Decided to respect my mental health!

[priyaremi]

I had previously posted on here relating to deciding on whether to opt for a homecare RN position or a hospital one. I am a new grad and graduated last September 2015. I had been offered a PDN position with a lady with a peg, trach and ventilator but decided to decline as I thought I may not get the exposure I needed for future career prospects.

HOWEVER, I attended an interview and was offered a hospital job today for med/surge. I realised that it was a disaster when I asked the interviewers what the patient:nurse ratio was. They had no answer and spent five minutes talking about new documents that were coming out etc and blah blah blah. She eventually said that on a ward of 32 patients that there would USUALLY be 4 nurses!!. She said sometimes only two or three depending on available staff. This is one of the busiest hospital in the country. I then asked her whether I would get any training or induction and she said "It could be a month after you start" and its for a few hours!!!!. *****?!!. I am fresh out of college and no training or orientation whatsoever is available!!!

They offered me the job at interview and I said that I would think about it over the weekend. I am 40 years old this year and a death wish is something that I do not have. I rang the agency about the PDN job and she met with me this afternoon. I met with the family and they seem lovely. It is full time and permanent and one patient!! It also pays a lot more than any of the hospital jobs. Why kill myself, perhaps a patient and my nursing licence just to get broad spectrum experience?. I am at peace with my decision now and hope it goes well. The agency told me that I can shadow for three months or more if I want it due to the vent and trach etc. They will also send me for trach and vent training. What more can I ask for!!!. With the questionable practices in healthcare where I live, I think I will be staying on in the community for the forseeable future!!!

[roser13, ASN, RN]

Good for you! Sounds like a great opportunity.

[priyaremi]

Good for you! Sounds like a great opportunity.

Thank you roser13

So excited to start my first nursing position.

[OCRN3]

True ... Hospital is not all it's cracked up to be and if your states has no ratios!!! Run! Happy for u!!

[nutella, MSN, RN]

There is nothing wrong with picking a position and job that you feel will be right for you!! Congratulations to your job! I worked in the community and did not regret it. I can compare both settings as I have done both and home care can be extremely satisfying, you can make a true difference. There will always be a job for you in the community plus you do learn a lot of skills !!

Good luck!

[Natasha, RN, BSN]

Congrats to you!!! Sounds like you had a gut feeling to not take the hospital job that would leave you running around like crazy with a high nurse to patient ratio and limited training. Run for the hills from that one! lol

Again, congrats :)

[priyaremi]

Thank you so much 😊 everyone for the lovely and encouraging feedback. You are so kind to take the time to reply. I start my new job next week.

[middleagednurse]

trachs and vents offer good learning opportunities

[Nomad_Nurse1]

Go you! I've realized that one can not work to their full potential as a nurse if their mental health is suffering. You can ALWAYS go back to the hospital if your current position isn't what you want. You won't regret it.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

You have learned early in your career the most important part of being a nurse-advocacy...you have advocated in making the best decision in order for you to be the best nurse you want to be.

Best wishes!!!

[LDAthleteNurse, BSN, RN]

I'm happy for you! Wishing you the best of luck :-)

[nars_wannabe]

Good for you! Congratulations!