Deciding Which Job To Take- Advice? please! : )

[ivyleaf]

Hello!

For some background, I obtained my RN 2 years ago and immediately went back for my BA, which ended up being in psych. I have just graduated and am looking for FT work in psych. I have been working PT and PD in psych the past 2 years, and worked as a residential counselor for ~ 15 mos while in nursing school.

I have been looking for jobs the past few months and am a bit burnt out on the process (originally I was looking for a clinical psychology research assistant position, which are very competitive). Currently I have one job offer (job A) which I probably will have to make a decision on by next Fri at the latest (orientation would start June 1), an interview that went really well (Job B) which I will hear back from by next Wed, and an interview scheduled for next Wed (job C).

What I am looking for: Ideally, I would love a day position, 8-4 or 9-5 (although I know this is rare). My SO will likely work days (he just graduated with his MSW and is also looking for jobs), and I want to spend time with him. I would also rather not work w/e's (obviously). I am interested in community outreach positions, but would also like to get more experience in the hospital.

Job A: 32 hours in a psych hospital. 24 hours are evenings as a charge nurse on a 6-bed unit (generally, less acute than the main units) working with one MHC. E/o week I would work one weekend shift. 8 hours would be as admission nurse for the whole psych hospital (total of about 60 beds) on 1 weekday.

Pros: get more hospital experience, wouldn't have to get up early, hospital seems like a great place to work (everyone seems really friendly and happy there), pay and benefits are great, would get a solid orientation on the main unit (my orientations have been a bit shoddy)

Cons: 3 evening shifts (wont see SO for dinner/etc), would have to do e/o weekend, I would be working as the only nurse on the 6 bed unit-- I am not worried so much about safety issues (I have a v. similar PD position now, and the unit is adjacent to the main unit)--but feeling lonely/isolated--One of the things I love about psych nursing is the camraderie felt between co-workers

Job B: 40 hours as health and wellness nurse for a MH agency. I would be involve in creating health/wellness education programs for clients and staff, doing MAP (med administration) trainings for counselors, medically advise on a small caseload of about 6 medically compromise clients (in residential settings), provide medical/nutrition/case consultation, and supervise several other health/wellness educators. Shifts are 10-6 days, and the position is one of many in a team.

Pros: days, and i dont even have to get up early! this is an ideal shift for my sleep cycle; I would get to use my creativity and contribute to the health/wellness of many clients; I like the idea of being able to advise and be respected for my specialized knowledge in the field; I like providing education; I would be an integral member of a team (I like working in teams); the location is very near where I live. Not sure of the pay/benes at this point.

Cons: I would probably be supervising ppl with more experience than I, I dont have much supervisory experience, I only have 3 years of experience in MH, and more importantly 2 years of nursing experience--which hasn't even been FT--so I might feel a bit over my head, esp with medical advising

Job C: 40 hrs in a crisis stabilization setting. I would be "charge nurse" and work with CNA's and the prog director/CNS to run groups, oversee/advise on meds, be a triage liason, etc-- kind of a care coordination position, but with direct contact with pts (10 or 11 beds). Position would be 40 hrs days (probably 8-4 or 9-5)

Pros: the hours are great, I have worked in a crisis stabilization setting before and like it, I would get to advise & have direct contact. Don't know about pay/benes yet.

Cons: again, I might feel a bit lacking in experience; Also: I'm not sure if they could make a decision on the position before I would have to let Job A know. Job A might allow me to start on July 1st (since they don't have a backup person in mind for the position, they would have to wait anyways, since orientation starts the first of the month), but I feel a bit guilty

Summary: So, it depends on whether I get offered Job B, and how the interview goes with C. I am sick of interviewing and job seeking (I am also finishing up an independent project from school which is very involved), but this is my first "real" full-time job, and I want to make sure I am as happy as possible. I could just wait until something else pops up...this is option D.

I know this is long but I would very much appreciate your advice! I figured I would post ahead of time to get as many responses as possible.

Thanks for reading:redbeathe:heartbeat

-Ivy