Job Pick Help

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I would like some outsider perspective. I just graduated from a nursing program, and I have a job lined up, but I'm still at my current non-nursing job (nursing is a career change for me). Should I quit my current job and take my 1st nursing job or keep my current job and look for a PRN nursing job?

Here are the situation highlights:

  • In the past couple of years, 2 members of my family have had some ongoing health issues that have been stressful and time-consuming, and one of my children is experiencing some issues again, so there will be appointments and extra support needed.
  • My children are in elementary school, and I want to spend as much time with them as possible.
  • Husband recently took a new job-more pay and responsibility.
  • We have a good deal of debt and need some home repairs.
  • I decided to go to nursing school for many reasons-personal interest and a better chance at a steady and better income; however, since I started, my non-nursing job income has improved.

Job #1 (Current Job)-I've been there a long time, and it's a 20 minute drive. When I started the nursing program, this job was contract, so I did not get paid year round, there was very little PTO, and pay was not competitive; however, it's very family friendly (no weekends or holidays and great hours). In the past year, contract was changed so there is year-round pay, a nice pay increase, great PTO, and there's a good deal of flexibility. It still has great hours, but I'm maxed out on salary and there is not much chance for advancement.

Job #2 (Job Offer I've accepted)-It's a 1 hour drive, in a unit I'm interested in, although there has been some negative reviews with the hospital overall. They also offer a grad nurse program, which not all local hospitals do. It will mean more pay, with the possibility of making much more in the future, which could greatly help. However, since I'm starting over, my PTO will be nearly non-existent, I will not see the kids on days I work, and the schedule won't be nearly as family friendly. I'm afraid if I don't take this one, I will miss out on the training a grad nurse position offers; however, with the hospital's reputation, I'm concerned with me staying there long-term.

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That one hour commute may be a deal killer especially if you have kids. I had a one hour 45 minute commute, I'm single and it damn near killed me. I think your kids will suffer but you know them better than I do.

Also your 12 hours shifts will not likely be 12, more like 13-14 then add two hours commute to that.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.

How about none of the above?

As a new grad, you need to get a full-time job and get a least six months to a year of experience prior to switching to a contingent role. Few places are going to be willing to pay for a new nurse's orientation if she is only gonna work a few times per month

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Specializes in Pediatric Specialty RN.

As a new grad myself, I will say that PRN jobs for new grads seem to be nonexistent. I had a friend who was trying to do that and they were told the same thing everywhere - get some experience first and then go PRN. PRN means that you can jump in. Not getting trained and oriented to only work 16 hours a month or whatever PRN is in your area.

You went to nursing school for a reason. If you want to be a nurse, then find a full time job (either the one you've accepted or another FT position) and work a couple of years and then go PRN. As far as schedule goes, that comes with the territory. I'm a second (third?) career nurse as well and the schedule was something I definitely needed to consider before going to nursing school. I'm just not going to be able to be at everything. No FT nurse can.

If your current job doesn't have much room for advancement but your nursing career does, make sure you aren't being too short sighted, regardless of the comparisons NOW. Ask yourself where you want to be in 5 years. Even if you hate this first job, it's experience....which will open the doors to other positions. It will be harder to land a job later if you've graduated nursing school and then NOT worked as a nurse for a while.

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31 minutes ago, Nurse Magnolia said:

As a new grad myself, I will say that PRN jobs for new grads seem to be nonexistent. I had a friend who was trying to do that and they were told the same thing everywhere - get some experience first and then go PRN. PRN means that you can jump in. Not getting trained and oriented to only work 16 hours a month or whatever PRN is in your area.

You went to nursing school for a reason. If you want to be a nurse, then find a full time job (either the one you've accepted or another FT position) and work a couple of years and then go PRN. As far as schedule goes, that comes with the territory. I'm a second (third?) career nurse as well and the schedule was something I definitely needed to consider before going to nursing school. I'm just not going to be able to be at everything. No FT nurse can.

If your current job doesn't have much room for advancement but your nursing career does, make sure you aren't being too short sighted, regardless of the comparisons NOW. Ask yourself where you want to be in 5 years. Even if you hate this first job, it's experience....which will open the doors to other positions. It will be harder to land a job later if you've graduated nursing school and then NOT worked as a nurse for a while.

Thanks for the feedback! There are non-hospital jobs that take new grads in PRN positions in my area.

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Specializes in school nurse.
1 minute ago, greenjellico said:

Thanks for the feedback! There are non-hospital jobs that take new grads in PRN positions in my area.

What types of settings? It may or may not be a good idea professionally...

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

I never recommend a new grad take a PRN position. You won't get the training, support or continuity that builds critical thinking.

Where I live, a one hour commute is standard. Heck, you can't get to the neighborhood grocery store without it taking a half hour.

A full time acute care position is likely to be 12 hour shifts. This will leave you four days a week to make your appointments in. PTO builds up quickly when working three 12s, because you can often schedule yourself on the far ends of two weeks and have a hefty chunk of time off in between, all without missing a day of work.

Don't compare your current job to your new career. You worked hard to get this. Don't shoot yourself in the foot by hesitating to jump in. Take the nursing position.

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6 hours ago, ThePrincessBride said:

How about none of the above?

As a new grad, you need to get a full-time job and get a least six months to a year of experience prior to switching to a contingent role. Few places are going to be willing to pay for a new nurse's orientation if she is only gonna work a few times per month

There are several locations that provide full-time orientation before you move to PRN- even at hospitals.

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5 hours ago, not.done.yet said:

I never recommend a new grad take a PRN position. You won't get the training, support or continuity that builds critical thinking.

Where I live, a one hour commute is standard. Heck, you can't get to the neighborhood grocery store without it taking a half hour.

A full time acute care position is likely to be 12 hour shifts. This will leave you four days a week to make your appointments in. PTO builds up quickly when working three 12s, because you can often schedule yourself on the far ends of two weeks and have a hefty chunk of time off in between, all without missing a day of work.

Don't compare your current job to your new career. You worked hard to get this. Don't shoot yourself in the foot by hesitating to jump in. Take the nursing position.

Yep, they will definitely be 12's. Thanks for the feedback!

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5 hours ago, Jedrnurse said:

What types of settings? It may or may not be a good idea professionally...

There are several, including LTC, Corrections, and even hospital jobs.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.
56 minutes ago, greenjellico said:

There are several locations that provide full-time orientation before you move to PRN- even at hospitals.

I just got a new contingent NICU. I got two days of orientation.

If you mean full-time orientation as in 36 hours, then yeah maybe for a couple of weeks. But no new grad RN will be able to function in an acute care with just two weeks of training and only working a couple shifts a month afterward.

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I agree that two weeks of orientation would be rough. I can't speak for all places, but I know that local hospitals have 12 weeks of orientation before going PRN.

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