New Grad Terrified of Choosing Wrong Job

Take one of your current offers. It doesn't mean you can't eventually get the job you want. The first year of nursing is rough whether you're in your favorite area or not. The important thing is to get some experience. I thought I wanted to work in pediatrics, ended up getting my first job in NICU, and it ended up being my niche. Of course, they are more closely related than adults, but you really don't know how you will like an area until you've had at least a year of experience. After 2 years of experience, you'll be in good shape to transfer to an area of your choice. Think of it as an extension of your education rather than your career choice.

The question for me is the time. If you are required to contract for 2 years in your current offers I would decline. You don't want to feel you are stuck in something you don't love as your very first job. Yes, compromise is important, but when you have an opportunity to shoot for the stars and you let it pass you by for ease you will always wonder "what if" and it will tarnish your appreciation of your current job offers (even if they are great you won't see it). Instead take a job with no commitment and wait it out....that is what I would do, but you should take that advice with a grain of salt.

There's also option C- apply to other peds positions. I knew I only wanted peds and when I was a new grad, was prepared to move if I didn't get a peds position in my city. I got offered a position shortly before I was going to begin applying elsewhere so it was a non-issue but that's what I'd do. You haven't graduated yet so there's still time. If moving isn't an option, I'd take the adult positions over waiting for July. By July you'll be competing with people who work at the hospital or are doing their preceptorships in the spring and get essentially promised positions before they even open applications. Plus 5 months is a long time to wait with no salary.

It depends. How is the overall job market in your area? If you really think you stand a better shot of landing the residency you want in July it might be worth waiting. Also depends on if you can afford to wait. Can you realistically go that long without the income? Also keep in mind the longer you are an unemployed new grad the harder it will be to find that first job

If you hold out for your dream job in July, will it possibly look bad that you were offered a job in February but turned it down? Also, will it look bad that you were not working for the past 6 months after graduation?

Its unlikely anyone would know about the declined offers. But yes, it definitely would not look good to go six months without working as a nurse.

I was thinking that if she reapplied for July at the same hospital in which she declined an offer now, someone might take notice.

Many residency contracts require two years as a FT nurse within their hospital (or network of hospitals); but they do not require you to stay within the same unit the entire time. Most will allow a transfer within a certain amount of time (I've heard some say after a year). If you take one of your offers, by July you will already have almost 6 months of experience and within another 6 months and with a good reference from your current manager, you may be able to transfer. Consider whether the offers you have will allow you to transfer internally or if you would have to go to another hospital entirely to get to the unit you truly desire.

Of course, know the terms of the residencies you are being offered!!

As well, consider the fact that you have two offers on the table now and NO guarantee of an offer in July. If you don't get an offer then, you will no longer be eligible for nurse residencies, yet will have no experience. That will put you in a real pickle.

IMO...the biggest question is, is there an opportunity for you to transfer to something that interests you within one of the hospitals that made you an offer currently?

Good luck.