Take the higher paying PRN job or part time low paying job

[pnkgirl25]

I am a LVN student and recently completed my CNA. I have been applying every where and so far am having no luck. Today I got a job offer for a psych treatment center for a PRN job paying $12 an hour and another offer for a part time CNA job in LTC paying $8.25 per hour. The lady from the treatment center said they are always looking for people to work and while they can't guarantee hours there should be no problem with me getting as many hours as I want (they have 12 locations and I would float between all of the locations). Psych is where I want to end up after nursing school.

The $8.25 job is for a LTC place where the turn over is really high and made my skin crawl when I was there for the interview...I HATE LTC. I know I would be miserable here but the hours are guaranteed (for a long as I can muster up the strength to keep going in...)

Should I take a $8.25 job with a guarantee of hours even thought its harder work for crappy pay. Or take the chance on the PRN job and cross my fingers that I can get 24 hours a week. Regardless to what job I take I need to make $800 a month in order to make rent.

[missladyrn]

I'd take the psych job. It seems like an obvious choice to me. It pays more, you want to work in psych and, and there are 12 locations so you will get to see a lot. I would not take the job you know you will hate. Can you do prn at both or take the psych job and keep looking for another prn job too?

[newnurse1986]

I'd take the psych job. It seems like an obvious choice to me. It pays more you want to work in psych and, and there are 12 locations so you will get to see a lot. I would not take the job you know you will hate. Can you do prn at both or take the psych job and keep looking for another prn job too?[/quote']

I agree. If you're miserable you won't work LTC for very long. Sounds like with 12 locations you will get your hours. Pray about it too!! Best Wishes to you

[pnkgirl25]

I'd take the psych job. It seems like an obvious choice to me. It pays more, you want to work in psych and, and there are 12 locations so you will get to see a lot. I would not take the job you know you will hate. Can you do prn at both or take the psych job and keep looking for another prn job too?

I didn't ask if I could PRN the LTC but in all honesty, I wouldn't want to lol. I'll take the PRN at the psych place and keep looking for other PRN jobs.

Now for another question. Do you list PRN jobs on your resume and if so, do you list it as PRN or do you cross that bridge in the interview?

[lagalanurse]

I'd take the psych job. PRN is a good status during nursing school. And it sounds like a win/win since that is where you want to end up.

[RNperdiem, RN]

Take the psych job. Since the pay is higher, you might be able to build up some savings to carry you through the occasional cancellation.