I recently had an L&D interview (I am a new grad) and was given the opportunity to shadow on the unit after the interview. The staff was incredibly nice, and I loved the floor and the unit and was very excited about the position. However, the more I thought about it after, the more I realized I actually did want some time caring for a larger, more diverse kind of patients before I specialized. I've been very torn about it, because I am excited to get a job offer, but I know I would regret it a little if I didn't work med-surg first to gain experience in that population first. So, the nurse manager called me yesterday and I was sleeping (I work as a tech night shift) and she was gone by the time I could call her back. I planned on calling her when I woke up today, but she was already gone again, but she also emailed me today to offer me the position. My question is this, is it ok (polite, professional) to email her to turn down the position? Or do I need to call early tomorrow to do so? Thanks for your help.
I would call during hours when she's likely to be there so you can speak to her personally, not just leave a voicemail. Since you're interested in possibly going into L&D eventually, even though you have made a decision not to do so now, you want to keep the door open with this nurse manager. Not that an email would close the door, but a phone call is more personal.
I would call, or even stop by and see her in person depending on how our interaction was. I think an email is acceptable, but it will not keep her in your memory for if you're wanting to do this in the future.
I honestly think that if you are interested in L&D, you should go into it now while you can. It's not that med-surg won't prepare you, but many nurses tell me now that you will learn what you need to know when you need to know it at your job, and that you shouldn't continue your education with your job choice necessarily. For example, I want to go into psych in the future, and I'm hearing a lot of people tell me that I need to do two years of med-surg first, but honestly I *hate* med-surg and I doubt I would be good at it. I think there is this general "you should do a couple of years of med-surg" idea that may or may not be true for every individual. Other nurses I talk to disagree with it and believe you should go into what you love immediately if you can because the work is more rewarding. (And if it's not, then you can change.)
If you felt really good during your clinicals in L&D, and you think you're going to do it later in life, I would take care of this connection by making the nurse manager feel important so that later on you can reconnect with her when you're ready. I'm also assuming you've shadowed your other place of employment with the M-S job because from what I read on here, a good work environment with good manager is hard to come by. If you really meshed with the staff, that's something I would consider. :)
Specializes in MCH,NICU,NNsy,Educ,Village Nursing.
Definitely call. It's more professional. And, L&D really is a great place to learn skills and care for a diverse population within the maternal population. Women with chronic health conditions/illnesses get pregnant & give birth, so really, you are, or have the potential to be, exposed to more than "just" laboring patients. Best wishes to you on whatever you decide!
Specializes in Med/Surg, Neuro, ICU, travel RN, Psych.
I agree, if you want to do L&D in the long term, take the job now. I did M/S out of nursing school, and it was very hard to get out of it once there. People wait years to get into L&D.
Once you have some experience there, you can always pick up a per diem job or something for some extra M/S experience.
If you do choose to turn it down, call her. Just explain that you feel you should get some M/S experience before going to a specialty. She will likely respect that, and you will leave that window open down the road.
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
If you really want L&D, you should rethink your decision. Jobs in that area don't just open up that easily. This may be an opportunity you may not have again.
Honestly I would take the job because even though L&D is kind of a specialty you get a mixture of med surg in it as well... Think about it... It's VERY HARD to get a position on a L&D floor...you already voiced how nice and how excited they were to have you...Now...what if you don't get that on the Med -Surg floor??? You sign a contract, (of course because you're a new grad and they don't want to put money into and you run away) and then your stuck for 12-24 months....THINK ABOUT IT
Honestly, Do want it feels right in your gut. I have six month of med-surg experience and it gets challenging everyday. Especially if you work the day shift, it's HELL! Too many orders from doctors, dealing with CNAs who dont want to help, less time to spend with patients, so many medications that I have not heard before, passing meds all day. I knew I am not cut out to be a m/s nurse, I always wanted to be an OB nurse since I went to my OB clinical rotation. I see what the other posters are saying, yes a L&D for a new grad are HARD to find. Trust me, I have applied to several women's services positions,I get NO responses. It's hard and I am still looking for one now, it's still hard.I took this M/S job because I didn't have a choice.
Sorry for venting, lol...I am happy for you. I would call the manager to decline the position. If you choose med-surg, you can work for 2 or more years before applying to L&D again
I graduat in Aug. 2011 so my oppinion may not count as much as others, but around here they are requiring 1-2 yrs experience before being elig. for L&D, similar to ICU and ED. The only reason for that would be that you have to have those skills to be successful in that unit. I would call or see the them in person and voice your concerns. Then she can either verify or refute your feelings. Not only will you learn something about the skill needed for L&D, but you will also learn something about management there and how vested they are in their employees. --sorry for the spelling/typos... in a hurry right now.
noahsmama
827 Posts
I would call during hours when she's likely to be there so you can speak to her personally, not just leave a voicemail. Since you're interested in possibly going into L&D eventually, even though you have made a decision not to do so now, you want to keep the door open with this nurse manager. Not that an email would close the door, but a phone call is more personal.
Good luck with your new job!