Different job offer 2 months in, what do I do?

Seeking Advice

This is kind of a complicated story but I’ll give a TLDR if you don’t feel like reading the whole thing.

TLDR: I took an L&D job after moving back home, but then my dream hospital (level 4 NICU, union, state retirement, better pay) offered me a position. I turned it down at first because they called me the same day I started the other job. but now they’ve called again with even more money and a November start.

  • Current job (L&D): I like the staff and patients, but management is terrible, it’s not unionized, and the pay/benefits are lower.
  • Dream job (NICU): Requires restarting orientation, but it has better pay, union protection, retirement, tuition reimbursement, and supportive management.

My dilemma: should I stay where I am since I’m almost off orientation, or leave soon after and take the dream hospital offer?

Full story: I moved back to my hometown & applied to a bunch of different hospitals. I have NICU experience but was open to L&D, PP, NICU, OR. One hospital returned my app pretty quickly and offered me the job (labor and delivery). My DREAM JOB didn’t call me until the first day at this other hospital. This is a level 4 NICU, very prestigious hospital, state pension retirement system. I went after my hospital orientation for the other place and interviewed and they offered me the job the next day. I didn’t know what to do. I was literally sick over the decision. I ultimately decided to decline the position at my “dream job” because they didn’t have self scheduling. Fast forward a month, I really enjoy my L&D job. The staff is amazing and I’m learning it really quickly. I really enjoy the patient population as well. But the management… oof… and this is NOT a union hospital (the other one is). Anyways, HR from dream hospital called again offering more money and a November start. I really want to take it. But, I can’t quick my current job and not work for 2 months. I have a wedding and loans to pay for. Is it shitty to ride this job out all the way until I’m practically off orientation then dip and go to the other job? Am I a horrible person? What would you do?

Option A: labor and delivery, already established here, night shift, ‘self scheduling’ (however the management team micromanages this a ton). Every 3rd weekend and every 3rd holiday. Magnet institution. 10k tuition reimbursement. No union. Hour and 15 drive plus a 20 minute walk from the garage. Horrible management. $59/ hour +$3 on nights

Option B: NICU, have to go through all of hospital orientation again, state retirement system, no self scheduling but switches are easy, nice management (so far), every other weekend, full tuition reimbursement (I plan on going to NP school), union, 35 minute drive, $62/ hour + $4 on nights.

Posted Sep 2, 2025, 3:29 PM UTC

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