Stalling on Accepting Position...

[jenrob]

I got a job offer this morning and should be THRILLED but I am too worried about quitting my full-time/GREAT insurance benefit position for a part-time every other weekend position that offers no benefits...I guess in my head I was thinking that I could do both but of course I can't because of orientation. In addition, I have an interview scheduled for tomorrow morning: a part-time position that does offer medical benefits. I told the HR mgr that I am very interested in their facility and that I would provide an answer "first thing tomorrow" which was DUMB because my other interview is at 10:45 a.m. and now I'm not sure how to stall a bit longer?! I don't know if it's acceptable to go ahead and accept this position, give my employer two weeks notice and then see how this other interview goes (and then if I'm offered that position and am more interested in it go ahead and accept and then regretfully "go back" on my initial acceptance?!). I know that it's too late to fix this (next time I'll just wait to call the prospecitve employer back I guess) but can anyone tell me if this is acceptable? Or is there another alternative that I'm not thinking about? I guess because I blurted out that I would let him know first thing tomorrow I don't want to be wishy-washy and call back and change it to Monday--but obviously I'm feeling VERY wishy-washy right now. Thanks to anyone who can offer me some advice!!

[Jules A, MSN]

I hate having to make decisions when under time constraints. The one thing I can say is that I have always had a gut feeling either great or not so great when I have been offered a position. I always trust my gut but under no circumstances would I give up health benefits. Good luck and let us know what you decide. :)

[santhony44, MSN, RN, NP]

Call him first thing tomorrow and tell him that you are interested but really need the weekend to think it over. If you do that, of course, you will have to absolutely without fail give him an answer Monday, one way or the other, and stick with it. You may not have an answer from the interview tomorrow, but you should have a feel for whether or not you want that one, aside from benefits.

When you call him tomorrow, you might even say that the reason you need more time to think is because you had not planned on quitting your present job, but now you've realized you can't do both because of orientation, etc. He might even be able to work with you on that.

Good luck in making the right decision!

[jenrob]

Thanks for the advice!! I will call him first thing in the morning and explain that I will give him my definitive answer on Monday. And will breathe and think before gushing an answer next time!! I definitely want to make the right decision for my first nursing job and hate that I have to take benefits into consideration on top of everything else. Thanks again for listening and for the advice!!

[Jules A, MSN]

I definitely want to make the right decision for my first nursing job and hate that I have to take benefits into consideration on top of everything else. Thanks again for listening and for the advice!!

When I was young, and not so bright apparently lol, I didn't think health benefits were very important. As I've aged and needed to use them they are very important to me. A few years ago I read a report that indicated that health benefits can account for aprox. 30% of one's salary so if you consider that and add it in it really bumps up the hourly rate. Good luck!

[jenrob]

Thanks so much!! I definitely understand how important it is, and my husband can pick up insurance where he works but it's $300 more a month (for much less coverage)...so I'm trying to be realistic but at the same we suffered through that before I had my current job so I don't want that to be the "be all end all" in my considerations. I love these boards...it's so comforting to know that I'm not alone--in my feelings and experiences. Thanks for the advice I very much appreciate it!!