Choosing between 2 job offers. HELP!

Specialties Geriatric

Published

Hello fellow nurses!

I am a new LPN grad, recently licensed with no nursing experience other than my clinical rotations. I have been applying to jobs everywhere because they are so few and far between around here and I was hoping to land just one job. Well, I have officially landed 3. So I need some help because I can't decide which is best. As a new grad, I'm very limited on cash right now, my husband works full time daylight, and we have a 2 year old daughter.

Job 1) LTC Facility, very close to home. hours are 3-11p full time with benefits although the benefits are very expensive. This is a very small 40 bed facility with staff that stays forever so the chances of a different shift are minimal. The DON interviewed me and made it clear that raises "might" come once a year and they scrutinize every single thing you do. He actually kind of scared me from wanting to work there. But here, I can wear the many pairs of scrubs I have already purchased. That's really the only plus I see to this job. The pay is $14 an hour. No tuition reimbursement, etc.

Job 2) LTC Facility. Nearly 50 minutes away. 270 Bed Facility with a high turn over rate. The position is part time to start with potential for full-time, 11p-7a shift. I can pick up as many hours as I would like as they have been recently sold and are highly understaffed currently. They require a particular color scrub, so I'd have to figure out how to pay for all new scrubs. they offer benefits but when I've been asked, everyone is unsure of what the benefits are going to be as the contract with the new buyer is still being negotiated. They apparently offer tuition reimbursement but no one seems to know about that either. I have a friend that works there that loves it but she is at work literally 2 shifts a day, 7 days a week and runs around like a chicken with her head cut off. This pay with shift diferential for nights would be 16.68 per hour.

Job 3) LTC Facility. 20 minutes away. 301 bed facility with a high turn over rate. Part time position with full-time potential after 90 day probationary period. Rotating shifts. I can pick up hours as ell. They provide scrubs. They have benefits but they are very expensive so as a plus, they offer you an extra 165 dollars per pay period, just extra money, to offset the costs of the benefits, whether you choose to take the benefits they offer or not. They offer tuition reimbursement. A total of approximately 2500. I know 3 people that work here. Went to nursing school with all 3. One, I'd rather never see again in my life, and 2 I have no issues with but nursing school was the most horrible time of my life. The treatment of students by other students and staff was so bad that I ended up in a severe depression. It changed my entire personality for that time. So my real worry about this place is, will these people cause me an issue?

If you were me, which job would you lean toward. I really need help figuring this out. Please.

Hmm, I think I would rule out #2 just for the sake of the shift 11-7 is tough and it being 50 minutes away. I know aides that make $14-17 an hour, and the fact that they require you to buy more scrubs and if money is tight- that becomes an issue too. With job #1, what is the pt to nurse ratio- I see that it has 40pts in the facility, is that to one nurse or two?

Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

I don't know where you live, but the pay you quoted is horrible. I start new grad LPNs at $20.00 and that is for day shift.

I don't know where you live, but the pay you quoted is horrible. I start new grad LPNs at $20.00 and that is for day shift.

I live in a very small place in pennsylvania. the pay for an LPN around here varies from 13-20 with 20 being a more experienced, higher end pay. RN's in the area make mid 20's.

With job 1, it would be approximately 20 some patients per nurse, but my problem is, with my 2 year old, daycares around here won't keep children any later than 5 p.m. and my husband works evenings most times... from about 7 am sometimes into 9-10 p.m. I'm not fond of nights, but I think it's what i have to do.

Go With 3!

I live in a very small place in pennsylvania. the pay for an LPN around here varies from 13-20 with 20 being a more experienced, higher end pay. RN's in the area make mid 20's.

With job 1, it would be approximately 20 some patients per nurse, but my problem is, with my 2 year old, daycares around here won't keep children any later than 5 p.m. and my husband works evenings most times... from about 7 am sometimes into 9-10 p.m. I'm not fond of nights, but I think it's what i have to do.

Sorry if this is a bit off topic...I also live in a very small town in Pa and I'm curious what region your in...I'm in NE PA. I have no clue what my starting pay would be so in just trying to ballpark it. Also your the first small town Pa member on here I have met :)

For what it's worth if go with number 3. Don't let people stop you from getting a job ever! Plus who knows how long they will last and you may end up liking the job. Good luck :)

Sorry if this is a bit off topic...I also live in a very small town in Pa and I'm curious what region your in...I'm in NE PA. I have no clue what my starting pay would be so in just trying to ballpark it. Also your the first small town Pa member on here I have met :)

For what it's worth if go with number 3. Don't let people stop you from getting a job ever! Plus who knows how long they will last and you may end up liking the job. Good luck :)

Near Johnstown/Pittsburgh PA. :)

Near Johnstown/Pittsburgh PA. :)

Oh ok thanks. In on other side of Pa then lol. 2hrs from Philly. There is NOTHING around here so I'm nervous about being about to find a job.

Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

It depends what is important to you.

The first choice sounds good but if you tuition reimbursement then that might not be a good choice. But on the other had it's a smaller facility, so it's less nurse-to-patient ratio & also not a high turn over rate.

Three could be possible if you're willing to work nights. Don't let other people dictate where you will work. But it is a bigger nursing home, more residents & people have told you it has a high turn over rate which I have found out is true. Also you have to wait to get full time status.

Good luck & congratulations!

As a new grad, you may want to consider the first job, since it is a smaller facility and it seems more stable. There are experienced people that would be able to really help out when you need it. (Which as a new grad, you will!) LTC is not easy.... there is a reason there is high turn over at those facilities, and if they pay higher than others, that should also be a clue. They have to pay higher to entice people, but in the end it's not worth it (I learned that from experience). I ended up taking an $8 an hour pay cut, and I am much happier. Good luck to you!

As a new grad you may want to consider the first job, since it is a smaller facility and it seems more stable. There are experienced people that would be able to really help out when you need it. (Which as a new grad, you will!) LTC is not easy.... there is a reason there is high turn over at those facilities, and if they pay higher than others, that should also be a clue. They have to pay higher to entice people, but in the end it's not worth it (I learned that from experience). I ended up taking an $8 an hour pay cut, and I am much happier. Good luck to you![/quote']

I just started at a LTC facility and I am liking it so far. The nurses I've trained with the past 3 evenings are really knowledgable and helpful. Some of the aides are really good but I've seen a few that are lazy. Anyway I just wanted to say I agree with MinnieMorrisRN, the places that offer a higher pay rate is because they have such a high turnover rate and is just trying to entice people. I accepted this job offer because it is a smaller facility and I've heard many good things from previous employees. The pay is average but it is a good start for a new grad like myself who loves geriatrics and needed to start somewhere. Good luck to you and remember a higher paying job does not necessarily mean you will be happy there!

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