New grad mom- looking to make right decision (NYU vs Outpatient clinic)

[DianaGarc0127]

Hello,

I am a recent new grad who has been looking for an RN position for about 3 months now and have been lucky enough to have 2 job offers on the line. One offer is from an Out patient cardiology clinic affiliated with winthrop university hospital, working 5 days 7am-3pm (so works pretty well with 2 kids!). The other offer is from NYU-Langone Medical Center! working the night shift of course. At first I was thinking "How can I say no to NYU???" But then I started questioning whether it was fair to my kids to perhaps be away more often during the night shift, and on top of that because NYU is about an 1 and 1/2 commute it would take me longer to and from work. :/

I feel that NYU would offer more opportunity for my future, but obviously my kids future is equally important. Oh one more thing on top of NYU being a top academic institution and offering great benefits, the salary is $15,000 more than that of the out patient clinic.

I'd love to hear from any moms out there who have kids and work the night shift along with a decent commute. Do you feel that you miss out a lot on time with your kids because you're sleeping in all day?

Any input is appreciated!

Thanks!

[RunBabyRN]

I realize you've probably already made your decision (congrats on two offers!!), but I thought I'd weigh in, anyway. :)

I say it really depends on your long term goals. Night shift isn't the worst thing, and you'd probably be sleeping at the same time you'd be working at the other job. That's how I plan to do it if I get a night job- sleep while my son is in school, take a nap in the evening, but be up in the afternoon when he's home or at soccer practice or whatever.

The commute is a factor, or course. It's up to you how well you can tolerate that, especially after working the night shift.

Gaining acute care experience really opens doors, and not getting it early on can make it hard to ever get it, specially in saturated markets like NYC.

The salary, consider what you'd be spending on gas/wear and tear on the car/transportation when looking at the pay difference.

Your happiness is ultimately #1 here.

I hope whatever you decided is working out well for you!

[hellosmile]

Whoa, you are a supermom! Which one did you end up picking? I would pick NYU because I don't have kids.. but the Winthrop one is 8 hr day shifts and a shorter commute, which I think is worth it since you have 2 kids!

I've been applying to NYU like crazy, but getting no responses Do you mind sharing how you were able to get through to them?

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

I would take the cardiology clinic job. If you want to get into acute care, you can always transfer within the university hospital. I don't think the commute and paying for babysitting and the potential impact on your kids and your health is not worth the extra 15K.