Help! Need to make a decision quickly

Specialties Geriatric

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Specializes in Geriatric, Pediatric, Hospice,Psych.

After searching far and wide for a decent full-time or part-time job with benefits and acceptable pay, I finally landed two interviews, one at an ALF/ Subacute facility (early March), and one last week (late March) at a LTC/ Subacute facility. Here is the dilemma:The first interview at the ALF/Subacute facilty went well, but I did not hear anything from them (interview was over two weeks ago, I was told I would get a call within the week of the interview). While I was waiting for a response from them, I went on another interview at another facility and was offered a part-time position on the spot which pays $4 more per hour than the other facilty,and the facility is 15-20 minutes from my home, which is wonderful. :yeah:I went for my physical / drug test last week,and now I'm waiting for the call from the facilty to get started ( I was told that it takes a week-week and a half for test results to get back because urine samples are sent out to Utah to get tested and results are faxed back :anbd: Not to mention, now I have to wait until their next orientation date! In the midst of awaiting a call back from this facilty, I received a call from the first facilty with a full-time job offer ( facility is about 45 min from home and pay is $4 less an hour). I told the DON that I would call her tomorrow and make a decision because their orientation starts early next week. I am not sure what to do because the first job offer sounds ideal, however it is a longer wait to find out what is going on. The second job offer took a while to get back to me, but I can start soon. I am so confused and I need to make a decision quickly :redlight: but I dont want to make the wrong choice because I won't get another opportunity like this again. Any advice?

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

full time > part time:up:

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Specializes in NICU.

Keep the part-time. You will probably not enjoy the commute to work for the first job (or spending the gas money to get you there), plus it's less pay! Pick up extra shifts, and let it be known you would like to be considered for a full time position when one opens up (and one will eventually open up).

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Specializes in Med surg, LTC, Administration.

I agree with the top two post, but, devils advocate here, ALF, generally have less stress. You will be assured a full time position. You could always tell the LTC, you will work per diem for now and start the ALF. If you then decide you don't like the drive or whatever, you still have your foot in at the LTC.....sorry, I hate decisions too....

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Specializes in Geriatric, Pediatric, Hospice,Psych.
Keep the part-time. You will probably not enjoy the commute to work for the first job (or spending the gas money to get you there), plus it's less pay! Pick up extra shifts, and let it be known you would like to be considered for a full time position when one opens up (and one will eventually open up).

You are right, it would be better to just take the part-time position because it is closer and the pay is better. Its just taking so long for them to get me started. I am so eager to get started because I have been working per-diem for a home care agency after leaving my last job, and have not been getting any hours lately. I guess I should be more patient and just wait until the next orientation.

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Specializes in Home health was tops, 2nd was L&D.

Are you positive you have both jobs for sure?? The drive time is only 25 mins difference, but the pay is $4/hr more! You need to consider your car, cost of gas, your fondness for driving and what type of commute it would be? You could do as other poster said and pick up extra shifts and request full time if it becomes available. Do you feel good about the part-time place? Better than the full time place? can you manage on part-time wages for now? Only you know how you felt at each facility. LTC would pay more than ALF but may have more opportunities also..not always though. The LTC nurses I have met have told me ALF is less stress.. But this only applies to those I have met, so it might not be true for every nurse, every facility? You need to weigh your options and then you should be able to decide. We can just offer suggestions and point out your options..Good luck with whatever you chose.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

If you are not needing any employer's benefit, I vote for the closer distance one.

45 minutes of one way drive is a long drive. at least 1 1/2 hrs a day is used up on the street.

Gas price is going up every day, so you need to put this factor into your consideration.

It will be hard to keep up with both jobs from the beginning.

I vote for the second job offer for more money and less commute time.

Good luck on your decision ! :):nurse:

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Specializes in Geriatric, Pediatric, Hospice,Psych.
Are you positive you have both jobs for sure?? The drive time is only 25 mins difference, but the pay is $4/hr more! You need to consider your car, cost of gas, your fondness for driving and what type of commute it would be? You could do as other poster said and pick up extra shifts and request full time if it becomes available. Do you feel good about the part-time place? Better than the full time place? can you manage on part-time wages for now? Only you know how you felt at each facility. LTC would pay more than ALF but may have more opportunities also..not always though. The LTC nurses I have met have told me ALF is less stress.. But this only applies to those I have met, so it might not be true for every nurse, every facility? You need to weigh your options and then you should be able to decide. We can just offer suggestions and point out your options..Good luck with whatever you chose.

Thank all of you for your responses! I definately have a lot to think about before tomorrow. Yes, I was offered both positions from the DON's of both mentioned facilities, just waiting for the LTC/Subacute facility to let me know when next orientation starts. The ALF already has a date for me to get started, I have until tomorrow to let the ALF know if I accept or decline the position.

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Trust your intuition....it will never let you down!

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Tough decision. I would be a little put off that the first facility told you they would call within a week and didn't. It was over two weeks before you heard anything. Granted, I know things happen but that is just inconsiderate. That would put me off big time but i'm wacky that way.:twocents: As mentioned earlier...follow your intuition.

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Specializes in family practice.

I would just like to point out that one is part time. Is it fixed part time or per diem. Ask them what part time is. For me full time trumps part time but thats just me. Also note that most LTC facilities have a lot of patients involved. Just wanted to get in my 2c. If you can accept both to check them out it would be great

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Specializes in Geriatric, Pediatric, Hospice,Psych.

I finally got the ok to start orientation this week for the job that is closer to where I live. I was going crazy waiting for them to let me know when I could start.

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