New grad first job as Clinic RN?

[GOAL2BRN]

Looking for some advice from the seasoned nurses out there. I graduated from nursing school with my ADN in 12/19, licensed in IL in 1/20, had our second child in 4/20 and now I have been looking for jobs. I am currently enrolled for my BSN and hold a BA from my previous college days and a failed career as an educator.  I have experience in AP/AR and office management. 

Finding a job in the IL Chicagoland area without a BSN has been challenging since I didn't work as a PCT somewhere during school. I have managed to get 2 job interviews within the last week. One for a nursing home where I would be the only nurse with 1 or 2 CNAs all night in charge of 22-30 residents and the other for a float pool clinic nurse within a hospital in WI. I don't feel good about the nursing home job. It just doesn't seem safe and I worry that if I have an emergency with my kids I won't be able to leave since there is nobody there to cover for me. The float pool clinic job intrigues me. I would work within different specialty clinics within a hospital. It's M-F 8:30-5:30 PT with the option to pick up more, no nights, weekends or holidays. This seems like a great option since my kids are still young (4 yrs old and 5 months old) and I am working on that BSN. However, the pay isn't great. But I am wondering if some of those positives outweigh the pay right now? I also want to know if taking a job a clinic nurse is a mistake as a new grad. Obviously there will be skills that won't be used and I worry about that. However, I'm not sure if floor nursing in a hospital is really something I want to do. Do I take a pass on the clinic job or give it a chance? What would you do?! 

[Curious1alwys, BSN, RN]

I agree with the others on many points. You could try it, see how it goes, if it doesn't work out, you leave. Next job just say working in clinic wasn't right fit for you. I will agree that biggest downside if the whole emergency situation thing. In a clinic, oftentimes, it all rides on you as the licensed person. That sucks! So if you don't have enough experience/confidence that can really be nervewracking. 

I hear ya about the work/life balance thing as a mom. Nothing more important than your kiddos. ? 

[CommunityRNBSN, BSN, RN]

7 hours ago, Curious1alwys said:

What DO you do there, out of curiosity? 

I would divide it up into three parts I think. 
1- Patient education. Patients who are, for example, newly diagnosed with T2DM come in for nurse visits so we can teach them about insulin, glucometer, diet, etc. This is my favorite part of my job.

2- Case management type work. Helping patients understand specialist visits, and helping them get appointments with people who will see Medicaid patients. Procuring DME for them.  Getting them refills and orders for imaging. This is my least favorite part of my job. 
 

3- Triage work. We have an urgent care center where I work sometimes doing this; we also have a phone line that rings all day with patients needing advice over the phone. I enjoy this as well. 

[GOAL2BRN, BSN, RN]

On 10/2/2020 at 6:14 AM, Hoosier_RN said:

Have you been offered both/either jobs? I tell folks not to stress until they have that offer in hand. Good luck, but I too will err on the side of caution with Wuzzie. As a new nurse, who hasn't worked, floating can be a not very ideal situation, even if the hours/setting seem great

An official offer was made. However, after much consideration I turned it down. Part of me feels crazy for doing so but I don't think there would be much time for me to spend with the kids during the week or do my coursework for my BSN. Plus daycare just sent out increased tuition rates and an updated covid policy. They will be sending and kids and their siblings home if the have a new runny nose or cough or other various symptoms. They must stay home for at least 3 days, get a negative covid test or a note from the doctor.  My son is constantly getting sick at daycare and my daughter would for sure get sick k being new to the environment.  I didn't feel like I could be a reliable employee like that. So, I think PT or nights is where its at for now. I'm sad but I'm hopeful something else will come along.