Please I need some advice..

[lily_17]

Hi Everyone,

I am a newly grad LPN, got hired 3 months ago in a psychiatric hospital. I did enjoyed working there in every unit we have 20 patient with three nurses. 1 charge nurse, 1 med nurse, 1 admission. As you can tell it wasn't busy place at all and I truly enjoyed the nurses I work with. But the only problem I had was it was an hour away from were I live and didn't pay as good as the other places. So, a month ago I got a job offer close to where I live, about 5 minutes away and it pays 6 dollars more an hour. Its a nursing home, got 30 resident, not only I am the med nurse but also the charge nurse and admission nurse, and responsible to do all the tx for all 30 patient. I am so stressed out and very unhappy on what I do.

My dilemma is, Is it worth the 6 dollars more an hour with more stress or less money with less stress(yes its an hour drive but I didn't mind at all). I am so torn, I spoke to ADON at the psychiatric hospital she said she still have the position for me if I want to go back.

Please some advice.

Thank you all in advance.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

This is a question that only you can answer. The answer to your question totally depends on where your priorities lie.

One way to look at it: are you willing to report to a workplace that you really enjoy in exchange for low pay and a lengthy commute?

Another way to look at it: are you willing to work a more difficult job in exchange for a shorter commute and an extra $12,000 yearly?

[chevyv, BSN, RN]

Being happy is important to my well-being. If you can afford the cut in pay, I'd happily take it and be....well....happy

[Jules A, MSN]

I'm usually a fan of money more than comfort but that is just my personal style. The extra commute time does need to be figured into your final numbers. Is there any way the psych hospital would match or come closer to the nursing home wage if you give them documentation such as pay stub? I have gotten an increase in wages that way and also used proof of my wages for negotiating a new position very successfully. Hold your cards close and don't tell the psych hospital how awful the nursing home is just that you found your niche in psych and would love to come back if they could make you a better offer.

Good luck!

[bsyrn, ASN, RN]

Go back and be happy :)

[Barnstormin' PMHNP]

If you can afford it, take it. There's nothing better than working with a good crew, and nothing worse than being on your own, responsible for everything and drowning. BTDT

[ICURN3020]

Sanity is priceless :)

[steffuturelpn]

I agree this is a decision u have to make on ur own. I am also a charge nurse at a nursing home with 30 residents . I have almost 3 years experience but I am comfortable with those residents and I have my routine down. Since this is long term care not many admissions. The problem is that u r still new and still learning so it scares u a lil. I would go back to my old job and take a pool position at the nursing home so u can get acclimated to that environment. But only u will know . My teacher told me at the end of the day u owe them nothing but they owe u a paycheck. Do what is best for u

[sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN]

my 7mile commute to clinic with doctor office hours (4 - 8hr and every other sat 6 hr) is wothe the almost 50%salary cut, the med benefits priceless,no on call etcllllll worth far more that 12hr acute care, and or demands of Don inltc care....my retirement jon love it :)

[TriciaJ, RN]

Only you know what's more important to you. Personally, I think being chronically stressed out is unsustainable and you can't buy your health back. But I do think a previous poster gave you excellent advice: go back to your psych job and pick up LTC shifts if you can. There's a reason some jobs pay better than others.

[2pugs]

Go back. Those jobs are hard to come by, especially as an LPN. So many places are exactly like the nursing home you describe, and over time you will only become more resentful of the situation and miss your old job.