I have 2 years exp. as a psych nurse (but only PT/PD), 1.5 as a MH counselor, and a BA in psychology
Job A: 32 hours in a psych hospital; 24 hours eves on a 6-bed unit where I'd be the only nurse--I'm not so much concerned about safety (pts are less acute/screened out for hx of violence), but missing having co-workers around/feeling lonely. other 8 hrs would be as admission nurse for the hospital. Pay is good, but Id rather not be on eves (my SO will probably work days). I *would* get a stronger psych nursing foundation, though, and I know I like working on an inpatient unit. Also, all the nurses I met seemed to be v. happy working here.
Job B: FT "Health and Wellness Nurse" for MH agency that works with chronically MI clients in the community/group homes; I would be involved in creating health/wellness education programs, doing staff trainings (for MHW's), case mangement, advising on medically compromised pts (HTN, diabetes, in residential programs), supervise 2 other health/wellness educators. The job sounds exciting- I like advising and education, and the shifts are days! However, I don"t have much supervisory experience and I'm worried I might have too little experience. Also, the job is a lot more responsibility--one of the things I like about nursing is that I can come home at the end of the day and be *done*-- no deadlines, long term projects, etc like I have been deaing with for the last 5 years in school.
Option C= wait for something better..I submitted my app. for an inpatient unit, 40 hrs 12-8p which is a great shift and supposedly pays very well. *But* I would most likely be giving up Job A.
I have been offered Job A will hear back from Job B on Wed; I just wanted to ask ahead of time/in case to get the most responses!
Thanks so much
-ivy
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