NH or Jail?

[Medsport, LPN]

I've been working at a jail for about 6 months 4 days a week and a nursing home every other weekend. I liked the jail better at first as you are always busy and no day is the same. There is a lot of stress though. Recently I began to wonder if it is worth it. Some days go smooth, while other days I don't know how I can possibly do everything and also worry about getting in trouble. You see, I never got into trouble before, but I got written up a final written warning for leaving the keys in the narc cabinet once when it was extremely busy. I admitted I made a mistake and it wouldn't happen again. I don't think its fair because it was my first big mistake and other nurses have made several mistakes and get written warnings, but never a final one. I've also noticed others leaving the keys around, but I'm not one to tell on someone. What makes it worse is I know the 2 nurses who where there that reported me and both of them swear that they did'nt do it, but they say you can't trust anyone. When I was in the office, they did say I was doing a good job otherwise and deserve to get promoted to a full-time job in a few months if they can get it approved.

Now for the dilemma: The nursing home just called out of the blue and said there is an opening for a 4 day a week job there, mostly on 3rd shift. The pay would be about $1 more an hour than I'm making now, but its about 20 miles further to drive both ways. I don't really like working there, but stress level is less and I got a good review except for being late occasionally. Plus I heard that the 3rd shift was the easiest shift there. I really did'nt want to work third, but they said it could open up to a 2nd shift position. The other thing is I have a couple PTO days coming up next month at the jail (the first they have approved) and have almost 2 weeks coming, but I found out its difficult to get them as they don't have people to cover you. And most of the nurses never get to use all theirs. With either job, I'll still have to work at the factory at least 1 day a week until I can get in FT. Btw, I am thinking of selling my house because it need too much work and maybe I could move closer. I'm also thinking of going back to school to try to get the RN, but don't think I could handle it working 2nd shift like I am now...I know long post, but any advice?

[iwanna]

Sorry, I am not in position to give advice, but I do have a few questions. Did you say that you were busier at the jail? I would think that the NH would be quite busy. I applied for a position at a county jail back in Feb., but did not get it. I really wanted that job. Then I applied for a job at a prison a few months ago. I was just called for an interview. Now, I am not sure if I really want to work in a prison. The county jail didn't seem as intimidating as the prison sounds. However, my life is up in the air, right now. I was planning on going back to school for a refresher course, as I have not worked for four years. And, I may be re-locating, so I put job search on hold. Yeah, now I get calls for interviews, once I decide to move. But, I am re-thinking that as well. I am concerned about leaving my elderly mother alone.

Which type of nursing do you prefer? I am really surprised to hear the jail was more stressful than the NH. I worked at a NH briefly, and I was overwhelmed with stress and exhaustion. I give nurses that work in LTC a lot of credit, as it is a tough job.

I think it is terrible that they may not have nurses to cover you for PTO at the jail. As, I am writing I am thinking that they must be way understaffed, then. It seems like your decision is based on the lesser of two evils. Too bad, it is not a decision because both jobs are one's that you like so much and can't choose!

Perhaps, somebody here can help you with your choices. I wish you the best and can offer my prayers for you.

[Medsport, LPN]

thanks for your input iwanna. I'm not saying the NH isn't busy. It is but not as stressful as the jail. I mean the majority of the job is passing meds at the NH, with a few treatments and you are pretty much your own boss and the aides there are pretty good so you hardly ever have to tell them what to do. At the jail on the other hand, passing meds is a smaller part of it, but that is hard because there are so many inmates and the officers try to push you to get done fast and therefore you make mistakes. The bad part is when you go in you have to catch up on what first shift left you. Then you have intakes that could come any time, doctors orders, fax orders, psych orders. Charting on strict codes, answering questions of inmates, looking up charts. Then you have to respond to medical emergencies when they come up and they always do. Then you have to figure out if the inmate is playing you or is really sick. You also have to contend with the officers and supervisors. I've learned a lot there in a short time, but still have trouble figuring out what to do in an emergency because there are all different. Some days are'nt bad and I occasionally get an inmate that thanks me just for listening or something, but most days you just do what you have to do and try your hardest to get out of there on time. My ulcer. colitis has been acting up lately too(first time in 10 years) and I don't know if its the job or just my busy life in general. The one good thing there is you can make decent money (after several years), but to make real good money you have to have your RN. I did hear they will pay for you to go to school to get it, but like I said, I really don't know if I can do it working all these jobs. If I got hired in FT and quit the others, maybe. Take maybe 1 class at a time, but then I would have to put my loans on forbearance and interest continues to accrue (which is a lot). Now if I could somehow take 2 classes and still work, I could possibly get a deferment.