Should I consider myself lucky?

Dear Nurse Beth Advice Column - The following letter submitted anonymously in search for answers. Join the conversation!

Updated:  

Nurse Beth,

I am a BSN nursing student scheduled to graduate in December 2021.  My ultimate goal is to become an acute care NP or CRNA.  I am an older student pursuing a second career. I have an MHA and have worked most of my time as an entrepreneur in hc and then in hospital administration as an analyst and department manager. 

Career-wise, my passion is for caring for the patient- hence NP or CRNA. Of course, it all starts with experience in an ICU or critical care unit for a minimum of a year. 

I have read that although there is a nursing side market for nursing positions, this does not necessarily ring true for new grad nurses due to staff mix for seasoned versus new grad nurses.

Here is my question:  I have been offered a position at one of my clinical sites in a cardiac care unit.  The nursing manager approached me and expressed her satisfaction with my work and attitude.  A follow-up email came from her boss and the HR recruiter expressing interest in me once I graduate. 

Of course things circumstances change, but assuming this is a legitimate opportunity at a position, how seriously should I consider the offer?  I planned to move to a totally different market (Houston, TX) once I graduated to work, but my research and reading the comments here indicate my options may be more limited than I thought.  My grades are good and I am sure I will interview well if I am granted one.

Should I consider myself lucky to have the offer and take it to gain experience?  How valuable is experience in a cardiac care unit relative to med/surg or other places where new grads are easily hired? Is it a common occurrence to be offered a position at a clinical site?

Any information or guidance you can provide is greatly appreciated.  My nursing career progression has a time component that most new nurses do not face since I have made it to my forties already. ?  NP/DNP or CRNA will be at least another 3 years training once I start; so time is certainly a consideration and I need to be as time-efficient as I can be.

Share this post

+ Add A Comment

2 Answers

Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

Dear Should I Consider Myself Lucky?

Yes. You should consider yourself lucky.  I say "a bird in the hand is worth two in Houston, Texas".

You had not just one person with hiring authority reach out to you, but three. They want you.  Networking during clinicals and standing out as a student is an excellent way to land a job as a new grad, and you did it. Bravo. You ask if it's normal. Sometimes yes, sometimes no. It all depends on your location.

Nothing's final until it's final, and that's true wherever you go, but there's no reason to think it's not legit. It's a hospital chosen by your college for clinicals, which infers that it's reputable.

Since your end goal is possibly CRNA, going straight to ICU is an expedient fit. There is an age-old debate about whether new grads should go straight to ICU or first go to MedSurg, and it can work out well both ways. I personally see the value of one year of MedSurg, but that doesn't mean I think it's bad to go straight to ICU. It's certainly done all the time.

Again, congrats and good luck!

Nurse Beth

Specializes in NICU.
On 7/2/2021 at 4:56 PM, Nurse Beth said:

NP/DNP or CRNA will be at least another 3 years training once I start; so time is certainly a consideration and I need to be as time-efficient as I can be.

To be competitive for a CRNA program, you will need at least 3-5 yrs ICU experience. Don't expect to be able to get into a CRNA program with little ICU experience.

+ Add a Comment