Take the job now & decline later if better offer opens up?

[Araceli]

I'm a new grad who just passed the NCLEX. I'm pretty torn up over whether to accept a job or not. This job isn't the job of my dreams, but the pay is excellent. It's in a cardiac step-down unit, but I really wanted labor/delivery/postpartum nursing, because I eventually want to become a nurse midwife.

My family thinks I'm nuts for even considering not accepting the job. My husband, however, wants me to be happy in my career. And as for me, I want to work in hospital that fosters growth in its nurses and trains employees very well.

The job would start November 3. Should I just accept the offer and hope that something better comes up before the start date? I'm afraid I won't get another job offer, so then at least I know I have a job. What would you do in this situation?

[blinks14]

I accepted a job in a cardiac step down unit myself over the summer but it was NOT at all my first choice. I would prefer and still would prefer to work in a PICU. But I have been on orientation at this new position for about 6 weeks and have gotten so much more experience than I ever expected. It's been really awesome. Plus I've been able to work on my time management and my organizational skills as well. I really am enjoying myself.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

The problem is that if you take it only to drop it come November, you're taking up a spot for someone that perhaps is really interested in cardiology. Maybe give it a couple of more weeks? Do you have to make a decision now?

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

I faced the same decision back in the spring. I had a job offer on a med-surg floor, but I wanted peds. I took the med-surg job, and broke my contract a month later when something opened up in peds (hadn't started the med-surg job yet). HR was very upset, but the manager understood, he knew I wanted peds, when asked where I saw myself in 2-3 years, my answer to him was simple, "working with kids." I don't know the longterm affects of my decision. If I ever try to work with adults, I want to go back to that hospital, but I may have made things more difficult for getting hired in the future.

[Araceli]

The problem is that if you take it only to drop it come November, you're taking up a spot for someone that perhaps is really interested in cardiology. Maybe give it a couple of more weeks? Do you have to make a decision now?

Yes, I have to make the decision by Monday morning. I'm worried about the hospital, as well. They are in a state of transition and the cardiac step-down unit is just now starting patient care. It sounds like things may be chaotic, and that scares me as a new nurse.

[JoycMarr]

It sounds like you have many doubts about it and that should answer your question.

[Araceli]

I just hadn't thought about it that way, but that is what I needed to 'hear'. Thank you so much for pointing that out to me!

[CleveRN2008]

What did you end up doing? I am in a similar situation!!! Would love your thoughts! THANKS!

[Araceli]

What did you end up doing? I am in a similar situation!!! Would love your thoughts! THANKS!

I decided that I wouldn't accept the job offer for the cardiac step-down unit. I called the RN recruiter and explained to her that I agonized over the decision, but I didn't want to take the position. I also told her what my main concerns were.

To my surprise, she offered three other units that would allow me more learning opportunities and stability - and it was my choice of whichever one I wanted. I took a position in an established unit (tele), but not labor/delivery or mother/baby.

I have been unable to find a hospital that lets new grads into L&D or mother/baby. (This is after searching hospitals in the Chicago area, Indiana, North Carolina, and Arizona). They all seem to want experienced nurses, and I know these units are in high, high demand.

Since my husband and I have a "2 to 5-year plan", as we call it, I decided that I would get familiarized with nursing for the next 2-5 years, and I will then search for my dream job as an experienced nurse.