What Should I do?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Med-Surg, HH, Tele, Geriatrics, Psych.

i have a decision to make, and i really don't know what to do. i thought i would put it to my fellow allnursers for advice. here it is:

for the past year, i have worked as a "traveler" for a local hospital (i will call it #1), which is about 10 miles from my home. the hospital has some issues, mainly staffing. my contract will soon be up, so i decided to take a permanent staff job at a hospital that i had worked at before (i will call it #2), about 40 miles from home. when the manager at hospital #1 found out that i was not renewing my contract, she offered me a staff position as well.

i always have a hard time making decisions. i usually make a pro/con list and i also go with my "gut instinct".

here are the particulars: both have the same sign-on bonus. i was set to accept #2's offer because the salary was very fair. then, to my surprise, #1 stated that they would match any salary that #2 offered me.

#1. close to home, in my own community, 3 nights in a row-same every week..never any weekends. the manager is new. i have heard good things about her from others, but i don't know her. she has some good ideas if admin. will let her implement them.

#2. 80 miles round trip (gas is going up in cost every week, + wear/tear on my car). will work every other weekend. better insurance than #1. i would get to learn computer charting. i know and admire the manager. she is fair and reasonable.

at both places, as a full time charge nurse, i have the opportunity for leadership, and hopefully to make a difference. both managers are recruiting hard, and i don't know what to do. help!!!!!

any advice, ideas? i am all ears! :bugeyes:

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Hi Bugaloo,

Well, here is my humble opinion. With the cost of gas going sky high, I definitely would work closer to home. Also, how nice not to work the weekends. When I was working in an ALF, our days were set. This was really great. When I was working in HH, hated putting all that mileage on my car.

Good luck with your decision...

OklaLPN

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Specializes in OB.

Figuring that gas will likely hit $4/gal soon, figure out how much less you would be making after deducting the extra gas costs. You may also want to consider that it says good things for you that the local manager wants you as an employee enough to offer these extras such as matching the salary offer.

Finally, the other hospital will still be there if in the future you decide the local place doesn't suit your needs for whatever reason. Just be extremely politic in turning down whichever option you decide against at this time to keep your options open.

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I'd choose #1 hands down. No commute, it'll save you money, they obviously are happy with the work you do and you already know the ins and outs of the place. There's always an adjustment period when switch jobs, I'd go with what was familiar.

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job #1 sounds like a better choice for me. i wonder if there are huge differences in wages. unless the wage is not much, i would choose #1 becuase you save money on gas, you dont have to work weekends. and if i choose to stay with #1 job, i would renew my contract because they pay better than the permanent full time position.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, HH, Tele, Geriatrics, Psych.

job #1 sounds like a better choice for me. i wonder if there are huge differences in wages. unless the wage is not much, i would choose #1 becuase you save money on gas, you dont have to work weekends. and if i choose to stay with #1 job, i would renew my contract because they pay better than the permanent full time position.

actually, i need to take a staff position for better insurance coverage for my family. if i take a staff position, i will be saving at least $500 a month, possibly more. otherwise, i would definitely stay with the travel position.

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Specializes in Day Surgery, Agency, Cath Lab, LTC/Psych.

I would pick option #1 because I know that a long commute adds so much extra burden to a job. I have worked at jobs with a one-hour each way commute and it just wore me out. It was like working a 10 hour shift instead of an 8 hour shift. In your case that would be a 14 hour shift.

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Consider the wear and tear on your nerves as well as your car. Are you going to feel like getting up earlier to drive the extra thirty miles? Are you going to feel like spending that extra time in the car after your shift? The money you save on gas and car maintenance might make up for the difference in benefits.

True, you might make a little more money if you work weekends (I think just about everywhere has a weekend diff), but who wants to do that? If it has been awhile since you worked weekends, it probably doesn't seem so bad. But having a set schedule with no weekends would be amazing. I'm jealous!!!! So I agree with everyone else - #1 seems like a much better option. What is is about #2 that makes you want to consider it? Is there something great about it that you miss? Is there something you don't like about #1 that you're not telling us? Whatever you choose, good luck!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, HH, Tele, Geriatrics, Psych.
so i agree with everyone else - #1 seems like a much better option. what is is about #2 that makes you want to consider it? is there something great about it that you miss? is there something you don't like about #1 that you're not telling us? whatever you choose, good luck!

i worked at #2 for 6.5 years and have been gone for 2.5yrs. i left to do hh.

at #2, i really like the clinical manager. she is great to work with. also, since i left, they have started computer charting, and i would like to learn that. also, they have really good insurance.

#1 is so much closer to home, and i really like that. a new company just took them over, so things may improve there. they do things differently than #2, and sometimes, i am like, "huh?", but i have gotten used to that. everyone is very nice at #1 as well.

i am seriously leaning towards #1 because i feel that i have an opportunity to make a difference towards the positive. also, no weekends!!!! sometimes, i am so tired after a 12 hr night shift, that the thought of having a long drive in front of me would really stink. also, it is in my home community, and i feel that i am making a difference in my community...it is my neighbors, friends and family that i am caring for. anything extra that we do as a health care facility reflects well on our county, and i can be a part of that.

i really appreciate all of your responses. you do not know how helpful it has been. thanks again. :redbeathe

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

#1 sounds like the better option. A hospital job with no weekend requirement doesn't come along that often. And the shorter the commute the better especially with the price of gas always going up. Good luck with your decision!

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Specializes in Med Surg, Hospice.
I would pick option #1 because I know that a long commute adds so much extra burden to a job. I have worked at jobs with a one-hour each way commute and it just wore me out. It was like working a 10 hour shift instead of an 8 hour shift. In your case that would be a 14 hour shift.

Soooo true.... If I could work closer to home, I would do it in a heartbeat. The only problem is, the local hospital only hires RNs, and no LPNs.

I'd go with the local hospital. You'll save money in the long run.

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Specializes in Trauma/Burn ICU, Neuro ICU.

Hi Bugaloo,

Here is my thought:

You are very fortunate to have two such great options to choose from!! Enjoy whatever you choose.

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