Help! I can't decide where to work...

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Jul 27, 2011

Well to start off, I just joined this website and I love it! It is very helpful for me so far.

Unfortunately I have something I can't decide on

Recently I got my first job as a CNA a month ago. I work at a nursing home and before that I was applying at any nursing home near by because I was trying to get whatever I could at the time. Well last week I got a call from another nursing home that I had applied at and they wanted to set up an interview. I wanted to keep my options open so I decided to go for it and I did. They ended up calling me the next day and offered me the job. I said yes because this place is a lot neater, nicer, bigger and seems more organized. Not only that but they offer better benefits and pay a little more. The only downside is it's a little farther than from the one I work at right now. The nursing home I work at right now is okay but they don't offer good benefits and also is unorganized and is kind of sloppy. The other CNA's seem to be a careless at times and it's just not very stable. I'm stuck because I'm scared of having to start all over at another place when I am barely getting used to the residents and getting to know them a lot more and getting better at knowing my way around the place. I'm even getting to know the people I work with better. I just can't decide if I should stay where I'm at now or If I should just go for this other job.

Please help me I would very much appreciate your comments. Thank you :)

Will the pay difference be enough to cover gas to the new place? The rest is a matter of personal preference and gut feeling... not a lot to offer since it's you who's there ! :) Good luck :)

Orange Tree · Jul 27, 2011

Would a working interview at the new place be possible? Or could you manage both jobs for a very short time to choose one over the other?

Congratulations, BTW. :up:

Vblub01 · Jul 27, 2011

Thank you guys very much for your support! :)

I wish I could work at both places for right now but I cant since they are both full time and both jobs start around the same time. I work evening shift which is 2pm-10pm and at the new job it would be 2:30pm-11pm.

sandanrnstudent · Jul 27, 2011

I would take 2 or 3 days off the job you currently have and shadow/orient with the new place those days. If you don't like it, you're only out 2 days of sick leave/paid vacation. If you do like it then make the switch and appreciate the brief time you were at the first place as job experience, wisdom, and a picture of where you don't want to work.

JMHO

sandan rnstudent

nurseadc · Jul 27, 2011

I agree with a prior post, shadow the new facility and then make a decision. Good luck with whatever you decide and congratulations on having a choice.

quinnie · Jul 27, 2011

Agree - shadow and take notice of the other CNAs. Talk to them about their shifts. Whether a CNA, LPN, RN, whatever - I think one of the best indications of if you want to work somewhere is to look at staff satisfaction. Ask what the CNA retention rate it - do they have people that leave after 6 months, or many that have been there for a long time? When it comes down to it, go with your gut. $$$ is important, yes, but you being happy at your job is more important.

montecarlo64, ASN, BSN, LPN · Jul 27, 2011

I would take the job at the nicer facility & try to stay on as prn at your current job.

stefanyjoy · Jul 27, 2011

take the nicer job.... In the future it will most likely look better on a resume that you worked at the nice place as opposed to the careless place... if the CNA's there have a "rep" of being lazy, how does that make you look? Also you said the sloppy place is unstable..... not worth the extra few minutes saved. It sounds like you've already made your decision.

Vblub01 · Jul 28, 2011

Thank you all for helping me out and replying to my post!

This decision was a very hard for me but I decided to go with the nicer place because at the end I need to do what is best for myself and some people are right why do I want to work at a place where the staff most of the time seem to "not care" about consequences. I gave them my 2 weeks notice and I was offered to work there as a PRN if I wanted. I felt kind of bad because I know they dont really want me to go. For me it is more of an emotional attachment that made my decision hard because I love the residents there and I really do enjoy being around them and getting to know them. But I think that's how it will be for me anywhere I work haha :)

Thank you guys again for your help!