Can't decide which job! Help!!

macenroe · Jul 10, 2014

I would definitely weigh the pros and cons of each. I personally know which job I would take, but it all depends on where you think that you would be the happiest. In the Dr.s office, you wouldn't have to work weekends or holidays, and it would be a day job. But, maybe you prefer working nights?

Another thing to consider, is the weather. Do you live in an area that gets a lot of snow? Commuting an hour each way to a job, isn't too bad in the summer. But during a blizzard, you will need to allow extra time.

One last thing you might want to consider, is the extra expense of gas for the two hour commute each day. These things would all be worth it to me, to be able to work in a doctor's office, but I'm just looking at both sides. Just things to think about, but ultimately, the decision is yours. Let us know what you decide.

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Jul 10, 2014

It seems like it would be nice to work M-F 8-5, but 5 days in a row can be really tiring if you are used to 3 shifts a week, and 4 days off. With the commute, that is a 9 or even 10 hour day, for the 5 days a week.

Plus, if you prefer nights, it is also hard to convert to days.

iluvgusgus · Jul 10, 2014

I drive 40 minutes one way to work and it is a long day, I wake up at 5 am to be at work for 7 and sometimes I get home at 9pm to do it all over again. You will be driving an hour one way back and forth 5 times a week, you may exhaust yourself.

happynurse14 · Jul 10, 2014

If you think about it, it would technically be an 11 hour day any way. 7a-6p 5 days a week (including driving) vs 7p-7a 3 days a week.

Good luck with your decision!

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Jul 10, 2014

Really a very personal decision, in the end. I have worked 20 minutes from home, nightshift where coming home in the morning felt like an hour. And I have worked an hour and a half from home, where coming home felt like MUCH less than that, because I was on days and could focus on an audiobook :)

You're talking about two major shifts: going from 3 long nights to 5 'normal' days, which is a BIG change. You may love it or hate it, depending on what the rest of your day/week is like. Kids? Spouse? Other family obligations? They all play a role.

You also didn't mention the pay for the clinic job. Extra gas (and tolls?) add to your expenses; is the new job financially worth it? Maybe it's going to result in less $ overall, but a better schedule?

I now drive more than an hour to work, one way. But I also have a M-F day job, holidays off, no on-call. No covering others who call out. It "costs" me more than working more locally, but I don't want to do any more night shifts, ever, and I'm also pretty over working weekends and holidays at this point. We all make compromises, right?

Good luck, it's a tough choice, to be sure.

BSNbeauty, BSN, RN · Jul 10, 2014

I hate nights so I'd take the Mon-Fri. However, you may love nights so it all depends on what you feel comfortable doing.