What job to take

[Unique rn]

I’m trying to debating on what job to take or stay. One is a group home of developmental disability. Total patient is 24 with only two nurses . If we lucky we have three nurses then ratio is 1:8 but three nurses doesn’t happen often as this place is always short staffed. It is always busy because of the constant every two hours feeding, meds, etc. and even busier if something goes wrong. And I have been working this for a short while and want to put in my notice. So Most days I go into work having anxiety as if there is only one other nurses including myself then what if something goes wrong or I don’t know how to do a new procedure then the other nurse couldn’t help me because of how the building is separated. So one nurse has to always stay in the building with the highly acuity level and if I’m alone on the other building and don’t know how to do a new procedure or what to do if patient goes downhill. As the other nurse couldn’t go to me because the building is separated and it is mandatory to have one nurse always stay on that side. The nurses are helpful but if something happen like a patient catheter falls out. The other nurse can explain to me but can’t show me as she has to stay in the building with the patients of highly acuity level.

I have a new job offer that is private duty. Private duty pays the same rate as my current job now in group home. It is lower stress but I am tempted at if it is a dangerous area, difficult or dangerous family members, or big scary dogs. I have been doing private duty a while and depend on cases it can be either good or bad. And I was lucky to have good cases in the past with a different agency.

So im a fairly new nurse and am confident in some skills but not a new grad. Should I stick with the group home to get some more experience or call it quit, or should I go into the new job offer of private duty. Private duty will be the same pay. I like a job that is low stress knowing that when the time approach to go work I am eager to rather than having anxiety as working in the group home. I know that being a floor nurse is not for me but should I stick with the group home facility to gain experience or quit? I am confident in my skills doing private duty as I have done it before as most kids are teach and gtube. And with this new private duty job, the parents are at home if something happen they could help me. Which job should I take? Please give me your best answer and be nice.

[RNfindingherway, BSN, RN]

Unique RN, do what set your heart on fire. If you like home care do it. You still making a difference in your patient's and their family lives. Sometimes we think if we are not working in a hospital we are not nurses and not making a difference. I am fairly new nurse also and I understand the anxiety and fear going to work knowing that it will be understaffed and you have to be Charge Nurse and Medications Nurse to 15+ Residents. You are being pull here and there by everyone. No help from administration, Anxiety skyrocketing, you can't wait for the shift to end ect. I have a friend you can't get her to work in a hospital or nursing home setting. She only do home care nursing. She love it. Hope you can get more feedback from more experience nurses on here. I hope this helps.

[TAKOO01, BSN]

On 2/10/2019 at 11:53 PM, Unique rn said:

Private duty will be the same pay. I like a job that is low stress knowing that when the time approach to go work I am eager

You have answered your own question. It is hard plan a sensible move when you are in an uncomfortable position. It makes you desperate. Take the PD job, and while you are comfortable there, plan your next move so that you dont end up in the position (again) where you have to take whatever is offered just to get away from a current job.

At least you have learned that the DD setting is not for you, at least with that level of staffing.

I did DD per diem and I liked it. 24 residents. I was the only RN, but there was an lpn and she was so good. We werent separated so we could help each other. There were also about 2 or 3 aides per shift.