Five Jobs in One Week

[adreamdeferred, MSN, RN, APRN, NP]

What new grad wouldn't kill to be in this predicament? I have had 4 calls for interviews plus my preceptor contacted me about a full time position on the unit in L & D all between Tuesday and Friday. I am currently a Home Health Nurse as my first choice right after graduating, however, reality has set in and I believe this job would be more suited for me in about 20 years after my children were grown and out of the house and I was just working for spending money. I am per visit and I am not probably going to qualify for benefits which are not that good anyway. I need benefits. With that being said and the fact that I cannot plan my finances because my visits vary I need to move on despite working for a great HHA. So here it is:

1. Full time RN position at a non-profit MR facility

2. Full time RN position, Days, every other w/e, on call for 12 hrs during the week and 12 hrs during the weekend, on an Acute Rehab unit in a hospital

3. Fill in RN position at State Psyche Hospital that has good potential to turn into full time with good benefits, salary capping at just over $72k (at full time)

4. Full time RN position, Days, weekly pay for a [COLOR=#666666]provider of senior living and long-term healthcare services including independent and assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing and rehabilitative services

[COLOR=#666666]5. Full time RN position on L & D unit, Nights, every third w/e

[COLOR=#666666]I have some related work experience for all positions with the exception of L&D which I only have precepting experience but I must have done something right because my preceptor told me she and the other ladies on the unit were giving the go ahead to me. The big deal about this is this hospital system does not hire new grads, you must go through their residency. I would bypass this. I'm not against their residency but against the interviewing and extra pressure because there are limited spots and I may be placed on third shift so I didn't apply. This is my big dilemma with that position, I am the biggest sleepy head. I have tried on 3 or 4 occasions to work nights, all unsuccessfully, before I had children. There is no way I could do it now with 3 boys between the ages of 3 and 10. I'm also a light sleeper. However, what an opportunity so I have given it some thought.

I am hoping for some insight into the other options I have before me. I am a brand new second career nurse pushing 40 and I would like to lay down some roots and start building retirement and be in a position to buy a slightly bigger home as we have outgrown our current one, from 2 to 5, 6 when my step daughter is visiting. For instance if offered all of them which should I choose? What could I expect on a day to day basis, patient ratios, paperwork, long term growth...

Thanks in advance.

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

That is for you to decide. We can't tell you which position you would be happy in. You are all over the board on your choices geriatric, psych, L&D, rehab, home health. There is no focus, so you need to figure out which would be a better fit for you. The decision may be easier when you actually get offers.

[adreamdeferred, MSN, RN, APRN, NP]

Yeah, I guess I am just looking for your experiences in these areas, the good and bad, growth potential from each. Ultimately I will make the decision based on my own needs and those of my family.

That is for you to decide. We can't tell you which position you would be happy in. You are all over the board on your choices geriatric, psych, L&D, rehab, home health. There is no focus, so you need to figure out which would be a better fit for you. The decision may be easier when you actually get offers.

[Red Kryptonite]

Well you already know you can't work nights, so strike the L&D position. Make sure to thank that preceptor fulsomely for such an awesome chance and express your regrets. But don't set yourself up for failure by taking a job you know you can't hack out of a sense of obligation. Your obligations lie with your family first, always remember that.

If you have an interest in psych, put that one at the top of your list....but what will you do if the potential for full time never turns into reality?

The other three seem about equal, except for the on call requirements for the rehab one.

[adreamdeferred, MSN, RN, APRN, NP]

Thank you so much for your thoughts. I am leaning toward the MR and SNF positions, again if offered. I like the feeling of small to midsize companies. The acute position appeals to me because I keep hearing the voices in the back of my head saying I need some hospital floor experience and I would be able to continue to build skills. I currently run IV antibiotics, IVIG, apply wound vacs, do dressing changes, foleys, draw blood, among other skills. I just don't want to make a mistake because despite the number of interviews I have there are still those that were looking for the hospital experience. I'm willing to "pay dues" but I know I don't plan on retiring from floor nursing. The feedback is much appreciated.

Well you already know you can't work nights, so strike the L&D position. Make sure to thank that preceptor fulsomely for such an awesome chance and express your regrets. But don't set yourself up for failure by taking a job you know you can't hack out of a sense of obligation. Your obligations lie with your family first, always remember that.

If you have an interest in psych, put that one at the top of your list....but what will you do if the potential for full time never turns into reality?

The other three seem about equal, except for the on call requirements for the rehab one.

[adreamdeferred, MSN, RN, APRN, NP]

Just in case anyone was curious, I went with the psyche position.