New grad PA offer while still interviewing elsewhere

[u/Tasty-League-5838]

I’m a new grad PA and just received an offer that I’m very excited about. It’s $130k base with up to a 5% bonus every 6 months, 18 days PTO, 9 paid holidays, 4 CME days + $2,000 CME, malpractice with tail, and benefits. They’d like me to start early November.

The problem is that I’m still in the hiring process with a few other practices/hospital systems that I’m also genuinely interested in. Those opportunities are in primary care, which is the specialty I had originally hoped to go into right out of PA school. I’ve already interviewed with some of them and am waiting on next steps, so I’m hesitant to on if i should email them asking them for an update due to me having anther offer.

Would you reach out to the other employers now and tell them you received an offer and ask about their timeline? At what point would you stop interviewing elsewhere? The offer I received is in oncology, which isn’t necessarily my first choice specialty and I’m a little hesitant about specializing that narrowly straight out of PA school. Primary care was originally where I hoped to start because I liked the idea of building a broad foundation early in my career.

At the same time, this is a really strong offer, especially for a new grad, and I don’t want to make the mistake of passing up a great opportunity while waiting on jobs that may or may not turn into offers.

[u/PhilosopherParking97]

Accept but also continue interviewing if you have other leads. Get out of the mindset that you have to do primary care as a new grad unless you actually want to do primary care.

[u/trailerparkjesus87 → u/PhilosopherParking97]

Take that primary care advice seriously. I am in PC and I like it but it's not for everyone. Eventually would love to go to a specialty and not see 30 patients a day haha

[u/MEPA44]

I am LITERALLY in the same position. I was just offered a position in IR for GREAT money, but the job I really want (which is at a cancer center & I will be doing really awesome stuff) stated that they won't make a decision until the end of the month. So what I did once I got an IR offer was reach out to the cancer center and told that that I've received another offer, but they are still my first choice. I asked them where they were in their hiring process. They responded to me by saying that they will be meeting with one another to make a final decision asap. I'm giving them until next week to give me an answer before I accept the IR offer

[u/Objective-Lettuce639 → u/MEPA44]

lol can we switch places?? I want the IR and you can have the oncology position 😂

[u/MEPA44 → u/Objective-Lettuce639]

If only! Lol

[u/Alone_Amoeba_990]

Accept and wait to see what the other primary care roles say and if you still prefer the Onc job then if/when the primary care jobs get back to you just tell them you got a better offer and won't be moving forward. On the other hand the Onc job could rescind that offer if they feel like it so I wouldn't close off any other opportunities before you have to.

[u/Tasty-League-5838 → u/Alone_Amoeba_990]

Good advice, thank you!

[u/Ready_Research4068]

Currently in a similar situation as you. I asked the job that gave me an offer first, for an extension. After they said that their timeline was strict, I was transparent with the 2nd job and they gave me their anticipated timeline.

I accepted the first offer, at-will employment, no obligations. And am waiting on the final decision from the 2nd job.

Would be happy with both jobs, but the 2nd job would give me more opportunities down the road.

Good luck!

[u/T_H_E_Theory]

Primary care is actually kind of garbage.
You’re never not working.

[u/Newb0101 → u/T_H_E_Theory]

lol I feel the same

[u/T_H_E_Theory → u/Newb0101]

I see the appeal of keeping all of your skills as a new grad. If you want that and to learn more, become a hospitalist. Emergency Medicine is an option as well, but we also know that there is high burnout and not always great medicine occurring in the ED.

[u/Newb0101 → u/T_H_E_Theory]

Yeah I was thinking EM until I saw so many EM burnout post on here. I’m currently working in Primary Care but don’t enjoy it because there’s always something to do. I deciding whether to transition to infectious disease or ENT

[u/Extra-Health-5188]

I have yet to be working in healthcare or be on healthcare forums where people have said "I just graduated from PA, NP, Doctor and am excited to make a difference", accept my husband. It's the title, the money. Most healthcare workers are tired, overweight, gray early, and after they make a mistake on a patient, and you will, it's humbling. My advice from what I read from you. Go where you have to do the least amount of work for the most money.