2 job offers...........torn

[proudRN]

My first job offer is with Encompass Health which is a post acute rehabilitation hospital with the hours of 7a-7p. The nurse to patient ration is 1:7 and I would be passing meds, insulin, assessments, treatments, etc. The length of stay for patients are around 10-14 days. I would be dealing with pretty much everything from stroke to joint replacements. When I shadowed there it reminded me almost exactly working on a Med Surg unit. This job is 10 minutes from my house. The second job is with a 144 bed long term and sub-acute care facility that is the best, most cleanest place I have ever seen in my life. I have the choice of either working 3-11 or 7-3. The nurse to patient ratio is 1:12 but you do not pass meds, they have a GNA that does that. The RN does head to toe assessments, insulin and narcotics and any kind of skilled treatment that is needed. Dressing changes, straight caths, etc.... This job is 35 minutes away.

I am leaning towards the second job because the post acute job reminds me of med surg, and I could not get out of there fast enough! I did 1 year of med surg and it was the most stressful thing I have ever done. I also LOVE the elderly so I would feel right at home with the second job. ( I think I am answering my own question here, haha!) My biggest hangup with the 2nd job is the 35 minute commute. Any input? Am I right, Is post acute rehab pretty much just like Med Surg??

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

Postacute is a lot like med-surg but not as easy, to be honest. Do not misunderstand- I am not saying med-surg is easy. I am saying in postacute care, the ratios tend to be higher, there tends to be fewer supplies and in general it just tends to be a harder gig.

Where I live you can't get anywhere in less than 30 minutes. I don't see a 35 minute commute as an issue.