Which job should I take?

[birthworker]

Hello all! I was fortunate enough to have been offered jobs in the unit that I want at 2 hospitals, but I am torn about which I should take. Offer A is at a community hospital 25 minutes by drive. I haven't heard the most positive things about the unit, but it is in a state of transition, and I really enjoyed my interview with the new manager leading the changes. Offer B is at the top hospital in my state for this specialty and overall, but is 40 minutes by drive w/o traffic (> 1 hr with). I don't know management well there. From a learning perspective, as a new nurse, Option B makes sense, but, as a parent of 2 young kids, and someone who dislikes driving, I wonder if I that will be the right decision? What are your thoughts? TIA!

[klone, MSN, RN]

Will you be working nights? If so, that would be a dealbreaker for B, because of the risk of falling asleep at the wheel. Do you work in a state that has snowy winters? Also something to take into consideration with an hour+ one-way commute.

 

[RatherBHiking, BSN, RN]

Since you don’t like driving and have two small children you want to optimize the most time with, I’d pick option A. You had a good feeling about the manager and the changes they are wanting to make. Also, you usually have to be at work a few min early to park, get to the floor, clock in, etc and it’s not uncommon to have to work over sometimes wrapping things up so that also adds to time away from home people forget to consider when figuring up commute time. Congrats on 2 offers!!

[HiddenAngels]

A

[No Stars In My Eyes]

On 7/3/2022 at 2:47 PM, HiddenAngels said:

A

Ditto

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

Agree with all posters, option A is the winner. You liked the interview, that's one plus. The shorter commute makes it the clear winner. Drive time is not paid so when you factor in the added a hours per week driving and treat it like work hours that adds up to quite a bit unpaid work time.  That's not even considering the possibility of a much more difficult commute if traffic and/or weather impacts the drive.

[K. Everly, BSN, RN]

I would take the short drive and the manager with a vision I feel led to. 

I know as a new grad there is this strong desire to go to the top of the acuity and experience food chain and learn as much as we can. But there is so much to learn out there no matter where you go! 

You only get one life, one chance to watch your children grow up, and you want to spend as much of the time you have actually living your LIFE instead of living your career. 

[birthworker]

Thanks for the advice, all. I accepted Job A!