Stuck Between Two Job Offers: Maximum and Minimum Prisons

[Nurse_Red00, MSN, RN]

Hey everyone! PLEASE HELP!

So I am a new grad and I feel like I'm in between a rock and a hard spot. So first I got a chance to interview at a Maximum security prison that has a infirmary, dental, clinic, mental health ward/clinic, and a great hospice program. I would do my own EKGs, blood draws and occasionally med passes. I would start IVs and do drugs, so basically a little medsurg floor. They are the only one in the state that has an infirmary. And at first I really liked it because it was the first one I interviewed at.

Then I got a second interview the day after at the Minimum security prison. I went there at the place was good too. They are the only place that houses women of all security types. It is where most intakes happen. They have a clinic, dental, and a small hospice woman's program. But there is no infirmary. It is smaller but they are expanding within 5 years to be the biggest prison in the state and the infirmary will be moved there. But for now it is small.

So Minimum offers less money an hour, it is a 10am to 10pm shift, closer to fiance, and has their "stuff" together and only a 2000 sign on bonus. I would only get experience with clinic stuff. COs are really nice.

So Maximum offers more money an hour, it is night shift - so the clinic is closed, farther away (I would be moving closer), 10,000 sign on bonus but have to be there 3 years or 5,000 for 2 years (it is in the middle of nowhere so it's hard to keep people there), would learn more in the infirmary right of the bat and they are in drastic need of nurses. They people seem nice there but the COs are a little on the (large male organ head side).

I don't know what to do. I told the minimum prison that I would love to be with them and then visited the Maximum again and they really want me. I got the offer letter from Minimum quicker and they were in touch more but I HAVE NOT signed anything yet. They maximum says that I should be getting the offer letter within a day. I don't know what to do. I'm conflicted as to go with the slower progressing place or the more learning environment place.

**Both are with the same healthcare company.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Which one felt more comfortable? Which one can you see yourself driving up to cheerfully rather than dragging yourself in to work. Which one SEEMS "right" to you?

If you honestly cannot choose, put two pennies in a jar -- one for each job -- and pick one. How do you feel about that answer? Does it make you feel relieved, happy even? Or do you get a sick feeling in the pit of your stomach? That exercise will help you see more clearly which job you WANT more.

More money is nice, but not at the expense of being miserable.