Acute Care vs Hospice

[gemmi999]

For those of you that know me, I've been working in a community ER for 8 going on 9 months; At first it was great but we have lost *tons* of staff over the past few months and it's getting (in my opinion) scary. There are nights when we have a new grad as charge, nights when we are severely understaffed (versus functionally understaffed) and I've started dreading going into work. I've already stopped doing ANY overtime because I don't want to be there more then I have to.

On a whim I applied for a few jobs in my home city in Hospice and a couple smaller ERs. I got offered 1 job that seems dream like--$10 more per hour then I'm currently making, M-F office hours OR 2-10pm, whichever I'd prefer. Working out of my home but doing house visits (Hospice).

I got another interview with a smaller ER but the reviews seem mixed online and it notes a lot of the same problems my current ER faces, with being short staffed much of the time. And it isn't my ideal city, it's 1 hour north of my ideal city, which isn't a huge distance but it still is far...

Or, since I haven't hit 1 year yet on acute-care hospital setting, I could theoretically stay in my current job until May/June, which realistically isn't that far away but it feels like forever. But then I'd have to turn down my current job offer and the huge pay raise that comes with it.

Any advice?

My career goals--in two or three years go back and get a Master's in Education; I eventually want to teach.

Personal goals--I want to start the adoption process and having a daytime "normal hours" job would probably help *a lot* with that, but I really don't know. Ugh! Why do adults have to make decisions?!?!

[nutella, MSN, RN]

I worked in acute care and home hospice CM - I am in graduate school for my MSN.

It is easier to be in school when you do not work 5 days a week. Think about clinicals and home work. I do work 8-4:30 but only 4 days a week, which is great for me but I also worked 5 days a week home hospice and it is was hard not to do overtime since there are always more patients to see or you get asked to see additional patients. You may have to cover or be on call for a certain period of time. While I had my children I did not have regular work hours, in fact I worked odd days or times to match my husband's availability so we did not need babysitters. I also worked nights for a while but that was difficult with children when they were not in school or only in school half day.

Hospice is a learning curve and there are not many educator jobs out there for hospice.

You will be more versatile if you stay in the hospital.

I did work home hospice and now work in the hospital palliative care. I love both settings and both jobs but home hospice is not for everybody and you should at least shadow with a nurse for half a day.

Going from one short staffed setting to another may not solve your dissatisfaction but perhaps their workflow is different or they are "nicer" making it less "bad". Sticking it out some more may also help you because I do think it takes 2 years until you are comfortable in your role as a nurse - things become easier with more experience in many cases as you will prob fell less overwhelmed.