3 Job offers- who should I choose?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hi I have 3 jobs offers and I'm not too sure which one to choose. Each job has its pros and cons so please help me decide. Just alittle about me I am new to the San Diego area. I am a military spouse with a three year old son. My husbands schedule is pretty hectic so its like Im a single parent 75% of the time. I was recently a LPN but went back for my RN and this will be my 1st job as an RN out of school.

1st job- Pros: Will offer me what I want an hour. Will offer me day shift. Position RN Charge. Weekends rotating. Cons: I didn't get this offer to begin with, I actually turned down the job because the DON wanted to put me on 3-11 but I guess day shift " magically" opened up. So I'm a little hesitant to accept. Plus communication can be off at times between staff that I've noticed from my interviews.

2nd job- Pros: Will offer me what I want an hour. Will offer day shift. Position RN Charge.

Work every weekend for 2 months. Cons: Working every weekend for 2 months then not knowing if that'll change. I told them I'm opened to rotating weekends but due to short staffing they are in need of a RN charge on the weekends. I would use that time to train for RN charge position on the weekdays but this position will be short lived because I'll be filling in for a nurse going on maternity leave. After she returns my schedule is suppose to still be days but I don't have to be weekend charge anymore. The interviewer said that she is sure more shifts will open up for me in the day by that time.

3rd job- Pros: Will offer day shift. Position MDS. Off every weekend. Can advance in company within 2 years. Cons: Not offered what I was asked for an hour ( $6 less)

Im on a time crunch. So please tell me your input. Thanks!

If you can afford the MDS position ... I'd take that.

Those other offers seem iffy...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
" I don't really know what MDS mean but from what you've explained, I don't really want to deal with just ICD and care plans all day."

You are NOT a family nurse practitioner, or you would know what MDS means. It's better to use your BRAIN than your BRAWN. Bedside in an LTC is just plain nuts.. if one has an option.

I have experience in LTC bedside nursing from being a LPN and yes it could be hectic throughout the shift but the RN's were hardly ever at a cart. They would handle admissions, discharges, orders, provider phone calls, help cover lunches, and etc. I would love to do the MDS job that was offered to me but the pay soooo low even for San Diego's salary average. I have bills to pay since I've been out of work for over a year to go back to school. If I take that job then it means I make $1000 less a month, YIKES! I also thought about the opportunities the MDS position would give me but I also thought about what the RN charge would have to offer as well. I've met plenty of DON's and ADON's who were floor nurses, charge nurses, etc. So if I come to the point where I want to do more I'll see if I can with my current employer first but if not then there are other places. But, I don't see myself doing that anytime soon. I want to be comfortable making critical decisions before I even cross that bridge. But thats what I LOVE about nursing, its so diverse and there are opportunities knocking at almost every door. Thank you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
If you can afford the MDS position ... I'd take that.

Those other offers seem iffy...

Its not the worse offer in the world but I based what I wanted off some research. I can afford the pay but that means certain bills will take longer to pay off than expected. The employer was very positive and the environment welcoming, it's just that hourly pay. It also is very important for me to be with my son since my husband is always away at sea. I'd just hate for our son to barely see any of his parents! Ugh! Now I don't know again! Sighing.... I think this decision has to do with present mind thinking vs future mind thinking. The guy who offered me the MDS job told me he liked that I was eager to learn because there's so much to learn at the company and room to grow. That was one reason I didn't turn down the position but asked for a day to think about it. MDS today then DON tomorrow. Decisions..Decisions...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

#1 sounds better to me. But, I know nothing about MDS.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

And $6 is a big difference

Up Vote Up Vote ×

So I took the time to do the math and it would take my husband and myself 9 months to be debt free from with the job offering $6 less and 8 months with the two other jobs. I didn't factor in deployment pay for next year so we may be debt free a lot sooner. A big plus is that I'll have a set schedule and off EVERY weekend which is great so I can do things with my little guy. So I'm going with the MDS position so I can grow within the company. Thank you ladies for your input it was greatly appreciated!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
MDS coordinators are nurses who are responsible for ensuring the accuracy and compliance of patient charts. They review charts for correct coding and make sure that data is transmitted to hospitals and other medical providers in a timely manner.

FNP's know this, you're welcome.

I just asked two NPs what an MDS nurse is and neither had any idea.

You've been kind of snippy lately. Everything okay?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Well I was going to say MDS but you beat me to it!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.
LTAC is very busy during 7-3 shift

the positions are in LTC, not LTAC...sorry, I can never seem to let that one go. But yeah, two completely different things, LTC & LTAC.

That said OP, I would choose #1 for the same reasons CocoaLover stated.

I also personally wouldn't be able to stand being an MDS RN; I really dislike office jobs. Plus if you ever do want to do bedside outside of LTC, I'd be concerned that the MDS position would pigeon hole you. That's just me though; others would LOVE to work a non-physical nursing job. If that's you, go for it.

As a married woman whose husband works typical office hours and with kids in school, I would have a really difficult time committing to every weekend. And by that I mean there is no way in Hades I'd commit to every weekend. If they gave me a definite end date for the every weekend in writing, I might consider it if the job had other benefits to me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
the positions are in LTC, not LTAC...sorry, I can never seem to let that one go. But yeah, two completely different things, LTC & LTAC.

That said OP, I would choose #1 for the same reasons CocoaLover stated.

I also personally wouldn't be able to stand being an MDS RN; I really dislike office jobs. Plus if you ever do want to do bedside outside of LTC, I'd be concerned that the MDS position would pigeon hole you. That's just me though; others would LOVE to work a non-physical nursing job. If that's you, go for it.

As a married woman whose husband works typical office hours and with kids in school, I would have a really difficult time committing to every weekend. And by that I mean there is no way in Hades I'd commit to every weekend. If they gave me a definite end date for the every weekend in writing, I might consider it if the job had other benefits to me.

I've been thinking about the MDS position effecting my chances of becoming a bedside nurse in the future but to be honest it doesn't bother me. I started my career off as a bedside nurse but when I had my son I wanted more stable hours so I worked an urgent care clinic M-F and no weekends. And I don't regret my decision. I was there to make my son dinner ,read him a book, watch a cartoon or two and watch him fall asleep. I think with my husband being in the Navy and always being away is the reason why I have this strong need to be with my son as much as possible. He's still young so I don't see myself even considering hospital hours or having too much of a varied shift anytime in the future. So the MDS coordinator position is right for this girl. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Urgent Care, Oncology.

My vote is for number 3. You should have used the poll feature!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I just asked two NPs what an MDS nurse is and neither had any idea.

You've been kind of snippy lately. Everything okay?

I'm fine thanks, Might be getting ready to start my period though.:roflmao:

I don't understand how advanced practice nurses can be unaware of the MDS role.

"MDS coordinators basically act to become the guardians of quality care and service at the start, duration, and ending of the whole treatment process. "

I think it's disrespectful to the profession to be unaware of other nurses's roles. Will bet the rent they know what DDS and DVM means.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment