Help. Job Advice...Please?

[boberry]

I recently moved to nyc and have been job hunting. Since I started searching, it seems that the only jobs available are night shift, which I have done in the past and don't know if I can handle again, especially with every other weekend and friday as well as 13 shifts/mo. I have a few years step down experience at a great children's hospital.

Here's my dilemma: I currently have two job offers - one at a great children's hospital in the PICU for a night shift position. The mgr. stated I would be working nights for a 2 yr minimum, after which time I probably wouldn't want to stay in an ICU setting. The other at a pediatric long term care facillity for day shift. They are very different positions, but I was considering the LTC to enable me to continue searching for a day shift job in a hospital - possibly after 1 yr of working in LTC. If I take the day shift position, will being out of acute care for a time period damage my resume when I apply for another job? Is the lack of learning/experience worth it in exchange for personal happiness/seeing my friends/family? I don't know what to do and seem to change my mind every 5 minutes. Any advice would be MUCH appreciated. I have to decide by early next week.

[aprilr]

It is a really tough choice. I left a full time night position in a pediatric home health care agency to a day/evening full time position at a psychiatric hospital. It was hard to decided what to do, but I felt that the day job would be better for getting my homework done. I do not regret the decision. I think you need to do what is going to make you happy and what is going to be best for you in the long run, whatever that may be! Good luck.

[jackkat]

It seems that the only full time shifts available in hospitals are on night shift or a day/night rotation. I would take the night shift position and look for postings for day shift jobs. I have worked days most of my career and when I had to do the day/night thing the manager let me work twice as long on evenings because I couldn't get used to the hours. But I have to bite the bullet and go to nights. On the other hand LTC may be something you may like and be satisfied with if you can see your family/friends. The bottom line here is you usually have to work your way up to the day shift. And who is this manager that says you will want to leave after 2 years? She may be underestimating your commitment to your chosen field. Good luck to you. If you want to continue your career nights is the way to go. Post a note what you decide.