Ok, this is the deal. I am precepting in the PICU. I have talked to the nurse manager and she seems as if she is going to hire me. BUT.... she has yet to bring me the papers or make a formal offer. The 2 girls that are precepting in the NICU (different nurse manager) have already been hired. Yep, signed the papers, formal job offer... everything. This particular nurse manager (PICU) is also over Peds, and my classmate who is precepting on the Peds floor told me that our Nurse manager brought her up the papers WITH the pen, for her to sign them! I have 3 weeks left of precepting, and I don't know what to do. She has told me that she has talked to the staff, and everyone likes me and thinks that I will make a good PICU nurse, but she has just not made it official. Last week she made the comment to me that we need to discuss my salary, but then..... nothing! I am getting very antsy and nervous because my classmates are getting hired on in various places left and right.
Now here is the other thing. I had been going back and forth about deciding between the NICU and the PICU. I did this for a while and then made it known that I had decided on the PICU since that is where I have been precepting. Now that I feel like maybe the nurse manager of the PICU is not really valueing me, I am kind of considering the NICU again. I applied for both positions and the NICU manager has gotten in touch with me to schedule an interview. There will be a lot of new graduates and classmates of mine in the NICU, while there will be no one that I know on nights in the PICU. This is a positive for me about the NICU. I truly could work in either one and be fulfilled. If we float, we do so between PICU, NICU , and Peds, so that will not change no matter which unit I choose. What should I do? Should I go on the interview for the NICU and just see who offers me a job first? Do you think that the PICU nurse manager is just taking for granted that I have the job, and that's why she's being so slow to offer it to me? Please let me know what you guys think of my situation. I want to call both of these managers. Thanks.
Congratulations! Sounds like you got what you wanted all along without ruffling anyone's feathers or burning any bridges. I think you got excellent advice here and handled the situation very well. Good luck!
Just wanted to give you guys the update. I had the interview with the NICU nurse manager today..... and was offered the job on the spot. However, she told me that she did not want to snatch me away from the PICU nurse manager and that she was going to go and talk to her and let her know that if she didn't make a move and hire me soon, that she was going to hire me in the NICU. Well.... the PICU nurse manager officially offered me the job today, too. She brought the papers and everything. She told me that she had a lot going on the past 2 weeks, and was just not able to officially get with me, but that she really wanted me to work in that unit. So........ I accepted!! I am now OFFICIALLY hired in the PICU (which was always my 1st love). Although I would have loved working in the NICU too. I am excited, but I still kind of wonder in the back of mind if I made the right decision. Thanks again to everyone who responded to me in my original post.
Brina
Congrats Brina! I am sure you are thrilled. If PICU is your first love then no worries concerning whether or not you made the right decision. Since you have been precepting there you already have a nice "feel" for the unit. Be confident in your decision, now comes the fun stuff!(practicing more of what you have already been taught and learning loads of more good stuff) Congrats!!
How much time are you going to wait before taking the nclex?
I would talk to the nurse recruiter in HR. They know the scoop and can give you advice. Plus, they can steer you in another direction if that is needed.
Thanks for all the congrats!! I really am excited.... I can't believe I have a job..... and as a nurse!! lol I graduate Dec.16th. I am going to enjoy my last Christmas and New Years of not having to work, lol, and we have scheduled for Sylvia Rayfield to come for NCLEX Review on Jan. 4, 5, and 6. I believe that the NCLEX can be taken the next day. So on January 7, I will hopefully take and pass the NCLEX. I really would rather not wait too long, or let too much time pass after school before the NCLEX. I am scared that if I don't I will get out of the school / study mode... not to mention that I am kind of a procrastinator. Gosh.... 10 weeks till graduation!!
Congrats! It sounds like you handled it well ... and just as important for your future, so did the nurse managers. It sounds to me as if they are both nice people who behaved reasonably and honorably in the situation. There is no reason for anyone to feel awkward about anything as you move forward.
As far as not being 100% sure ... It's rare in life that we are 100% sure. In most cases, you just have do your best to make a good decision with the information at the time. As time passes, you get more information and make new decisions each day as the situation unfolds. That's just the way life is. At least in this case, it sounds as if the NICU will be a good "back up plan" for you just in case the PICU doesn't work out the way you hope it will.
Congrats!!
Gosh.... 10 weeks till graduation!!
Siouxz2
70 Posts
Congratulations! Sounds like you got what you wanted all along without ruffling anyone's feathers or burning any bridges. I think you got excellent advice here and handled the situation very well. Good luck!