two job offers, what to do?

[estrogen]

OK, so now I received two job offers. Comparable wages, both very close to where I live, both LTC, one seems to be a little nicer, a smaller facility, really nice and homey. The other one seems to be more flexible with the scheduling though. Also, the first one - the manager took a week to call me back and was reluctant to pay me what I was asking. I'm sure that's why she didn't bother to call back for a week, even though she said she'll call the next day. (Some of you might have read my thread about that). The second one hired me on the spot. They were very matter of fact, immediately set up an appointment for orientation etc. So I'm leaning towards the second one, even though the first one seem like a much nicer facility. What do you all think? Am I potentially making a mistake? Should I still re-concider? I allready said yes to the second one, since the first place's manager took so long, I didn't think she'd call again...

My second and most important question is: How do I now politely decline one in such a way so that I'm not shutting the door for myself for the future, in case I'm looking for a job again? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

P.S. I allready sent thank you cards to both places for the interview and for concidering me.

[estrogen]

Maybe I should add, just to clarify... They both seemed clean and the residents well taken care of (at a brief glance of course that a quick tour facilitated by the manager allows), but the second one (let's call it LTC Nr. 2) is about twice as large and seem much bussier. They also have a vent unit there wich, comming from a med-surg floor in the hospital, seemed quite interesting to me (rather than the all dementia locked facility of LTC Nr. 1). LTC Nr. 1 however was very lovely, as it had a burning fireplace, when I came in, soft music was playing and a cat was just leisurely walking between the residents and "loving up" to them, which I found really endearing....

[live4today, RN]

Well aren't you a lucky lucky nurse....not one job offer, but two job offers! Congrats estrogen! :)

What's your gut feeling telling you to do? Ask if you can shadow at each facility for a day to get a better feel for which place you would really like better. If they won't allow you that shadowing experience, maybe you don't want to work at either one because I would begin to think one or both are not being totally honest with you about what to expect once you are onboard. Just a thought! :)

[estrogen]

Sorry for the numerous edits to my posts guys. My two little buggers (understand children) don't ever let me finish one post in peace and actually keep track of what I'm writing... Therefore all the typos and I also got LTC Nr. 1 and LTC Nr 2 mixed up on several occasions.... Sheeeesh!

Thanks Cheerfuldoer. My gut feeling is kinda tricky here... It kinda says take LTC Nr. 2 because they were straight forward with me, they're bigger, therefore there is a chance that they will be more flexible as to when and where (what station) I want to work at and there will be more interesting cases... On the other hand gut feeling also says, LTC Nr. 1 made a better FIRST impression....