Should I take the first job offer?

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Hello everyone,

I'm currently in a dilemma and I am in dire need of your advice.

I am an inexperienced nurse who passed the NCLEX-RN exam 2 weeks ago. I graduated in 2009, which means I am an "old" fresh grad, which means finding a job is even more challenging. I really want to work in a hospital setting. This is my dream. Thinking that it would take me a months to a year before I can land my first job, I didn't want to miss any opportunity, so I've applied to every RN job where I'm qualified, hospital and non-hospital. I was surprised that I got 2 job offers in 2 weeks, one 3 hour drive away, and the other is just around the area, but both of these positions are non hospital positions. We would rather not move, so the 3 hour drive is out. Now I'm confused whether to take the other job, or wait for a better one. It's only been 2 weeks since I started applying, so I'm hopeful a hospital position would come, but at the same time I'm scared that I would not get any other job offer? Should I take this position? Please help.

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What is it?

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YES!! You have no idea how lucky you are!! Most grads would die for a call back let alone 2 job offers in 2 weeks. Continue to look for a hospital job but get yourself some experience!!

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Specializes in NICU, telemetry.

I would definitely take it! You never know in this economy when/if you will get the shot at another. It could be another few months. Not to sound negative, but it's a possibility. Any experience at all would be beneficial to you. I would take the job and keep applying. If you're offered an interview in somewhere you're interested in working, take the interview, and then if you still want the job, take the job if you're offered! But doing some kind of nursing work is better than no kind of nursing work at all...even if you only end up staying there for a few months or so.

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I couldn't agree more with the last 2 posters! I graduated in May passed the NCLEX in Aug, I really wanted a hospital job but was offered 2 jobs at SNF's. One was per diem which I took until I was offered a 32 hr a week position as an admitting nurse- not my dream job either but I WILL get experience and I will be able to add to my resume "currently working as a nurse". Good Luck

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Tough one. In your case, I would lean towards "Yes, take it" because of the fact that you haven't had a job since you graduated 3 years ago: you are ineligible for many new grad programs because of your graduation date AND for the rest of the jobs, you have to compete with a fresh new crop of grads q3 months who an employer may decide to choose over you because their school skills are more recent.

Besides, no one says you can't keep job hunting while you are working. And there are some new grad programs whose defining criteria is experience and not time elapsed--keep looking for those as well.

Good luck!

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Specializes in ED.

I agree with the above threads. Take it for now but continue to look.

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OMG I can so relate to you! I am a foreign graduate batch 2010 and passed last August this year. we have the same goals! I also got a job offer but it was a nursing home facility and....4-5hrs drive away T____T/

what state are you licensed btw?

Hello everyone,

I'm currently in a dilemma and I am in dire need of your advice.

I am an inexperienced nurse who passed the NCLEX-RN exam 2 weeks ago. I graduated in 2009, which means I am an "old" fresh grad, which means finding a job is even more challenging. I really want to work in a hospital setting. This is my dream. Thinking that it would take me a months to a year before I can land my first job, I didn't want to miss any opportunity, so I've applied to every RN job where I'm qualified, hospital and non-hospital. I was surprised that I got 2 job offers in 2 weeks, one 3 hour drive away, and the other is just around the area, but both of these positions are non hospital positions. We would rather not move, so the 3 hour drive is out. Now I'm confused whether to take the other job, or wait for a better one. It's only been 2 weeks since I started applying, so I'm hopeful a hospital position would come, but at the same time I'm scared that I would not get any other job offer? Should I take this position? Please help.

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