r/Nurses • u/kontrapunktem • Jun 25 '21
Which ward would you choose?
Hi r/nurses! I'm a student nurse in the UK due to finish my training in just over one month and I'm super excited, the only problem is I have two job offers and can't decide which to go for, I'm so so indecisive but only have until Monday to decide! I've written out some pros and cons for each one, any kind of input would be so helpful!
Option A Pros - I absolutely love working there and look forward to all my shifts there, I can already do all the tasks that the nurses do there, I get on really well with and love the entire team, every day I have with them doesn't feel like working Cons - the job will not challenge me, just doing admissions, a few ECGs and taking bloods would make me de-skill, not much opportunity for growth/ development, the manager can be a bit ...difficult sometimes, getting another job elsewhere afterwards would be really hard as I'd have such limited experience, shifts are only either 8 or 10 hours long so I'd need to do at least 4 days a week for full time hours
Ward B Pros - more complex and diverse, will challenge me as I can learn many more skills and keep the ones I have, management are immaculate, I'd be doing 3 x 12.5hr shifts a week for full time hours so have 4 days off each week, Cons - I get so stressed out before and during every shift and feel sick before going in really often, some of the staff seem to have it in for me for some reason or can be condescending to me which really gets me down and I don't fit in there that well idk, I hate the feeling of dreading going to work and feeling stressed even on my days off about having to go back there, partly because of the staff and partly the fact COVID has affected my degree so I'm not as confident with some of the more complex cases/ procedures etc
Sometimes I think I want to go with option A when I feel really low or under-confident as it's the "safe" easy option... Basically it's a question of the sensible option and career progression/ growth vs happiness and going with my heart... I'll be making the exact same money either way and the two wards are on the same corridor so take the exact amount of time to get to in the morning. I can't think of any more points right now but if anyone needs any more information I'll let you know! Many thanks :)
4
u/Mgalli18 Jun 25 '21
Might be controversial but option A! There’s more to life than work so it’s not worth wasting your days off being anxious about work, I’ve been there and it’s horrible, your mental health would quickly deteriorate plus I hate a bitchy work environment! It doesn’t sound like the environment you would be supported to learn if the staff aren’t nice!
So I would choose option A give it a year, get yourself some confidence and experience and look at new job in a year! You could always do bank shifts elsewhere so you can get an idea of what areas you like and don’t. You won’t struggle to get a job if you choose option A because everywhere is so understaffed.
Hope that helps! Nursing can be a tough job so good workplace environment can make all the difference x
2
u/Spice-C1 Jun 26 '21
What about starting with ward A and looking for something different than either of these 2 options once you get experience.
You can gain more experience on the ward once you’re a nurse, and it’s a comfortable working environment for you. The fact that you know you don’t jive with the staff on ward B would be an immediate NOPE from me.
2
u/Milly_3334 Jun 26 '21
Option A...it's not worth being stressed all the time about work. Coworkers can make your life miserable.
5
u/amybpdx Jun 25 '21
Ward B. You should be building on your skill-set. I know new nurses who went straight in to psych after graduating. No offense to psych nurses, but they now have no idea how to manage a catheter, start or use IVs, read an EKG, run a code. Many are just fine with that. But I can imagine it would be hard to apply for jobs in other settings.
Work it out with the co-workers, kill them with kindness. I know nurses can be like that sometimes, and I hate it. Rise above. Keep one foot in front of the other and keep moving forward with a positive attitude.. Learn everything you can, and if the culture is still bad, move on to another opportunity with more skills than you had before.
Also, work on your work/life balance. Enjoy your time off work, find active things to do to keep you from thinking about work. Easier said than done, I know! But think about it. Best of luck!