Declining Internal Job Offer

I am an ICU and ECMO nurse at my hospital. I’ve been doing ECMO for three years now and love it. A few months ago, one of my bosses asked me if I would be interested in a full time leadership role with them. I told them absolutely yes, and then a few weeks later she texted me and told me to let my ICU manager know I would be transitioning full over to ECMO and that we would just need to do an “interview for formality”. I think I have the job at this point as it would be a lateral transfer.

A few weeks later, my manager announces this role is open to anyone to apply. I’m embarrassed, but I understand that they legally have to open it up to everyone. This left a bad taste in my mouth. I wished they told me instead that the position would be opening and they would really like me to apply, but it is what it is. I still sent my application in and interviewed a few days ago.

However, I got an amazing opportunity with a travel ECMO company to start over the summer. The pay is better and I know a ton of people who work for them and love the job and the managers. I already interviewed for the job at my hospital and I found out I got the travel job a few days ago. I need to talk to my ecmo manager and withdraw my application, but I don’t know what to say. I think maybe one or two other people applied for this job too. It’s such a small group of people and a niche specialty and I don’t want to burn any bridges. Any advice?