career advancement...what to do? help

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I've been a LTC nurse for 4 yrs & tele/ms for 1 yr. I love the LTC setting. I've recently been offered career advancement to either unit manager or staff development coordinator. Both seem interesting & I'm eager to learn. But I don't know which one to choose? I'm thinking it would be best to start out as SDC to learn the company/state policies & procedures like the back of my hand so I will be better at implementing them down the road. I loove to learn & attend seminars as well. I'm trying to get pregnant so the flexibility the SDC position has to offer is great & the difference in stress is clearly obvious. HELP I need some advice based on others opinions/experiences.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

I recommend taking the job. Opportunities for advancement are few and far between. You can always go back to what you are doing now, if you do not like that position.

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Thanks, but which one? unit manager or staff development nurse?

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

Staff development. Not nearly the amount of headaches as manager!

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.

Staff Development. There is less turnover/burnout/firings with that job, I think.

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I've been a LTC nurse for 4 yrs & tele/ms for 1 yr. I love the LTC setting. I've recently been offered career advancement to either unit manager or staff development coordinator. Both seem interesting & I'm eager to learn. But I don't know which one to choose? I'm thinking it would be best to start out as SDC to learn the company/state policies & procedures like the back of my hand so I will be better at implementing them down the road. I loove to learn & attend seminars as well. I'm trying to get pregnant so the flexibility the SDC position has to offer is great & the difference in stress is clearly obvious. HELP I need some advice based on others opinions/experiences.

If you're about to get into a position that will take a lot of your time (ie. pregnancy) then I would suggest taking the Staff Dev Coordinator because it's flexible hours mostly and the responsibilities are not as much. The Unit Manager position will definitely demand more of your time and is much more stressful. 2 cents.

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Thank you all! Staff development is/was what my gut is telling me to go for and I placed my request this evening. I'm soo excited as I'm an advard learner and love to teach.

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