Need advice on new job opportunities

[Livingdeadnurse]

I have been a nurse for 9 yrs. 4 of which have been an RN in the emergency dept. I am getting burnt out. Between staff shortages and many other issues I have started looking a new jobs. I have been offered 2 state jobs. One in a psych hospital and the other a prision. I don't know anyone that does this type of nursing. I would love to hear why you love or hate being a psych or prision nurse to shed some light on what I am getting into. Thanks

[Livingdeadnurse]

Also one makes a little more than the other.

[Livingdeadnurse]

Ok I did a pro and con list and decided against the correctional nurse. Too far away and way less money..

My next dilemma..leaving the hospital ER and taking the psych job. I can't tell if I won't leave because I am afraid of change or that I actually don't want to leave the ER. Not to mention going from 12 hour shifts 3 days one week and 4 days the next to 5 8 hour shifts. But it's a state job isn't that better?

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

The grass is always greener, as you know. Do you enjoy working with the psych patients in your ED? Or are you just so burned out that anything else seems great? I have been working in an ED since 2005, so I get it. It took a 9-month deployment to help me appreciate my "normal" ED life! Good luck, whatever you decide!

[Livingdeadnurse]

I do like psych patients. Not so much burnt out on ER life as much as what they keep adding to our job requirements. For the first time in a long time I am scared of losing my license due to unsafe working conditions. I dread going into work most days. But there are time I remember why I do like it. But anymore it seems few and far between. The grass isn't always greener which I why I am scared to change.

[Livingdeadnurse]

Not everything sounds greater. I did turn down a couple of job offers.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

Can you stay PRN at your ED?

[Livingdeadnurse]

Yes i can