LPN got offered two different jobs I can't decide!! Hellppppp!!

Lifeslady · May 27, 2012

You are blessed to have 2 job offers on the table right now. My question is how can you even consider the 3-11 job if you will be in nursing school at night? I personally would take the job at the Dr. office and kind of ignore the other stuff. It will be better for you with school and the benefits. Plus you may be able to get them to work with you on your schedule to where you can leave a little early for class if need be.

scameron · May 28, 2012

well... you are blessed!!! You need to decide which one will not interfere with school and your family! Since u are starting the RN program it would be pointless to take the job that would make the RN program be a waste of time (not being able to study or pass). 3-11 would be aweful once your 4 yr old starts school! :-)

student forever · Jul 9, 2012

ditto to the above 2 posts

notmanydaysoff · Jul 9, 2012

First of all, going to NS and working is tough. I did it when getting my LPN. my time was so structured such that any deviation from my schedule meant having to R/S something else. Work, studying, getting to/from school, clinicals, my husband (no kids, though), household duties, cooking, etc. There was a time for everything! I am starting school next mo (again!) for an 8 mo bridge program, and am planning on not working this time.

Working in an office will mean a more set schedule (8-5), but how will that work with school/clinical schedules? Sometimes I float in various clinics and I rarely get off work at the same time every day. Lots of Drs schedule the more lengthy procedures at the end of the day and can mess w/any post-work plans.

Does the derm know you will be attending school? Once you get your RN, you're gonna want to start making RN $. If that is the case, will there be a job for you there or will you be leaving? It is expensive and requires much time and effort to train employees. It might be wise to factor that into your decision. And you may be right, you may be performing the same duties as an MA if there are PAs and RNs around.

Working in a LTC facility may give you more flexibility in your scheduling and give you more experience in bedside care.

Glenna, LPN · Jul 9, 2012

You are so lucky. I am secretly jealous. I do have an on-call job as an LPN in LTC which I haven't worked at since March. The kind of things they would have me doing alone with the whole building of patients with little old me made me nervous. Or when they needed a med aide for passing meds for a 16 hour shift...ack!

Working late (3-11pm) will leave you super tired and feeling like all you ever do is wake up and work. I think to keep you sanity you'd be happier with the clinic with set hours and be able to work around school. You would still be able to have a life...and benfits!! Not to mention, better pay. When I did my clinicals for my LPN program I did it at the VA clinic and I really liked it. There was nothing going on between the RN's, LPN's, or MA's. They all worked together with no problems.

darkbeauty · Jul 9, 2012

I would figure out my priorities. The RN school you begin in Aug, are you heading straight to the program or are you starting off with your prerequisites?

Secondly, what's more important to you right now, getting bedside experience as a new LPN grad or continuing with your RN education and getting experience later? You need to carefully consider the number of hours needed to be successful in your education, not just the classroom hours for the week. For every 6credit course/courses, you need to dedicate atleast twice as much time a week in studying& preparing for that class/classes.

Thirdly, your son's schedule when school/childcare is opened. How are you going to juggle between your work& school& son? LTC care nursing is HARD, almost brutal in the beginning as a new grad. The patient load you mention sounds very heavy, depending on your actual job description& duties for your particular shift, and what's expected of you as a floor nurse. But the experience you gain is priceless, and confidence builds on with time. Dr's office can be as demanding& busy just like your fellow RN has warned you.

There's no doubt you have serious thinking& consideration to do. If I were in your shoes:

I'd jump for the LTC opportunity. Why? Once you have atleast 6months of LTC experience, you kinda have a sense& feeling of what LTC nursing is about, although I'd still encourage you continue to atleast 1-2yr worth of bedside experience. If grabbing this opportunity means changing your evening class schedule to accomodate it, then do that. Once you build up some confidence in LTC where the bulk of LPN job opportunities are, you can then register with temporarily staffing agencies and make a schedule that revolves around YOU, rather than a typical facility job where a schedule is dictated to YOU. This way, you can arrange time around your family needs and obligations, your school commitments and still be able to work and get decent wages.

The Dr.'s office job hours seem to be "in stone" and when your school demands and other commitments cut in, how are you goin' to work around it? And really Dermatology outta school...well I'd take it if there were no offers and it meant starving or get a paycheck.

*just my 2cent piece, girl*

Goodluck, and especially goodluck with continuation of your studies!