new grad residency dilemma

Hi all,

Been a long reader on this site but this is my first post. I am a new grad nurse currently working as a substitute school nurse per diem. So far, I love the school setting but as a new nurse, feel if I could get a year of hospital experience somewhere, I would be doing both my patients and myself good.

So, my goal for the new year is to secure a new grad residency program for nurses w/ 0-1 year experience.

Meanwhile,I have been offered a clinic job hundreds of miles away from home. Experience wise, am thrilled at the opportunity it will give me to be part of a large clinic. For first time, I get to be a part of a collaborative team and work with a preceptor and a supervisor. However,money wise it is a NO DEAL w/ 50% pay cut plus relocation expense.

Do you think a RN experience at a clinic will be more valued than a per diem school nurse experience or is it the same in the eyes of a hospital recruiter? Last edit by nina_RN on Dec 23, '10 : Reason: to emphasize
Quote from nina_RNI was toying w. the idea to maybe work 6-8 months at the new job and then apply for a residency. However, I worry about the financial constraints and the effort not being valued by a hospital(more of the latter).Is this worth the effort to secure a residency or should I just keep my per diem school job.

Firstly thank you for commenting.Sorry about my rambling confusing you.What I meant is, in order to land a hospital job, what type of background appears more attractive to a Hospital Recruiter?a nurse who has been a RN at a clinic or a school nurse ?

Neither will. Keep the school job for now until something closer to home where u can work both opens up!

Quote from nina_RNFirstly thank you for commenting.Sorry about my rambling confusing you.What I meant is, in order to land a hospital job, what type of background appears more attractive to a Hospital Recruiter?a nurse who has been a RN at a clinic or a school nurse ?

I think it all depends on where you see yourself going. Interested in pediatrics..........then stick with the school nurse. Clinic will off you more diversity, I think. Think long and hard about relocating. Think about life stress.........new job, relocation, new friends, etc. and its a per diem job.Hang in there, you will get a job.

Quote from kayernI think it all depends on where you see yourself going. Interested in pediatrics..........then stick with the school nurse. Clinic will off you more diversity, I think. Think long and hard about relocating. Think about life stress.........new job, relocation, new friends, etc. and its a per diem job.Hang in there, you will get a job.

Merry Christmas to all!sonorityGenius: thank you for sharing your view.@hiddencatRN: Locally, my other option is to pursue a home care nursing job. Other than that, things appear bleak. I still work PT in a job from my previous career locally .Relocating would minus this 2nd income too. When I say 50% pay cut, i'm taking into account this income I'd be losing out on as well.@ Kayern: Yes, I am interested in peds. However,I am not sure if it is the only specialty I want to stick w/throughout though. the clinic would expose me to peds along w/ other specialties and that is what initially drew my interest to it.plus, it is a FT job.Far though, I thought I found my career break. the compensation package just ruined the beauty of it. You are right about the psychological baggage re: relocation too. thank you for sharing your point.@ jennifersews: thank you for sharing your views too.The dilemma of being grateful for a job offer and accepting it vs waiting for the right one to come by is not easy to deal with.