Which schedule would use choose?

[Gratefulprn]

I am new to this site and it's great so far..LOVE all the advice..so I'm going to ask..

2 12 hour days/week where you drive an hour each way and are able to basically choose the days you work and can pick up more time if desired with shifts starting at 6:45 a.m. or the afternoon at 2:45 p.m.

4 10 hour days where you drive 35-40 min and work 2 Saturdays/month with shifts starting at 6 a.m.

OR M-F basically 8:30-5,drive about 30 min, no weekends though some travel up to 80 miles one way and occasional over night stay required.

None of the above require call or holidays.

The first one pays about $30/hr

The second one about $32

The third on $27

The first one is hospital based, the other 2 are clinic based.......

All adult care. I am not concerned about the type of floor or clinic...just don't know what schedule is best..childcare is not a concern.

[lsvalliant]

I'm new here... entertaining the thought of returning to school to do some post-baccalaurate work to enter nursing. Do nurses get to choose their own schedules??? It should go without saying by reading this post, but I'm still uncertain as to how that works.

Lol. NO. This person is an extremely lucky individual. Unless your and L&D nurse or in Critical care u can write your own ticket. Otherwise a new nurse in this economy sometimes has to relocate to find a job.

[Magen1021]

Jessnic - most nurses do not get to choose their own schedules, especially right out of school with no seniority. There is some flexibility but a lot of it depends on the job setting and staffing levels/demand

You're usually hired for a specific shift (whether it be days, afternoons, nights, or rotating).

You will not necessarily have the luxury of telling your manager you only want to work M-W from 0700-1900 or something

[golflinda2214]

the first one, IF you are guaranteed to be finished at theend of 12 hrs. In any setting, there is the chance that you have a crisis or something that keeps you late. Think about safety on that long drive home after a very long shift.

[sistasoul]

If you can afford the 24 hr pay rather than the 40 hr paycheck I would do the first one. It is only 2 days a week and the drama and running your butt off in the hospital is bearable 2 days a week.

[JenTheRN]

I guess I would choose number two. Driving an hour to get home after a 12 hour shift can be awful! Even if it is only two days a week.

[JenTheRN]

Actually upon further thought I would choose three. I hate getting up at the crack of dawn and then driving a while to get to work. :)

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

I don't like like 12 hour days, but loved 10's because I could work 40hours, and still have a day to play.

Also, 2 x12 only guarantees 24hours. Even though you can pick up extra shifts, is that guaranteed or will you get cancelled. If they don't cancel extra shifts that would mean they probably run short staffed if no one signs up.

Even though all are adult care, which one feels best? Staffing, culture, support, ambiance, co-workers, etc?

[brandy1017, ASN, RN]

I'd probably choose #2 because at least you have 3 days off a week and the commute isn't too bad. The commute for #1 would be too much for me especially in winter or bad weather, definitely wouldn't get sleep if you were doing 12hr which you know you never get out on time as it is! #3 is too much of a pay cut!

[brandy1017, ASN, RN]

I do 3 12's now but am closer to work. Wouldn't mind 3 8hr shifts and pick up to 12 from time to time. lol. Probably couldn't afford it and wouldn't be motivated to pick up extra, also insurance is twice as much, but I guess one can dream!

[newgrad.2011]

I would definitely choose the second job because you get 40 hrs- that's a full time and you still get three days off. Also it's not too far. I used to drive to work one hr each way and it really sucked when there was bad weather or accident.

[Sl1011]

2nd job definitely!!! I'd hate to go back to the hospital!

[ashleyisawesome, BSN, RN]

2nd job! youll be saving money with the commute, in turn making more money. and i like 10 hour shifts!