Help Me Decide Based On Your Experience

[MomWifeNurseStudent]

I'm an LPN new grad and am decided b/t 3 positions at the time, 3 very different positions.

For starters, I am late 30's with 3 active kids in weekend sports, mostly in the Spring but some in the fall as well. 

Job #1 is telemetry unit at a local hospital (they just started opening back up to LPN's), rotating shifts 7-7, with every other weekend. 2 12's per week. Second lowest paying, by $1 (except for shift differential). Would use the most "skill" and maybe be most beneficial if I did decide to go back to school.

Job #2 is pediatrician office, 3 days per week (not set days), 1 Saturday (for 4 hours) every 6 weeks. No holidays. Weekly hours anywhere from 24-30 in those 3 days. Lowest paying of the 3 jobs, but best position as a mom.

Job #3 is at an LTC. 24 hours per week (unsure if it's 3 8's or 2 12's.). Pay is amazing and differential is even better. Likely some weekends and holidays. But concerned about the stress that comes along with LTC (or everything I hear ...)

I am unsure if I will go back to get my ADN ... that is the plan, but it likely won't be for another 2 years, so I'd potentially like to keep whatever job I get until I actually am finished with the ADN - which could be about 3.5 years in its entirety. 

My husband is super supportive in whatever I do, but I cannot come to terms with either. This program was super hard in itself and I just want to do something that I will be proud of, after all of that hard work getting this license, but I don't want to overdo it and regret taking a specific job just b/c "it sounded cool" and feel like I made the wrong decision. 

If anyone is in a similar situation or can give recommendations based on their experiences as a new nurse, plus family time, I’d love to hear it!!

[LovingLife123]

I’d do the pediatrician office as a fellow mom with boys quite active in sports.  It sucks to miss things and they are only young once.  

I finally got a job with very few weekends and I’m so much happier to be with my kids more.

[Guest 1152923]

This is such a relative question.  Personally, as an older nurse with no kids, work/life balance is my #1 consideration so I would opt for the less hours/stress and perhaps, less pay.  Hospitals and LTCs are likely going to require weekends, holidays, and perhaps nights to cover call ins and are probably not the best fit if you're wanting predictable hours and low stress.  I would go with 'door number two', but ultimately, it's your decision.  Good luck:)

[Golden_RN, MSN]

If getting your RN is in your future, you should definitely take the tele job.  But don't minimize the physical toll of rotating between 12 hour nights & days if you haven't done that before.  Rotating 12 hour shifts + 3 active kids does not sound fun at all.

Personally I loved working LTC (and hated tele), so don't count it out.  You don't mention which shift they offered you, which would weigh heavily on your decision.  You say weekends/holidays are "likely" and I'd say "definitely," maybe even every other weekend.

I've worked 24hr/week both 8s and 12s, and this schedule gives a great work/life balance.

[ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP]

Rotating shifts sounds like hell on Earth. I would eliminate Job #1 on that alone.

Job number 2 sounds like a dream. Yes it pays the lowest and you won't gain as many skills, but it sounds like you are at a place in life where you need the flexibility for your family. This sounds great.

Job 3 sounds great in theory: you will gain a LOT of skills in LTC, the pay is amazing and the hours don't seem atrocious. However, are you prepared to work weekends and holidays and deal with the stress of LTC? I think LTC may be one of the most challenging specialties out there as the ratios and workload in LTC is insane.

Honestly, I would got with number 2...you have three kids, why add on more stress than you need?

[SmilingBluEyes]

I concur with the poster above. I would chose job #2. Rotating shifts are killer and LTC (in my experience) sucks. Not the residents, usually the staff and lack of staffing.

[JKL33]

Opinion:

#1: Rotating shifts = Absolute NO. I think it is unnecessary and inhumane at baseline. This is at the top of the list but there are also plenty of other acute care shenanigans in recent years.

#3: LTC = No, due to too much staffing sketch and actual risk.

I would go for the peds office setting as being more family friendly (some of that obviously dependent on the admin and culture).

[amoLucia]

Isn't this the basis of another post?

[MomWifeNurseStudent]

14 minutes ago, amoLucia said:

Isn't this the basis of another post?

Yes, sorry! I didn't realize that people went to different boards. I tried to delete but I don't know how either?! Either way I am thankful for all of the replies!! ?

[amoLucia]

The other post's responses were leaning toward the office position.

People scoot around & read everything. As a result, many do recall very similar postings.  And it becomes somewhat disconcerting for respondents that the OP then looks for different answers - like why did we bother to respond in the first place? Like the OP dismisses our well-meaning answers. Sadly, happens quite freq here.

[MomWifeNurseStudent]

10 minutes ago, amoLucia said:

The other post's responses were leaning toward the office position.

People scoot around & read everything. As a result, many do recall very similar postings.  And it becomes somewhat disconcerting for respondents that the OP then looks for different answers - like why did we bother to respond in the first place? Like the OP dismisses our well-meaning answers. Sadly, happens quite freq here.

Well that wasn't my intention. I originally posted on the LPN page, but I didn't know if many people went there so I decided to try general nurses. I just wanted to get more people to see and respond, not discount anyone. 

Sorry. It won't happen again. 

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

The pediatrician office sounds like the best fit for now. What is the job description ... what skills will you be learning?