Confused/decisions

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I would like some advice. I recently graduated and obtained a position on a Medical-Surgical floor. The job is not bad but I do not like hospital nursing, I never have, I come from outpatient offices and enjoyed that much more (the pace, type of care, etc). Currently I work 3-11 full-time at the hospital and that shift is killing me, I never see my husband (he works 1st shift) and every other wknd/holiday is making me miss family events, etc. I recently applied to some outpatient offices on a whim, had a call back, went on an interview and got the offer. The position is m-f, 830-5, no weekends and paid holidays, pay difference is only $2 less than what hospital was paying me. My question is should I take the job or stay at the hospital for a year and get the much needed 1yr experience of med-surg even though I do not plan on a future in hospitals? I have been there for 5months. If I do not take the postion will there be another one just as good when I am ready to leave? I have talked to my manager about reducing my hours/working per diem (I am currently 40hrs) and was denied due to "there is not a position like that currently available". Any advice would be appreciated.

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I would go with the outpatient job for sure! if you don't want to be in hospital nursing, getting a year of hospital experience imho isn't necessary. Better to spend the next year getting experience in the setting where you actually WANT to continue working.

Normal hours, no weekends, you'll be able to spend time with your family, basically the same pay, and in your preferred practice setting? Take the outpatient job! :) and congrats on getting it!

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

If you do not plan to stay in acute care, then jump for this job as it may be a long time before another one like that rolls around.

If you do plan to stay in or return to acute care within a few years, then get the year's experience.

If you plan to return to acute care down the road after a few years, go ahead and take the outpatient job now. Most jobs require recent experience (as in the last 3 years), so even if you got your year now you wouldn't qualify if you decided to return to acute care in 5-10 years. So you may as well take the job you want now. And you could always take a refresher course if you really wanted to go back.

Best of luck whatever you decide!

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Specializes in Med/surg, Tele, educator, FNP.

Just do outpatient, nursing is not just in the hospital.

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Outpatient for sure! You can always PRN on the floor if you want to keep your status. Ask about a status change to PRN and take the OP job.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Congrats on the new job! If you really know that bedside nursing isn't for you take the clinic job!!!! bedside nursing isn't everyone's cup of tea. Tell you present employer that while you appreciate everything they have done for you and you would LOVE a perdiem position...fulltime bedside nursing isn't working out for you and you have accepted a position in a clinic and give a two week notice. Try not to burn bridges...however they may still put you on the "do not rehire" list.,

Take the job you want. Good luck!

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I'd say grab the position if this clinic seems to be a good fit. Did you get a positive impression of the work environment? It could be a frying pan into the fire situation if the docs, managers, and coworkers are unpleasant/unhappy people.

If you liked what you saw, run with it.

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Thanks everyone for advice and encouragement. If I ever did want to go back to the hospital in the next 3-5 yrs, would I be at an advantage staying and finishing the year on med surg or it wouldnt matter either way since it will be old experience? I just dont want to make any dumb career choices. Thanks

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
Thanks everyone for advice and encouragement. If I ever did want to go back to the hospital in the next 3-5 yrs, would I be at an advantage staying and finishing the year on med surg or it wouldnt matter either way since it will be old experience? I just dont want to make any dumb career choices. Thanks

If you are planning to return so soon, I'd say then it'd be beneficial to finish the year. However, even with the year, I can't guarantee that you'd have no problem going back into acute care in 3-5 years. You may or you may not.

Unfortunately any career choice comes with a meausre of risk attached...it's up to you to weigh risk vs. benefit and determine what is best for you.

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