Need help deciding between 2 job offers

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Dear Nurse Beth,

I have a bit of a situation. I am a new grad RN and I live on Cape Cod. Recently I received two job offers; one is a local Doctor's office, and the other is a major hospital in Boston (roughly 1.5-2 hr commute). The position in Boston interests me more and the pay is better, but it would be strenuous to make the drive daily (as I did for 4 years while in nursing school). Moving to the city is not an option for me as my fiance has a steady career here on Cape. HELP!

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Dear Cape Cod RN,

Your choice will ultimately depend on what's most important to you- your values. Your values are the beliefs you hold as important enough to guide the way you live and work.

You already know that you value supporting your fiance and living on Cape Cod over relocating. That's a start.

Which career decisions will bring you joy and which career decisions will leave you with regret? These career decisions are driven by your core values. When making big decisions, involve those people in your life who know you and love you. They know you and have your best at heart. Take their counsel under consideration.

Do you value:

• Time at home over time spent commuting for work?
  
• Higher pay over a job close to home?
  
• Acute care experience over a short commute?
  
• Relationship over career?
  

When your behavior matches your values, life is good. You're content and satisfied with your career choices and relationships.

I hope this helps you make the best choice for you.

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

[michelleedmonds]

If u really want to take the med surg position, if it's three 12 hr days, u can see about working them in a row and just spend 2 nights there, we r out in the middle of nowhere, closest big city is 100 miles away, some nurses who make the drive rent an apartment that they all share for their overnights, makes it quite cheap! Or some hospitals have sleep rooms for over nighters...

[JayHanig]

I lived at Otis AFB when I was a kid and have family to this day in Beverly. That being said, I can't think of anything I would enjoy less than spending 3-4 hours a day in a commute. My last job required 25 minutes and that was longer than I liked. Think of the wear and tear on your vehicle. Think of the wear and tear on your hide after working a long shift. Think of commuting in winter.

I have worked three 12s in a row and believe me, you aren't as friendly on the third day as you might have been on the first. Hospital work is strenuous both physically and mentally, particularly in the present atmosphere of zero errors. If you want to do it, consider the crash pad Michelle mentioned in Boston.

Whichever way you end up going, consider that switching later from one career track to the other isn't always easy to arrange. It may be easier to go to an office after working in a hospital than the other way around.

Good luck, whichever way you decide to go.

[strawberryluv, BSN, RN]

It really depends on you but for me, I would not be able to tolerate a long commute. When I was a certified nursing assistant, I had to drive for 45 mins to my job at a long term care facility and that was really tiring and taxing on my car. My new commute for my first nursing job is 25 minutes so it's a little better but I still hate the commute.

[Desert Lady]

If the pay in Boston will allow rent a motel room for 2 or 3 nights. Find a train to get you to work or ride share. Think about all of the education you just finished and what you will lose if you go to work in a doctors office. One year will give you the experience you will need to know if you will stay or if you want a slower paced job. Relations are important but this time next year you may be single. Who knows. Your mate should be consulted if he or she is true they will back you up on either decision.

[Wrench Party]

Boston.

Get a cheap place to rent with other nurses, or even try paying to rent an extra room from another nurse. Try to stack your shifts so you can get in and out of the city easily, and spend the other 4 days at home with the fiancee.

After a year or so, you'll have the experience to go to doctor's office or community hospital and not have as large a commute.

[apaula]

Thank you everyone for the advice! After much consideration I have decided to take the position in Boston. I start on Monday and I have been testing out different methods of commuting. I am beyond excited about this new chapter!