Which would you take?

[RunBabyRN]

This may be premature, but I have two potential jobs that might come up at the same time.

I interviewed for a new grad position (sounds like it's similar to Versant) a couple of months ago, but they had a last minute internal candidate, so I got bumped. They're doing this again in a few months, and the manager called me and said that if someone doesn't work out in the meantime, they're calling me, and that if I haven't heard from him, to contact him in January. This is my dream organization (big chain here in CA), with VERY good pay, but it's about 2 hours from home (with highly variable traffic). I'd likely have to commute (my family won't be moving there). It's an emergency position, my #2 choice of units (first choice would be L&D/PP). There is a hospital in the next town over, about 15-20 minutes from my home, and I could transfer with time (not sure when). I don't know if there's a contract with this position. The managers were wonderful, and the staff all seemed really nice. I would be getting my TNCC and likely other certs through this program. This hospital is one exit away from my brother's house, where I could stay (with their infant :) ) as needed, though we could easily afford for me to stay in a hotel if needed with the salary there. I'd try to commute as much as I could, as the shifts are 8 hours.

Yesterday I had an informational interview with a manager for a LDRP unit about an hour from home (in a direction with zero traffic, so that won't vary). It's a small rural hospital (part of another chain), and the pay wouldn't be great (1/3 to 1/2 of the above hospital). There isn't a hospital closer to home within that chain. It would be a 2 year contract, but I'd want to stay on at least a couple of years longer to establish myself, and I wouldn't want to burn those bridges by jumping ship the first chance I get. The manager was awesome and sounded really interested in me. The nurses I met were also very nice. They're doing a Versant program starting in January. Apps later this month, interviews in December. I'm job shadowing on Thursday. The shifts are 12 hours, and we'd probably rent a small place up there, as we do go up there for things we like to do as a family anyway.

My goal is to be a CNM. Both places have midwives in their L&D units, though the first actually has staff CNMs. Both offer tuition reimbursement. I have contacts with both hospital chains, though not at the locations where I'd be working. I also have student loans to pay, and am the primary breadwinner at home with a family.

Both look very promising, but I am torn over which to accept if they both DO get offered. Any input is appreciated!

[Nienna Celebrindal]

2 hours one way? I can't image a 4 hour commute that's possibly longer. I honestly don't think that's safe. I'm just remembering how exhausted I was after a 12 in the ER. Also any extra money you make there would probably be lost to gas, an increased wear and tear on your car. Okay maybe not all but probably a sizeable amount.

[KelKelRN]

Though I am not in your shoes, I would opt for the one that is closer to home in the L&D unit. Commuting even an hour after a 12+ (I say 12+ because sometimes you are so busy providing patient care that you don't have time to chart until after the next shift comes in). Plus, if you don't plan on going in a direction that would look on ER experience as a necessity, it really isn't worth your time and effort. I only live 4.5 miles away from the hospital I work at, and often times I'm driving home after a 14+ hour shift (due to a wide variety of mandatory staff/educational meetings). Though I know how being a new grad goes, and it is so hard to find a job... So I know that should you only be offered the position that is two hours away you will most likely have to take it. I just can't imagine all of the juggling you will have to do to make this work. Good luck!!

[scaredsilly, BSN, RN]

RunBaby, you always wanted L&D, and it's loads closer to home. I would take that one WHEN they both make offers. I get it that more money would be nice, but if you have a 4 hour round trip commute, you won't have time to spend money anyway! :-)

Besides, it is worth a whole heckuva lot to work in the unit you love! I am working for less than I would get in a medsurg unit that I was offered an interview for, but I love L&D. Besides, if you are looking into a lactation certification or a doula cert., you need to be in that unit to get the required hours.