Home Health vs LTC -- HELP!!

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I'm currently an LTC nurse with about two years of experience. I'm continuing my education through an online program and am about half-way through the program. I plan on joining the military as a nurse, as I'm still young, and feel that it would afford me many opportunities. I live in a rural area with little opportunities for nurses (hospital is full, tough to get in to and there are very few other jobs with openings).

I was offered a home health position that pays about $5 more than I make now, pays mileage and is about the same amount of time "on-duty" aside from the call that I would have to take. I'm uncertain what the call would actually entail (I assume it's worse than they claim). Mileage is about 50 cents per mile and I have a decent car that gets excellent gas mileage. I would drive approximately 80 miles per day JUST to get to the job area.

I want to have time to work, see as much "new stuff" as I can, to gain experience, but don't want to accept a job that will be difficult to manage with my academic work. I need some advice from some seasoned nurses to make an effective decision. I feel that what I have now is working, and I'm entirely happy where I am (except for the evening shifts -- which honestly work ok for my schoolwork). Friends and family tell me to go for home health, but I don't think I see the point in having to commute to work, not getting paid for mileage to the jobsite, and having less time for me (and schoolwork).

Can someone please chime in with some advice? Thanks.

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I would wait on the home health job until after school is finished based upon what you said in your post. What you have now is working, don't add stress and possible problems while you are still involved with school. That is how I see it.

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Specializes in COS-C, Risk Management.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

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Based on what you said, I have to agree with the other posts. Stay where you are. Depending on your case, home health can give you more free time but it all depends on the patient. Some are hours of free time and others you are running around the whole shift. And having to drive 80 miles?!? That alone screams no way to me lol

sounds like what you have now is working so I would stick with that

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