Ask the Hiring Manager

QUESTION:

I recently passed my nclexrn, and am presently employed with two different agencies. The first agency is part-time, it onlys pays a salary after taxes, of only 751.11 a month; the second job is full time, it pays an RN salary of 17.00/hr.

I recently applied for a full-time position at at the local hospital as a surgical nurse the hours are great and the pay is good.

I would really like to take this position because it will allow me to work during the day and be at home in the evenings, weekends and holidays. My part-time job is great also, I have been working there for 4 1/2 years. They say they will try to include my position for full-time status in the coming year's budget, they are also planning to build a health center on campus, which is schedule to be completed by the end of the year, but if I stay here, I will not be able to adjust my salary to RN pay for another 7 months and I will have to continue to work a full-time job which is my second job. This job does not give me the opportunity to be at home most evenings, weekends and holidays. The sum total of hours a week 48 hours, which makes me very tired. I would like very much to stay at my part-time job until next year, but my finances at this point will not allow me to. I do need to work at the local hospital for better pay and better hours.

The question is will I be jumping ships if I take the position? Should I wait and see what the end will be with my part-time job? Please help I am desprate!!!

From: Dorotha Harrell, Recent Grad, Phillips Community College

ANSWER FROM BRIAN KRUEGER:

Hi Dorotha -

I don't see anything in your situation that says you should not pursue working for the local hospital, if it would be better pay and better hours. Yes, you would be "jumping ship" in making the move (technically, any time you move to a new job, it is considering "jumping ship"--it's not a bad thing), but it appears that you need to do this for meeting your best long-term interests.

Don't turn over your career development to someone else. Actively manage it yourself.

P.S. Don't be surprised if the RN position is offered to you once you say you're leaving.