Med/Surg vs. Clinic

[KT_RN]

Hi all!

I live in Seattle and have been a med/surg RN for nearly 3 years. I commute down to Federal Way, making it about a 40 min drive. I have been really needing change in my life so started applying to a bunch of new jobs just to see what would happen. I got a ton of response but now am having a hard time making the right choice. I am sick of med/surg but don't know if the clinic would keep me on my toes. So here's my options:

Option 1:

I was offered a 0.9 FTE Days at Swedish on a med/surg floor.

Pros: Closer to home, keep updated on critical thinking/skill set, avenue to get into a different specialty through Swedish.

Cons: STILL med/surg, high acuity, same crap

Option 2:

I interviewed today at a fertility clinic in Seattle.

Pros: WAY less stress, very welcoming environment, better morale

Cons: I feel like I'd lose some critical thinking skills, can't move up in specialty if I decide I want to (I still have not found my niche in nursing so I'm not dying to do any one thing)

**I was thinking as an option too with the clinic I could work per diem at my current hospital on the weekends to keep up with skills**

Pay is pretty competitively the same.

What are people's experiences, opinions?

Thanks so much!

[NurseCard, ADN]

Three years on a med surge floor is not a TERRIBLY long time,

as you of course know, but it is still long enough that I think

you've gained a ton of critical thinking experience and skils

that, as long as you stay in the nursing profession, you aren't

going to just lose.

Still, I would remain PRN on the Med Surge floor if you can,

and take the clinic job.

[cleback]

Would you really pick up hours if you're already doing full time at the clinic? To me, that would not be sustainable long term if work-life balance is important.

I hate to say it but I would first do some digging and see how easy internal transfers are at Swedish. If it's reasonably easy, I would go that route and get into a specialty that really interests and challenges you..

The exception is if you find fertility treatment very interesting or rewarding or if you can't handle another medsurg experience. Good luck!

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Med-surg sucks.. you know that... and you want out. If you get the clinic job, grab it. You will always have your critical thinking skills.. and be able to move on the future.

[ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP]

You have three years of med-surg and you say you want something different. For that reason, I would go with the clinic job and stay per diem in med-surg. Best of both worlds!

[guest358111]

Don't ever underestimate less stress and better morale! Those two things are worth their weight in gold! And per-diem is always available if you are worried about keeping up your skill set. :)