recent New Grad-- which job to take???

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Hello!!

I had to quit my job after 6 months because we moved :(( It was on a Mother/Baby Unit and I LOVED it!! My last day was last week and since then I have had 2 different job offers..

Job offer #1) Newborn nursery, nights and "60" miles away.

Job offer #2) LTAC in Med/surge "20" miles away, day shift.

When interviewing this past week most employers frowned at my mother/baby experience and stated I am not qualified for most positions. I understand this, but I LOVE PP/Nursery and I could see myself there for life.. but I am not sure what is the best thing to do.. should I get med/surge under my belt and then go back to the nursery/pp ? Or take the job in Nursery that I will know I will love? Problem is that I know what med/surge is like in a short stay hospital, but I am not sure what it is like in a Long term ACUTE hospital.. ratio there is 6:1 and we have an ICU that will take all the patients with a vent. I also hate med/surge with a passion.. i had to float there often at the hospital I worked at... I HATED IT!!!!!!!!

I know what I want to do, but I am curious as to what others think about this. I have a way of convincing myself about things and I want to make the right decision!! I keep flip flopping..:uhoh3::uhoh3::uhoh3::uhoh3:

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If you know what you love, then go for it!

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I vote night shift newborn nursery. I think you will get used to the 60 mile commute, there won't be any traffic issues. You might start looking up suggestions on how to BE SURE YOU STAY AWAKE on your drive home!

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Specializes in ICU hopeful!.

I'm not a nurse (yet! applying to ASU for the Fall 2010, wish me luck!) but I would like to second the mention about getting used to the 60 mile commute. I work 70 miles from where I live (although, I'm going to be quitting my job and moving closer to school once I start) and I will say, after a couple weeks, you get used to it and think nothing of it. Just wanted to say, don't let a commute stop you!

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Specializes in OR, CV ICU, IMCU.

I think you should go speak with the manager from the baby unit at the hospital that is 20 miles away and let them know that you are interested in working on their unit even if there isn't an opening yet and that you will be taking a position at the LTAC until a position opens up. You might have to work at the LTAC for a few months but you would eventualy get the position you want. A 60 mile drive is too long, it would be about 2-3hrs of your life wasted. Stick it out for a while until you get what you want. You'll be happier in the long run.:lol2:

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Specializes in med/surg, tele, oncology, PACU, research.

I think a 60 mile commute each way would get old real fast. Especially having to do the drive in the a.m. after working a 12 hr. night.

I like what gerlich8 said.

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Im a guy, so no nursery stuff for me,lol I work nights on a tele unit and were busy busy busy!! I only live 16 miles away, BUT the traffic in DC sucks! So that 16 miles can take up to 1.5 hrs!! Some days I'm sooooo tired, have to pull over some where and sleep!! 60 miles is a long way to travel, with no traffic ur looking at an hr. My wife works (non-medical)approx 40 miles each way and she is SICK of it! Luckily she can sort of work her own hrs, soo she is up at 0445 and on the rd by 0520 t miss the DC traffic!! What I'm trying to say,the commute gets old very quick! Mind you, my wife has been doing that for close to 4 yrs.

Furthermore, I have known a few night nurses who have lived close by--no traffic--and still get in accidents, as they are soooo tired!!

BUT, saying all that, if you LOVE mother/baby, well its probably a LOT easier to goto work, then got a job that you may HATE!!! Ur their for 12 hrs, do u want to enjoy that time or hate it? lol 1 could always have a nap in the car, and who knows,maybe a day position will open up

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I'll go for job offer # 2.

Driving 60 miles (thrice weekly for a 36 hour shift; and five times weekly for a 40 hour shift) will drain you out and tire you fast. I would need to really love job offer # 1 to take it.

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I agree with rn4ever. Commuting can be very draining. I would take the Med/Surg job since it's closer and who knows a OB position may open. We all know jobs are offered to internal employees before they are offered to external employees.

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Specializes in Psych, Chem Dependency, Occ. Health.

Is there any way you can keep looking for a bit? If you love mother/baby and hate med/surg than you will not like LTAC. If it were me, I'd take the commute and the area of nursing you enjoy. It won't matter if your commute is 15 seconds if you loathe the 8-12 hours you are at your job. If you get more experience in mother/baby, nursery etc, you'll be in a better position to move to a position closer when one opens. I'd go with the commute, get more experience in the area you like and keep your eye open for a position closer to home in that area. Good luck!

Sue, RN

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

I drive 45 mins one way five nights a week for an LDRP job. I could drive a lot less and make almost $10/hr for Med/Surg...but money, gas, and tires are not everything.

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Specializes in ICU, ER.

I spent several years working 12 hour nights (7-7) with a 50 mile (one-way) commute. It's a good way to get hurt and to hurt others. Sooner or later you will nod off. I really think you should avoid the night position.

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