New RN Confused job A or job B?

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I am a new RN and graduated over 6 months ago. I put a lot of time,effort, and gas money looking for a nursing position in my city and throughout the state over the past few months. I was so blessed to receive two job offers at the same time within a reasonable drive. Now I am confused to which one I want because I like both. I talked to my family and wrote a pro and con list of each but I still cannot decide.

One position is in a hospital one hour and ten minutes away working on a ICU step-down unit, PT with benefits. The second position is FT working with mental health and behavioral teens at healthcare facility, 20 minutes drive away, with benefits and pays fifty cents less.

I have many random ideas going in my head right now. The thing that is most important to me is personal happiness. I am at a point in my life I want to try to have kids in three years. Professionally, I hope to someday work in a children's hospital or mental health unit. I have a lot of debt due to nursing school. Last but least, I want a position that can help make me marketable.

What questions should I ask myself? Are there any possible questions I can email the managers to make a more informative decision at this point?

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Specializes in Family practice, emergency.

I think it depends on your future plans. If you want to work with kids and mental health, isn't the FT job better? That being said, if you want to be in the hospital in the future, start there, it's getting harder and harder to break in.

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Specializes in Postpartum, Maternal/child.

Not an RN yet but I would say go for the ft job if you're interested in mental health. If the $ is your concern as this seems to be the only negative (this job is way closer and ft), ask for a bit more $. The worst they could say is no. Go for it! :) good luck!

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Specializes in Long term care.

I would choose the closer job.. hands down because over an hour drive is just way too long to be getting back and forth to work. You have to take into account the cost of gas and your safety driving for so long after you get off your work shifts. You didn't mention if they are 8 or 12 hour shifts, so just add 2 1/2 hrs to that not including if there is traffic or if you get held up at work and end up staying longer. Even if the closer job is not your "passion" you can start there and just continue looking for other opportunities. Good luck with your decision

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