What should I do?

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Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.

Hey everyone,

So I graduated from nursing school last semester and have been looking for jobs. It has been a whirlwind of emotions. I just received an offer for a LTC. The base rate is on par with the area, but the differentials and benefits are not great. I also had an interview for a dream position. The manager emailed me and said that they would be happy for me to the join the team, but she has to make sure that there is a spot available for HR. I know for a fact that if there isn't one available now (though there is a job application in review status) there will be one within a month as I talked with a staff member who is leaving the area in a few weeks.

I also have another interview coming up for a new grad residency program at a small hospital on Tuesday.

At this point, I don't know what to do. Should I just accept the nursing position at the LTC? Wait to hear back from my dream job? Interview for the new grad residency program?

I feel overwhelmed, angry, depressed and desperate.

If I go with the nursing home, I feel like that it is death to any potential job in an acute care hospital and career advancement. At the same time, I don't want to accept a job and then turn around and quit within six months!

What would you do?

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I've read many of your posts. Cheering you on! Good luck whatever you choose to do!

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

The good news is you certainly are not desperate! You have one offer in hand and two others likely pending. Pat yourself on the back and take a deep breath. If you are in a financial bind I would take the LTC job now because a bird in the hand is better than one in your bush, right? :D If you are able to financially wait it out and you really want to work at one of the other jobs then turn down the LTC position with the understanding that you might be disappointed and back to square one if the other two fall through. Good luck with whatever you decide.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.

Thanks everyone.

I am just so depressed. I worked so hard only to get an offer at a nursing home with crappy benefits. It almost seems as though it wasn't worth it.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.

If you're financially strapped, take the LTC job, and keep looking for other jobs. If you get a better offer, quit the LTC job. Some will call it unprofessional, but why stay at a job you know you don't want?

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I couldn't take the LTC job. I would hold out for the other offers and/or try to get into home health.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.
If you're financially strapped, take the LTC job, and keep looking for other jobs. If you get a better offer, quit the LTC job. Some will call it unprofessional, but why stay at a job you know you don't want?

I don't have any student loans and I live at home. My mother is okay with me staying as long as possible, and I do have money saved up from my nursing assistant job.

I just hate hearing people say bad things about job hopping. I would take the job if I knew there wasn't a stigma against those who do job hop.

But you are right. I do NOT want to work in LTC. It is about as far away from my goals as you can imagine.

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I don't have any student loans and I live at home. My mother is okay with me staying as long as possible, and I do have money saved up from my nursing assistant job.

I just hate hearing people say bad things about job hopping. I would take the job if I knew there wasn't a stigma against those who do job hop.

But you are right. I do NOT want to work in LTC. It is about as far away from my goals as you can imagine.

In this situation I would sit tight and see how your two pending offers pan out :) Keep applying to places you want to work or obtain some certifications to amp up your resume! If you can live at home with no job for a bit it might be worth the wait :)

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I'm not sure why you are complaining. You are very privileged, you live at home and already have 1 job offer and 2 other jobs pending. The job market is very tough for new grads, I don't want to work in a nursing home either but if that all I can get at that moment then what I'm going to do. You have to keep all options open, I know people who have been promised a job and then the job offer fell through, so you don't to keep all your eggs in one basket.

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"I feel overwhelmed, angry, depressed and desperate."

Why? You have a job offer on hand, a possible dream job opportunity, and another interview lined up. I think you should be pretty excited.

If your dream job offer doesn't come, you still have a backup job offer. You also have another possible opportunity coming up. I think you should adjust your attitude and be grateful.

Many new grads don't get even one job offer, much less the opportunities you have.

I also don't understand why you applied for an LTC, and then accepted the job, if you are going to be mad that you have to work there. It's not fair to the patients and your potential coworkers to have to put up with that kind of attitude.

As far as your future actions, I think you should follow through on your acceptance of the LTC offer and wait and see if your dream job opportunity actually happens. Sometimes managers tell you things to keep from hurting your feelings, and sometimes a better candidate comes along before a position is officially open. If it does come through, then accept it and give your honest regrets to the LTC along with your resignation.

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Specializes in Trauma, Orthopedics.

I feel overwhelmed, angry, depressed and desperate.

I'm sorry, I can't sympathize with you. This is how I felt when I didn't have a job out of school and couldn't put food in my fridge, and wasn't sure how I was going to pay my rent.

You live at home with a savings and no bills, with a job offer to boot. Either take the offer and stop complaining or be glad you are very fortunate to have minimal responsibilities and can hold out until you get your dreaaaaaammmmm offer.

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Specializes in Trauma, Orthopedics.
Thanks everyone.

I am just so depressed. I worked so hard only to get an offer at a nursing home with crappy benefits. It almost seems as though it wasn't worth it.

This sense of entitlement is why people can't stand new grads these days. My oh my. I have a few friends that would kill for this job offer.

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