A tale of two job offers...

[NurseMandii]

Hi there! I have been a long term lurker and peruser of this website, and after my 2 years of working on pre-reqs and 2 years in the ASN program I am just now finding myself in a predicament where I feel the need to seek advice from an unbiased source. I've been lucky thus far having lots of family and friends in the medical field to help me thus far, but at this point I'm looking for more professional, honest, and as I mentioned, unbiased input.

I am 3 months post grad, just tested and passed TTL in Feb.

I took the very first job offer I got, in a LTC facility which is over an hour drive away, and on night shift. I am still orienting with them, and another facility literally is now begging me to come work for them. They are offering me a day full time shift position straight out of the bat, and it's only five minute from my house.

Personally, I feel like the 5 minutes away/day shift would work wonders for my family. I've been on nights for a total of one week and find myself so drained I come home in tears only to sleep for five hours before having to go back in for my next 12 hours. I know that night shift is it's own beast, and takes some adjustment, but I feel like the drive really is what makes this suck. The hour and a half drive though is to a five-star facility which is international and has a very good reputation, while the closer facility is only a 3 star facility.

Do the ratings really make a difference or mean anything in these circumstances?

Is it impossible for a new grad to take on day shift successfully fresh out of school? (I have heard it is considerably harder and more fast paced.)

Will bailing out on the job I am orienting to take the better offer be a huge mistake on my professional reputation?

If I do decide to go with the latest offer, what would be the best way to handle informing my current employer? I don't think they would really want a 2 week notice, since I am still orienting.

Any input or advice would be so very greatly appreciated.