HELP!! Which job do I take?!

cracklingkraken, ASN, RN · May 4, 2016

Hi all! So I am at a bit of a crossroads with where I should take myself after graduation.
My two options, which I am GRATEFUL for, are a Neuro ICU or a pediatric ER.
However, with graduation comes over 90K in student loans. Do I stay home with my parents for a few years and commute an hour to the pediatric ER? Or take the ICU position two hours away from home and have to find and apartment, etc. and have to make payments that are less on my loans?
I am just struggling so much with this and ANY advice would be helpful. I would be happy in either position, I just am not sure what would be the best initial move for my first job in nursing along with loans.

An hour commute will eat up gas quite rapidly. A 2 hr drive easily takes a quarter tank of gas for my car.

sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN · May 4, 2016

Both commutes are taxing in time and $......

you are wise to pay on those high loans.....honestly can not wrap my head around 90g

you need to consider an efficiency apt, or roommate ...

12 hour shifts turn into 13-14hrs, then you add the commute, not much left in 24hours for sleep....therefore living where you work, is not a luxury, but a necessity.....

some of the major teaching hospitals have pre arranged discounted apartment rates, check into that....I know here in Texas at UTMB, several apartments give like a 20%, discount to UTMB employees.....

taking this into consideration, which job opportunity is most appealing to you....new graduates find hospital. Work stressful, regardless of your interest, you want to minimize your stressors

congratulations, hurry up as Some of us Crusty ole bats need some rest ((smiles))....

I am very proud of you, graduation, and two job opportunities! Way to go!

Lev, MSN, RN, NP · May 5, 2016

I would take the pediatric ER position and stay home with your parents. Even the 1hr commute is not ideal. If you don't end up liking peds you can switch to the adult ER.

Zelda, RN · May 7, 2016

I'd take the peds ED without a second thought because I love peds. I commute an hour to my peds med/surg job now because the hospital is THAT good. It does eat gas - my car gets about 30 mpg and has a 15 gallon tank. I fill up at least twice a week (every 2.5 shifts essentially). But rent is expensive! I don't know where you are, but my rent in the Midwestest of the Midwest is close to $1000.

Larry3373 · May 7, 2016

Take the peds ER for the experience. I worked for nearly a year at an icu about an hour away. You essentially will lose 2 extra hours of sleep per day. However, the ER will give you critical experiences that will help you wherever you go after that. Many ER nurses struggle with PEDs patients. It will be very helpful to be able to focus on the peds population for a while. Also, you will see everything in the ER. ICU is more specialized and you will mainly see the patient population appropriate for ICU care, and even more specialized because you will be working in a neuro ICU. I wouldn't give it a second thought, go with the ER. Additionally, I would stay with my parents and save money/pay off those loans as long as they will allow you!

cleback · May 7, 2016

I would take the ICU job and, like another poster said, look to cut costs by getting a roommate.

Commuting has a lot of hidden costs and stresses. I don't think it's sustainable. For my first job, I commuted an hour and twenty minutes one way. Gas prices will eat up your money. Your car will put on an insane number of miles (I put close to 60k on mine in a year... that's aging your car like crazy!). You will live at the Jiffy lube because you have to change your oil every month. Not only that, but think about how you're going to manage bad weather and covering colleagues' call-ins (i.e., working 16-hour shifts). I'd have a solid plan in place so that you get enough sleep inbetween shifts to make working safe even when those situations arise.

Sorry to be a Negative Nancy but I obviously regretted my decision to commute.