Take the job offered or wait?

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I'm in a bit of a bind, would appreciate some feedback. While I had lots of interested unit managers in April, before I graduated, I knew I wouldn't be able to start anywhere until after summer ended, September.

Several classmates of mine, with the ability to start earlier, have (of course!) secured the jobs I might otherwise have gotten now. No one around here holds a job for too long, so getting a job I wanted in May held for a September start was just not reasonable.

Anyway, now I'm looking, doing the call-backs, and find that there's just not much out there for a new RN (if I had experience, well, that's another story, lol). Unless I want to travel a solid hour to other hospitals out of my area. I don't.

So, I have to decide on taking a position that was LAST on my list of preferences, because it's about 90% guaranteed now (mgr has to see about juggling personnel, who is really staying, etc). Or, doing a "wait and see" and hope something else more to my liking shows up in September. But of course, it could be October. Or whatever. And, lol, my dh would LIKE me to become EMPLOYED! :D

I'm thinking take the unit I didn't like much but make the best of it, possibly transfer to another unit in a year if I still think it isn't me...?

Thoughts?

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Specializes in Rural Health.

Well...on one hand it sounds like you might be settling for something you won't be truly happy with....on the other hand you probably would like to be employed sometime soon. I don't know about where you live, but here the new grads are hired in May and Dec only. There "might" be some jobs floating around for new grads....but usually that isn't the case.

Is the job now something you can do for 1-2 years? Is it a good place to get started? Can you transfer out in 1-2 years (or less) if you aren't happy? Is this a facility you want to work for anyway, just not the department you were hoping for?

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Well...on one hand it sounds like you might be settling for something you won't be truly happy with....on the other hand you probably would like to be employed sometime soon. I don't know about where you live, but here the new grads are hired in May and Dec only. There "might" be some jobs floating around for new grads....but usually that isn't the case.

Is the job now something you can do for 1-2 years? Is it a good place to get started? Can you transfer out in 1-2 years (or less) if you aren't happy? Is this a facility you want to work for anyway, just not the department you were hoping for?

Hi, mom2!

Well, the facility IS my preferred hospital, so would very much like to work there. The unit itself has undergone alot of changes recently, from what I hear, and it's supposed to be a change for the better. I guess I'm mostly concerned with it being the type of unit it is (and I kinda don't want to say in case I get found out, lol). It just isn't my "draw", you know? But yes, I could stay there as long as needed. I don't think I'd be so unhappy as to look for a different hospital or anything if a transfer wasn't possible in a year or so.

I guess the bird in the hand philosphy applies here, huh? Well, ALMOST in hand ;)

Thanks for responding!

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I can understand your dilemma -- and it is good that you are having it. Some people would say, "Take the job, then quit as soon as a better one came along." However, that's not really ethical, is it? If an employer is willing to train you as a new grad and give you a decent orientation, then you have some ethical obligation to stick it out long enough to "pay them back" for their investment. Taking advantage of them may get you a bad reputation.

So ... if you don't think you would be willing to stick it out for at least a year if other positions open up, then you should probably not take the job (unless your family is truly desparate). However, if you can committ to the job for at least a year and you don't want to wait to see if something more attractive becomes available, then take it.

The keys are: Be prepared to live with the consequences of your decision -- and be fair to the other people your decisions effect.

llg

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Specializes in Orthopedics/Med-Surg, LDRP.

Wow, what a conundrum! I guess on one hand, you can take the job at your preferred hospital in the unit you don't really like and try to transfer to a different unit in December when they're looking for new grads again. By then you will have a leg up on the newbies because you will have had the hospital orientation and a little experience under your belt.

However, if you really dislike the unit, then you're going to be MISERABLE there until something better comes along and it can make for very long shifts, weeks and months. If it was a money issue, I say take my first advice.

Good luck girlie!

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Thanks guys! I'm still working this through, only now it seems like it's becoming more immediate.

Because of staff vacation schedules, etc, I'm still waiting on the first job I told you about. Still likely to have it, but nothing firm yet.

And now, I've gotten a call from a nurse manager at another hospital that has my application; she has openings in two units for the shifts I want. One unit has been revamped and I know is now a good place to work, the other unit I know zilch about but I've heard is "quiet" (rehab). My ONLY hesitation is that the first hospital is just known as a better employer in general and this one less so (employees gripe both places of course, but seems to be more at this one).

So, dilemma time! I always interview well; if I'm offered a spot at #2, I could begin work guaranteed in Sept. If I wait for #1 (better hospital but NOT better unit) I may or may not. Probably, but who knows.

For nurses who have "been around", lol, do you find it's better to work on a unit you really like in a hospital that can be more troublesome, or in a unit you like a bit less but overall the hospital is better (administration for both)?

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I feel like this is "Dear Diary", lol!

I had a great interview for a job in the second-choice hospital, and I really liked what I heard and saw. I also saw several of my classmates--ones I liked :) Found myself hoping for an offer within a few minutes, and I got one :) Pay is better, benefits similar (a bit better on this, a bit less on that). But the UNIT is much more conducive to a well-rounded nursing experience and is a much better jumping-off point (if I decide to jump at some point!).

Waiting for a callback that all the paperwork is in order, then I can enjoy the rest of the summer :)

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Specializes in Orthopedics/Med-Surg, LDRP.

CONGRATS!!!!! I hope that it all works out for you on the new unit! I KNEW you could do it! Sounds like everything will be good from now on. I can't wait to start work on Monday. Granted it's 2 weeks of orientation, but hey at $200 a day, they can orientate me as much as they want. :lol2:

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Thanks :D Will be able to relax completely when I get that official "heeeere's your job!" call :)

Two weeks of orientation...is that just classroom, or is that including floor time? At both the places I mentioned, it's a week of classroom, then (at this last one) at least 3-4 weeks--sometimes up to six!!-- of preceptorship during the day shift and then another few weeks during the night shift. So orientation lasts anywhere from 7-12 weeks, depending on the new nurse.

Seems like alot, but then I know they send us to the OR for observation days, PACU, ambulatory surgery, etc for learning as well.

Gee, I'm getting excited :D

As for pay, it's the same rate I'd get paid when on the floor, so that's nice....except I'll be working a well-paid differential at night so I will miss out on that during the time I'm on days :(

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Congratulations RNsRWe!!! I am happy you found something you will enjoy. I start on the floor of my new job on Monday. Had hospital orientation this week. I am excited, but VERY scared. Hope I like it.

I wish you nothing but the best!!

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Congratulations RNsRWe!!! I am happy you found something you will enjoy. I start on the floor of my new job on Monday. Had hospital orientation this week. I am excited, but VERY scared. Hope I like it.

I wish you nothing but the best!!

Thank you, that's sweet! I'm excited for YOU, starting on Monday already! I won't start until mid september (my choice). Delaying the inevitable, lol..

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Congratulations RNsRWe:) I wish you all the success in your new career. I wish I had a job....i'm so discouraged...:o Still can't find anything. Your job sounds exciting! Again congrats! :)

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