Torn between job offers

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Specializes in Float.

I graduate in 17 days and am STILL torn about jobs..I thought I had made up my mind but now new info to consider!

Keep in mind both hospitals have roughly 600 beds and my husband has insurance.

Job A) did clinicals here. Know about charting but not a lot else. Offer for the CCU. 2 classmates going there too, other than that do not know anyone. A Benefits eligible position, 19.20 base, 1.00 bedside, 3.50 nights, 2.00 weekends. 40 miles each way. Will pay $160/month to student loans (I have about 8000) Offers 2500 sign on BUT only $12/hr until you pass boards (no pressure to hurry there lol) Will match 401k after 2 years.

Job B) interned here for a year. Telemetry Cardiac. Preceptor works PRN full time and offered to work around my husband's schedule. Know everyone, full support staff (3 CNAs for 40 beds) They have a non benefits option so I could make premium pay of 28.50/hr, 1.00 bedside, 3.75 nights & weekends. Will still match 401k which they are already doing now. Will pay $250 month towards my loans. No sign on but you get regular pay off the bat. Will also pay for Hurst review, pay for your time to take Hurst Review and NCLEX, $250 uniform allowance. Downside, double the distance at 80 miles each way. But would net $1400 more a month. Also know how to admit, discharge, where various depts are located, etc.

Ugh this is HARD. Part of me wants close of course. Part of me likes the idea of all the knowledge I would learn in the CCU (I'm a control freak too!) But then part of me likes the familiarity of where I work now plus I like their charting and procedures better. Plus we are remodeling and will have a brand new floor in about 3 months.

It's so hard because right now I'm soooo broke. I can't even really figure out what an extra $1400month would feel like. Is it worth it? that sure seems like it would buy a lot (or get us out of debt quicker!) I'm dreaming of Disney World lol. Or even a new haircut (lol..gotta love being a student! hehe)

I keep thinking about that drive and how much I hate it..but it's only 3 days a week and I won't be trying to juggle school too (right now I work nights 1-2 nights a week and it's killer but then again I have to rise early for school 3 days a week which messes me all up..for instance I have to leave for clinical in 2 hrs and here I am awake and on all nurses! My body just can't switch back and forth...I hope when I'm straight nights I can tolerate it all better)

Decisions Decisions! Either way I disappoint someone.. can't take two full time jobs lol.

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For 1400 each month you could rent a hotel near hospital that would cut way down on drive. I dont mind driving 60 miles each way. Your first year will be hard enough why not stay in familiar territory? Good luck.

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Specializes in ED.

40 miles compared to 80 miles for an environment that you are familiar with, more money, a remodeled floor and 1400 more a month ? where is the dilema ? are they highway miles or back roads? how much longer will it take you to get there? 1400 a month for a year is almost 17,000. after taxes around 11-12. figure out the gas milage for the car, the amount of wear and tear and see if it is still feasible. from a quick look you are still going to be ahead. good luck :-)

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Specializes in Float.

it is $1400 a month AFTER taxes.

It is pretty much a 4 ln highway most of the distance. Only one short area near my house that is backroad to get to the highway. I actually LIVE right off a highway and CAN go highway if warranted (ie bad roads) but I go the backway to cut off about 15 miles.

If I go straight without stopping it's about an hour 25 min to the farther hospital, the closer hospital is about 45 minutes. So about 40 minutes farther. The gas would be about $100 more a month with current prices.

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Specializes in ER, Medicine.

You're married...that's a decision you should consider mostly with the input of your husband and your gut feeling. Good luck in whatever you choose.

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Specializes in ED.

Now you have to figure out how much time that you are going to be spending away from your family a week. if you need daycare for that amount of time what that will cost you. I think you said that you have 4 yr old twins so you have to think of next year that they are going to school next year so where are they going to go ? Start planning now just in case. If it were up to me I would take the job with the $1400 extra a month. a thousand in savings for the twins for college and the extra for the extra you are going to need to drive back and forth. best wishes

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The extra driving time would be about picking up an extra shift every 2 weeks. Is that worth the money? Just think though your work days would be all work and driving. Is that o.k. with you?

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Fact is, BOTH jobs have a big commute. If you have 2 4yo kids, BOTH jobs will basically mean you are separated from them for 3 days straight each week. BOTH jobs will take exquisite organization on your part to plan ahead for those 3 days (I also have kids and I want to make sure I prepare stuff for their lunches, precook or at least plan meals a bit, pack their clothes cubbies with their uniforms and stuff on my days off so they will still feel my love and involvement while I'm at work). BOTH jobs will necessitate that you have backup childcare and maybe that your husband be the emergency parent for when the kids need to be sent home from school and stuff.

So, basically, I'd go for the money and the comfort of an environment you know. Money is actually terribly important, and there's no shame in letting it be a priority when making decisions between 2 good choices.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Float.

Thanks school days... I do have two kids but they aren't twins and they are a little older (still need childcare tho)

I am awaiting my offer letter but feel 90% sure I'm going with the better pay. I recalculated the drive and it's really only a total of 3-4 more hours a week of drive time. Basically one shift a month.

Another plus is my manager is really willing to be flexible with me on hours and I like the way the internship is set up..I think I will end up needing a LOT less childcare with this job. With working around hubby's schedule will probably only need a babysitter like 2 partial days a month. Hubby can be home with them the rest of the time.

I sure will be glad when they are old enough not to need a babysitter! lol

anyway - when I get to the point I can work OT ... wow... the potential is about $600/shift... that would be great to have that option to cover an unexpected purchase or to save for a vacation or something like that.

I'm REALLY tired of being so broke and I just want to aggressively pay off my bills and save up some cash.

Thanks so much for the advice everyone! My floor is so happy I am staying. It feels good to have that support going into being a new nurse! I have already learned so much from all the very smart, knowledgable nurses there and not only will I have an awesome preceptor I will have wonderful nurses all around me (usually about 6 on the floor every shift!)

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