needing some advice, what would you do?

[dixiebelleRN]

Let's say you have a (nursing) job you've been doing this job for about 5 months now... it pays well, you don't hate what you do but you really don't love it, you don't live for it. You don't find it challenging or thrilling. You currently don't work weekends AT all however it IS 5 8 hour shifts, (not the most desirable) and also it's union.

you get offered a new job, which is essentially your dream job, it's in critical care, (which is what I was always certain I'd do, never a wavering thought). It's a rotation through 3 ICU's (surgical/trauma, neuro, C/T) and at the end of 4 months, you're offered a definate position in one of them. The shifts are usually rotating IE 7a-7p then next week 7p-7a (and I don't really have a problem with that). It does require you to work either 1 out of 4 weekends or every other (depending on which unit the final offer comes from). The pay is a little less, about 3$ per hour, however the shift differentials are better.

Which do you choose?

[dixiebelleRN]

ohh no i have to do 2 summer holidays and 2 winter holidays... now the new place its 1 holiday a year it alternates between summer or winter

[April, RN, BSN, RN]

ohh no i have to do 2 summer holidays and 2 winter holidays... now the new place its 1 holiday a year it alternates between summer or winter

Sorry, I assumed since you had no weekends or rotation that you didn't have holidays either. Go for the new job! From the info you are giving here, I really can't find any reason not to. It will be new and challenging for you. It will be great experience and look great on your resume. You like the schedule. You have less holidays. They pay for your grad school. Did you really need to question if this is a good move for you? Accept the position already! :)

[dixiebelleRN]

I wanted to but I felt that I was only seeing the good and not seeing the hang-ups.... you know you only see what you wanna

[Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN]

I say go for your dream, but be prepared to stick with it if that dream turns out to be a nightmare. You don't want to look like a job hopper on your resume.

[Kyrshamarks, BSN, RN]

Rotating shifts? places still so that? I thought that went out of style 15 years ago. That was the last time I ever had to do one.

[dixiebelleRN]

Well it's more a new nurse thing, after a set by the unit amount of time (ie 6 months, 1 year 2 year max) it varies by the unit you're hired into, you don't have to do rotating shifts OR weekends anymore, you're on one set 3 12hour shifts.

[Mrs. Sparkle Pants]

It sounds to me like you have made your decision Enjoy your new job!

[mentalhealthRN]

Never seen a hospital where everyone didn't work weekends--well except one. One I worked at offered no weekends and shift of your choice and free parking to nurses there over 20 years. But other then that everyone works weekends....Me....I like my time with my son and wife and she works days, mon-fri and we like to travel and stuff so a mon-fri job is what I find appealing. I need a balance of home life and work and working crazy shifts and weekends and evenings doens't allow that........so honestly I would stay where you are if I were you--however if you are young and have no kids or spouse then maybe doing the crazy schedule thing now is good.

[dixiebelleRN]

Never seen a hospital where everyone didn't work weekends--well except one. One I worked at offered no weekends and shift of your choice and free parking to nurses there over 20 years. But other then that everyone works weekends....Me....I like my time with my son and wife and she works days, mon-fri and we like to travel and stuff so a mon-fri job is what I find appealing. I need a balance of home life and work and working crazy shifts and weekends and evenings doens't allow that........so honestly I would stay where you are if I were you--however if you are young and have no kids or spouse then maybe doing the crazy schedule thing now is good.

I do have a spouse but he works swing shifts 8hours 4-12a and 11p-7a so... that won't really make much of a difference in our lives.

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

I think you have decided to take the new job. It sounds good except the rotating, but maybe you will be able to work a straight shift. Or you will adjust to rotating.

It sounds incredibly generous in today's economy. this is the kind of situation that used to be available everywhere but now seems totally not available. Did they put it all in writing? Seriously, you should ask for this all to be written down so you can read and re-read and read it again.

I hope it all works out well.

[OldNurseEducator]

I say, GO FOR IT!!! I agree that life is too short...this way you'll get lots of critical care experience. Young people have the energy to do all that shift changing. Just make sure that the pay is very similar, accounting for the shift differential and all. Good luck.

[nurse2033, MSN, RN]

Money isn't everything. Your happiness is worth much more. I say follow your heart. There is nothing more dehumanizing than punching a time card for the paycheck. If you are really passionate about something it usually leads to bigger and better opportunities.