Deciding between jobs

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

Trying to make decisions:

Job A- I had an interview earlier this week for a freestanding birth center position. It's per diem (as RNs only come in when there is actually a birth), at least 2 days per week for 24 hour shifts. I used to work there, and I feel like the interview went very well. About 20 minutes from home. Pay is $27/hour.

Job B- New grad position at a small local hospital an hour north of me (not usually a lot of traffic between here and there). Would be FT, 3 12 hour shifts per week. I met with the manager of the LDRP unit last month and did a job shadow, and while I haven't yet interviewed (applications just closed yesterday), I feel like I have a good shot at that position. Requires a 2 year contract. Pay unknown, but probably a little more than Job A.

Job C- Second interview coming up next week for a night shift ICU position 20-30 minutes (or more if there's thick traffic, but unlikely for night shift), full time, 8 hour shifts. My old clinical instructor works there (on PMs), and I'm sure had a hand in my getting called for an interview. It is down to two candidates, myself included. Pay probably highest here, I would guess close to twice that of Job A, plus NOC differential, which I understand is 19%.

No offers yet. I could potentially do jobs A & B at the same time, depending on how the shifts fall. My long term goal is L&D/women's health/CNM. The hospital for job C has L&D, and I'm sure I could transfer there at some point, but I'd want to put in my time in ICU (which I think would be excellent experience). Proximity is a factor, and job A offers zero guarantee of hours. Income is also a factor, and I am almost certain job C would pay the most. I am the primary breadwinner at home, so it's important that I make good money (not that any of these would render us poor).

I should hear about jobs A & C next week. Not sure about job B, but obviously if I accept job C, I couldn't accept either of the first two. If job C goes to the other candidate, the manager wants to interview me for the other unit she manages (not L&D!).

Any input is appreciated! Always nice to hear perspectives I haven't yet considered.

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Specializes in NICU.

I would go for C. Job A has no guaranteed hours which can cut into your income significantly. Job B is an hour away, the wear and tear and gas cost would also eat into your income. Job C, you said, would pay the most, is half the distance as Job B, and you are getting 80 hours per pay period instead of 72 hrs. So that would be an extra $640/ month ($40*16 hours) in income+ gas savings over job B.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.
I would go for C. Job A has no guaranteed hours which can cut into your income significantly. Job B is an hour away, the wear and tear and gas cost would also eat into your income. Job C, you said, would pay the most, is half the distance as Job B, and you are getting 80 hours per pay period instead of 72 hrs. So that would be an extra $640/ month ($40*16 hours) in income+ gas savings over job B.
That's the one I've been leaning toward. Luckily, gas mileage isn't awful, as I have a Prius C, and my husband and I have talked about getting a small place up near the hospital that's an hour north (job B), because there are things up there we like doing on occasion, but I agree that the commute may wear on me. I've done it before for way less pay (health fair job). It wasn't bad, and I've gotten to know the area.

I like the idea of working 12 hour shifts, and having the rest of the week available. That's part of the appeal of job B, not to mention the area of nursing. I could adjust to nights.

I looked it up, and the pay for job C is $56/hour with NOC differential (for staff nurse I). Not sure if there's specialty pay. That's definitely appealing!

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Job C allows you the best opportunities for future advancement.

You are fortunate to have so many offers.

Job A nets you exp. that may be favorable for eventual L&D transitioning, but I still think the ICU would be the best bet.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.
Job C allows you the best opportunities for future advancement.

You are fortunate to have so many offers.

Job A nets you exp. that may be favorable for eventual L&D transitioning, but I still think the ICU would be the best bet.

No offers yet, but they're all very promising. I don't want to count my eggs before they're hatched!

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Job C sounds best to me due to distance, chance to more to your dream specialty and pay. 12 hour shifts are awesome, I love the 4 days off per week! night shift is no big deal once your body gets used to it. I found the key to that is to eat and sleep on your days off at roughly the same schedule as the nights you work. That way you get used to it pretty quickly.

best of luck! I know this has been a tough road for you and you really do deserve a break!

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.
Job C sounds best to me due to distance, chance to more to your dream specialty and pay. 12 hour shifts are awesome, I love the 4 days off per week! night shift is no big deal once your body gets used to it. I found the key to that is to eat and sleep on your days off at roughly the same schedule as the nights you work. That way you get used to it pretty quickly.

best of luck! I know this has been a tough road for you and you really do deserve a break!

I wish that was one 12 hours! It's 8. Job B is the one that's 12 hours. At least 5 nights a week means I could keep my body on that schedule. Plus, my gym is open 24 hours. :) I could go work out on my nights off.

Thanks for the support!

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I work out on my nights off, stay up until dawn everyday, and eat lunch at midnight. I can honestly say I am now a night person and do not mind it at all!

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Specializes in Labor & Delivery/OB Triage.

Option A would worry me without the guarantee of hours/pay. But, as you mentioned, could be a really cool supplement to Job B.

The pay for Option C sounds great but have you ever worked nights? I know there are so many people out there that love it and adjust with no problem! I worked nights for a year and my body never did adjust well. I loved working at night and loved my team, but I just couldn't transition on my off days to a normal schedule.

My other bit of input would be looking at your final goal of Midwifery. I feel like obviously an L&D position would set you up perfectly to transitioning into Midwifery school and so on. Do you have a passion to do ICU as well? If your passion is Women's Health I would lean towards Option B. Although I know there are a lot of people out there that may disagree with me and say ICU would offer invaluable experience, which I would never argue. However, if Women's is what you want to do and you have goals to further your education/role into Midwifery…why not get started now in the area you love?

Just my 2 cents. I was told to do Med/Surg out of Nursing school to get the experience but knew I wanted to do Women's….so I chose L&D straight out of my BSN and fell in love with it! I just recently graduated with my FNP and I'm now branching out into Family Health as an NP…but I've been in L&D for a little over 6 years now and I LOVE my job!

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

Well, the offer for Job A came in today. My second interview for Job C is in the morning, so I asked if I could get back to her with an answer. If the ICU job doesn't get offered, I will definitely accept the FSBC position, and try to work as much as I can.

I have done nights before with various positions, and I've worked rotating schedules, so I know how I handle the schedule.

I think with the ability to get into acute care, with it being as close as it is in comparison to Job B and the guarantee of hours with Job C, not to mention the possibility of eventually transferring to L&D there, Job C is currently the front runner. I would honestly be bummed to turn down the birth center job, and if I have to turn it down, I will tell them that I hope that they're willing to consider me if they need a nurse and it's a better time in my life and career to take a position there.

I feel like I need that acute care experience in order to get my foot in ANYWHERE. I haven't heard anything about Job B yet, and I'm not going to call and harass them about it. I imagine they're still sifting through resumes for the initial elimination round.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

Second interview today went well. Really hoping to hear very soon... I feel bad keeping the birth center on hold.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

Well, Job C went to the other candidate (I guess there were 133 applicants). I'm interviewing for the ED position next week, but have accepted Job A.

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