What would you do?

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Mar 14, 2005

The risk you take! I too would not settle for the first job that came along. I stuck to my heart and took on another job that seemed like it best fit me and my goals.

THEN, I wound up quitting because of the beurocracy and poor way they treated nurses. Then I realized I must look deeper into what I really wanted and comprimise on REALISTIC expectations of jobs...that takes time.

Now I look really carefully at the want ads and don't pick something right off the bat and see how many ads they must place per month. That gives me a good clue into how often their turn arounds are! Or if it is a running add they always have up (another clue to short staffing ). I also ask to speak to the NURSES when I go into an interview, and I make sure it is just that nurse and me...no interviewer present at all. If they don't allow this, then I leave. I want to hear from the nurses that work there, not some interviewer that has a place to fill and selling someone on it (like pretty icing on a concerete cake...great to look at, but once you bite into it...OUCH!).

Don't take a job because you feel you have to, it makes you miserable. I should know, I am stuck in nursing position far away from my actual wishes/wants and I am miserable as all get go~! I couldn't find a job for 6 months and took whatever anyone offered, now I seriously daily regret that choice...and now am stuck! (went LTC which was not my plan at all...I am more geared towards emergency...now no ER in their right mind will hire me because after 2 years I have lost all those skills I once had! Hospitals won't even consider me either...all because I felt I HAD to take whatever came at that point..shot myself in the foot sadly! LTC is a great place really...just wasn't were my heart and skills were..I have learned much :), but I still dream of the ED and how great I felt working in one).

Be realistic, but be true to yourself, because it is 'yourself' that you will have to face after a long day at work....

suzanne4, RN · Mar 14, 2005

No one says that you have to take the first job that comes along. You need to be just as choosy about picking a facility, as they are for you.

When you find the right fit, you will know it. Sometimes it just takes a little time.

Don't give up............ :balloons:

catrn10 · Mar 14, 2005

I wouldn't recommend taking that job if I already knew I wouldn't like it. And the 1:9 ratio isn't good either. Pediatric patients can be very tricky. Wait for a better offer. There is a Nursing shortage after all.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2005

Don't take a job with the attitude "I know I'm going to hate this". It's not worth anyone's time and effort, including the employer.

Good luck in finding something else. :)

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2005

I agree that taking the first job offered isnt necissarily the best option. But dont wait to long to start a position. The longer you take between passing boards and starting a position the less likely you are to be able to have the pick. Sometimes you have to get in the door and get your feet wet before the position you have been waiting for comes up. Remember ANY experience is good experience, positive or negative its still experience when your a new grad.

SaudiNurse · Mar 14, 2005

RnAngl , you are not that hurry :)

wait and I'm sure you'll find better opportunity

all the best

begalli · Mar 14, 2005

I have just graduated and passed boards. I am ready to start working---but I am not willing to just take any nursing job.

I think you've answered your own question.

SOmething else will become available.

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 14, 2005

I agree that you should probably not take a job you know you will not like. However, it is also a mistake to be so picky and so demanding that nothing in the real world will please you. You need to do a thorough and honest assessment of yourself and of the job market. Are your desires within the realm of possibility? What types of jobs are available in your community? Are you willing to commute a long distance? ... or relocate? What compromises are you willing to make? Which things are you not willing to compromise?

I would make appointments with the local Nurse Recruiters and find out about opportunities. Don't just rely on the job ads. Those of often determined by the size of the advertizing budget and intra-hospital politics and NOT by the number and quality of positions actually available.

Do step #1 of the nursing process -- assess. Assess your interests and talents and assess the opportunities available. Then make a decision about what is best for you.