benefits and amazing salary. Nights position. Three month orientation.

Public-->No inpatient nursing. Immediately get to go into ER (with a 6 month training/orientation) Get to rotate through all parts of emergency department (Adult, Pediatric, Psych, AND TRAUMA ICU!! (which I'm really excited about because I want to eventually do critical care). Downsides are: I'm told that they're understaffed and nurses are STRESSED. This scares me. Will nurse/patient ratios be so high that I can't learn effectively? Or will the stress make me learn even more? Another negative is that the salary is significantly less because it's a state hospital vs. private. That doesn't concern me as much.

I want a place where I can learn a ton and get great exposure. But I don't want to hate my job. What do you think? I feel like I'll be babied at the private hospital and slowly move my way to trauma but at public hospital, I'll immediately be thrown to the wolves. I'm leaning toward public, but am nervous I'll be too overwhelmed, overworked to appreciate it. Let me know what you think!

Thanks!

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I'd go for babied and having quality training over stressed and in over your head any day as a seasoned nurse, much less a new grad.

Don't confuse poor working and learning conditions with excitement and pushing yourself.

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Specializes in Critical care.

I'd go for the private. You can always find a position at the public hospital down the line once you've gained experience.

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Specializes in Critical care.

Plus, if they are really short staffed I don't know that I would trust them to really give you the full 6 months of orientation. They wouldn't be the first place to cut short orientation for the sake of staffing needs (even if the nurse should have more time on orientation).

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I'd pick the private over the public, too. You don't want to be a new grad in an understaffed ER.

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

thanks! i think you're right. will be accepting the private hospital position!

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

thanks! i think you're right. will be accepting the position at the private hospital.

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Hi,

I am a soon to be new graduate and I was wondering if you could provide more info on how you received 2 ER jobs offers? Can you share your credentials? Anything would be a great help, thanks! Also, good luck on your new job! It sounds like an amazing opportunity :)

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

Hey @aaj004! Yes no problem!

I graduated Dec 2017 from an accelerated second degree BSN program in NYC. After my first degree, I worked in several different healthcare settings including research, women's health, and two years in an emergency department as a scribe. Nursing school gpa was 3.85. I did a geriatric fellowship with extra MICU clinical placement and worked as a Nursing Companion during school. The hospital where I work as a nursing companion offered me a job in the ER after I got in contact with the recruiter who was in charge of hiring for all ER positions. Scheduled an interview with her, then she invited me to an ER interview event after which I got the offer. For the public hospital, I literally just cold emailed a random recruiter and attached my resume. Got a call a few days later and was invited to interview in the ER.

My advice: Do as much extracurricular stuff as you can during school to make connections and to give yourself a leg up. Managers liked all the nursing/health related things I did that were outside the program's basic requirements. Additionally, email people!! Don't just apply to online postings. Apply to them AND get in contact with recruiters in any way possible (cold email, cold call, ask them to refer you to other recruiters, etc). You'll get there!! Let me know if you have any other questions.

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Thank you so much for replying sassRN117!

I believe i have a decent amount of experience (ive had two NA jobs, and I also currently work on an ambulance). My gpa is only a 7.75 however I still think that is competitive. I have a few other questions that I would like to ask but I would like to PM you if possible. Again, thank you so much for replying, and good luck with your job! I get so annoyed when people say new grads dont belong in the ER. I know we are capable (:

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

Your stats are amazing! I don't think you'll have any problems landing a job in the ER. Yes, happy to PM!! New to allnurses and not sure how to do that? I just friend requested you, but I don't see how to message you.

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

Just tried to PM you back aaj004, but apparently I haven't posted enough "quality topics" to use the private messaging feature. I can see your PMs though. PM me your email, and we can communicate that way!

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