Endoscopy Center vs. Mental Health Hospital

I am torn!

I have interviewed for two positions and gotten offers for both. One is an endoscopy/colonoscopy center and the other is a private mental health hospital. Both are day shift positions (7-3). The endoscopy center is M-F, no weekends, with paid holidays...the mental health hospital requires that I work at least 2 weekends a month, with a shift diff for weekend work. The pay is exactly the SAME per hour!

My background....I have one year of experience (L&D). I currently work nights. I was searching for something with a more normal schedule (days) and I also wanted to get out of L&D.

My favorites in nursing school were OR/Procedures like endos and Mental Health.

Any advice on which position to take?

Jen
Hmmm... I always make a pros and cons list.But if I were in your situation, I'd pick Endoscopy. The hours and days off sound great! You get to use skills, like starting IVs, conscious sedation ( I would think?? ), and I've heard from many nurses that they love their job in Endo. Good luck

I would choose endo no weekends or holidays. Mental health can be dangerous and dealing with potentially violent patients. I would not choose mental health plus every other weekend that gets old quick.

Does the Endo require call? It usually does. Lot's of questions I would have like who cleans the scopes, are there CRNA's to do the anesthesia or is that dumped on you?

Do you prefer a more predictable day where you know what to expect and perform tasks repetitively or an environment that is more unpredictable/possibly more "exciting" AKA drama filled? These are generalizations of course, and I've never personally worked mental health, but know nurses that have. I've worked in endoscopy (and L&D) and depending on the variables, you can either be bored stiff with the routine or be running like a mental health patient, heehee. I hated it.....too many "hats" to wear for me personally. The nurses that I know that are in mental health can get bored too, but they consistently have the best stories (other than L&D of course!)

I too would do endo. It would give you a chance to specialize, and the hours sound really sweet. My personal bias is that psych requires someone with a true love for it, otherwise it's difficult, diffuse, and unpredictable. You could be that kind of person, but I know I'm not.

Quote from bugsy2902I would choose endo no weekends or holidays. Mental health can be dangerous and dealing with potentially violent patients. I would not choose mental health plus every other weekend that gets old quick.

Quote from OCNRN63So mental health patients don't deserve nurses because some of them act out?

Quote from Sl1011I don't think that's what she was trying to say??! I personally wouldn't work with mental health patients either (except at the hospital when I don't have a choice), because that's not what interests me and I probably wouldn't be too good at it. There are PLENTY of nurses that love mental health and are great with those patients which is wonderful!!

I also vote Endo. Good luck in your decision making.

I am working inpatient psych as a tech and I love it. I think mental health gets a bad rap. Yes there is a potential to get hurt but nurses can get attacked in any part of the hospital. Mental illness is a disease as well and they require the same respect and care that any other patient would get.

luckyinky, i don't think anyone dissagrees with you about mental health patient's needing and respect but psych nursing is something you need to really want to do... not easy to work it everyday....