Should I take this job offer? Please give me some advice

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I was offered a position today in a wonderful hospital, however it's 2.5 hours drive from where we live. My husband has a job here and it would be a pain to drive that far. Being an old graduate with no experience, it is so hard to get an interview, let alone a job offer. I don't want to let it pass.

I have another interview today with one of the biggest hospitals here in our area, and I really want this job! They told me that they will be making their decisions a week from now.

I am conflicted on what I should do with the first job offer. Should I take it, then turn it down later if I get accepted in the hospital where I want to work? Or should I tell them I need a week to decide? Please help.

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One of the smarter things I have heard in situations like this, counteroffer the salary/benefits with the first job to buy additional time until the second offer comes through.

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No, no, no, Listen to me please. Tell the first job that you will accept the offer. Go with the regular employment process etc. If you get the second job call the first and tell them you're sorry but you've been given an offer you cant refuse and it will allow you to stay closer to home with your husband. Never ever tell a job you need time to think etc because it may come off as though you are unsure or not as interested. The employer may go to the next person on the list and fill your job slot. I have seen countless friends learn this the hard way. Same goes for quitting a current job without being 100% sure you have the new one in hand.

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Umm are we the same person?! No, but seriously I also just accepted a job offer at a hospital today that is a two hour drive from my home, and away from my husband and his job. I will have to rent a place and probably wont be coming back and forth often due to weather conditions and the full-time schedule. There is another hospital close to me that would allow me the luxury of staying home. I am confident I will receive an interview with this preferred hospital because of connections I have made through persistant calling and networking, but with it being the holidays it looks too far out to string the other offer along. Besides, many of my classmates are still without work, and only a small handful of us have been offered hospital jobs so I am trying to tell myself to be thankful, and that this temporary separation is going to make a HUGE difference for me and my husband, as well as our future children... Although I am VERY sad about living away from hubby :(

I don't know what I would do if I were in your shoes but I wish you the best of luck. I would just be cautious of throwing red flags since the reason why so many hospitals are afraid of hiring new grads now is the likelyhood of them abandoning ship when something better/more convenient comes along - and keep in mind that more new grads are coming to the market soon so you don't want to be without a job in case something does happen! I do plan on staying with this hospital for at least a year since they are willing to take me on and train me while many wont, but if you do choose to go with the further hospital you may only have to be there for as little as six months. My offer acceptance was only verbal at this time, and I will not need to sign anything for a few days, if this happens to you you would still have time to withdraw your acceptance for the closer job. Congratulations on the job offer regardless!!! We are in a better boat than many of our fellow new grad nurses :/

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