Two job offers...torn on which to choose - advice?

Nurses General Nursing

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I have been applying for job after job after job...finally was offered and accepted on working 3 days/week in home health..no call, no case management, salary (not hourly) plus mileage. The office is about 30-35 min. from my home BUT everything is computerized so unless I need supplies I don't have to go in. I realize there will be miles driven because it's home health but there are no requirements for uniforms other than professional scrubs. I would cover a country right next to mine. I've worked home health in the past so I know, like with any nursing job, the day can change and the paperwork is computerized. The draw back is - which isn't a huge deal to me (no kids) - most of the visits will be on weekends. I am suppose to start this week.

Lo and behold a hospital I interviewed with SEVERAL weeks back actually emailed me a few minutes ago (yes, on Saturday!) -the recruiter was very apologetic in the email - stated she had emergency surgery and thought her assistant had followed through with everyone but he hadn't so..she was spending the weekend touching base...in a nutshell, I have the job at the hospital..it's PRN, 7a-7p but the needs are fairly high so working a 2-3 days/week doesn't sound like it would be a big deal, the draw back is the hospital is 50 miles one way from my home...I would have some flexibility with the days I work but again, it would depend on the unit needs.

I am really, really torn about this. I don't think the days in home health - though it's 3/week, will be, on average nearly as long as working the 12's in the hospital nor as stress filled. I left the hospital environment in early 2010 and have not been back in that setting. And haven't missed it for the most part.

I am not interested in working both jobs. That would defeat the purpose of me not working a M-F position - which I did in a doctors office for 3 months and HATED it.

Feedback?

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Marshall,

The home health job is definitely closer to you and compensates pretty well. The hospital job doesn't seem to measure up. But, all of that doesn't matter when it comes down to what you're interested in doing. I don't think you mentioned it in your post, but what unit will you be working in for the hospital job? For me, I am the kind of person who needs to be interested in what I'm doing. All else is moot if I don't like what I do.

Stay optimistic,

optimism

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Specializes in ER, Trauma.

Go where you'll be happiest.

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what salary are they offering you per hour?

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

like above posts said, doing what your heart desire would be the best.

you have worked in a hospital setting before, so trying out Home Health nursing would be refreshing experience for you.

In my opinion,,,

Home Health is more patient focused nursing compare to tasks oriented nursing in the hospital settings.

I am planning to try it someday. :D

Good luck to you!

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Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.

Have you ever worked just weekends before? The only drawback to weekend shifts is that you will lose you social life to a degree. I did this for a few months on a trial basis, and decided against it. I loved my social life, and I loved my weekends with my husband to go to the coast for fishing. I found that I valued time over money, and quickly came to the conclusion that weekend work was killing my happiness. I felt a very real disconnect with friends and family.

The hospital job seems to be a good one, but dang! 50 miles?!?! That's a lot of gas money, sista!

Write down the pros and cons of both on one sheet of paper. On another, write down what is important in your personal life. Compare the two, and come up with an answer.

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Any reason you couldn't do both?

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Even though the home health job is mostly weekends you would have your foot in the door to take a position that isn't all weekends when one came available. Was there a specific reason you left home health? The hospital job would probably require weekends as well at times plus being prn their needs could change at any time and may not give you the hours you need/want. It sounds like the home health job is a better option and it sounds like you'd rather be there anyway.

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Specializes in Peds/Neo CCT,Flight, ER, Hem/Onc.

I don't know...50 mile commute and a PRN position. That means you would be the first called off for low census which may not be the case right now but who knows what the future may hold. If you rely on your salary maybe taking the sure thing would be the best route. Would you have to work all the hours the PRN position needed or could you do one day a week?

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With the homehealth job you have to see how far some of the jobs are that you will be traveling to. I know at most hospital jobs you only have to do so many shifts per month. Sometimes you only have to do two shifts depending on what package you choose. I know you don't wanna do both, but you might want to try both until you see which one you like best.

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Specializes in Pediatric Cardiology.
I left the hospital environment in early 2010 and have not been back in that setting. And haven't missed it for the most part.

It sounds like the home health position would be a better fit since you don't really want the stress of the hospital. Working weekends I can imagine would be difficult, but like another poster mentioned - you would hopefully be first in line for a more desirable schedule. Good luck with whatever you decide.

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I'd take the home health job.

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