Need professional advice

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in Allergy/ENT, Occ Health, LTC/Skilled.

Long story short I just started working at a LTC near my house PRN last month. I have been through training and am now on my own. It's less pay than I wanted but due to the proximity I was willing to give it up. BUT a skilled nursing facility associated with a hospital (that I really, really want to work out when I graduate) has called for a PRN interview as well. I applied there eons ago so I figured it was a lost cause. I am currently in my LPN to RN bridge program, due to graduate in 18 months. My school is also affiliated with this hospital system so this is also a plus. Because it's all skilled patients, my nurse to patient ratio will be 1:6 whereas at the LTC I am now the ratio is 1:25 (10 of those skilled).

I unfortunately can't do both. I have three kids under 7 and to avoid daycare is a bit of a dance that I can only do with one PRN job. My only availability right now is on the weekends as well. My current job requires you to work 2x/month, not sure about the interview coming up but it would be difficult to fulfill both job requirements.

Anyways, what would you do? I really want this new job if I am offered it (more pay as well), it's more skilled and higher acuity than I have been in before, and it will give me invaluable experience when (and if) I get a hospital job after I graduate.Plus an internal transfer to a hospital as a new grad is much more likely than getting hired off the streets as one.

But I also learned the hard way to not burn bridges and do not wish to do so with my current position as they are great and have been super about training me.

UGHHH what to do?!?!

Specializes in Allergy/ENT, Occ Health, LTC/Skilled.

please?! After 104 views, someones gotta have some advice lol! I'm really stuck :(

Specializes in ER, Med/Surg, Telemetry, Dialysis.

I would respectfully resign from my job and take the new one!

I think you should give it a shot. Interviewing won't hurt anyone. I would personally go for the opportunity that will benefit me most in my future. The only thing I can see as a problem is if the new position will conflict with childcare. As for burning bridges if your current employer can't understand that you need to do what's best for you and your family then that's not a place you should be working to begin with. I hope this helps a little 😊

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Specializes in Allergy/ENT, Occ Health, LTC/Skilled.

I can work child care around 1 PRN job, it was just having two PRN jobs that was going to be hard to do, plus super stressful working out two PRN schedules. Thanks for the comments!!!

Specializes in Reproductive & Public Health.

Can you consider utilizing daycare maybe? I know the cost can be astronomical (I've got two kids myself!) but in many cases it makes good financial sense in the long run.

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
I can work child care around 1 PRN job, it was just having two PRN jobs that was going to be hard to do, plus super stressful working out two PRN schedules. Thanks for the comments!!!

I agree that you need to take the one that is pays better and offers more opportunities but would also suggest keeping an open mind about doing both jobs as that is the best of all worlds imo. The beauty of a PRN gig is that you don't have the major commitments. The place requiring 2 weekends a month might be willing to waive that for a good employee if there is a staffing need. Good luck.

Specializes in Allergy/ENT, Occ Health, LTC/Skilled.

We have used daycare before but since this is a PRN job it makes finding a quality one next to impossible :( I would need drop in care and I can't find one offered for infants (I have an 11 month old) because they have to hold to certain ratios with infants. I wish it was easier/cheaper to find!!

Specializes in Reproductive & Public Health.
We have used daycare before but since this is a PRN job it makes finding a quality one next to impossible :( I would need drop in care and I can't find one offered for infants (I have an 11 month old) because they have to hold to certain ratios with infants. I wish it was easier/cheaper to find!!

Ahhh gotcha. That does make it more difficult!!

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