Which job would you choose?

[lojanto]

I'm about to qualify as a midwife. I had two job offers, one at the hospital I trained (job 1) and another in a different city (job 2).

I have a 5 year old DS and rely on family to help with childcare due to 12.5 hour shifts. Ex has him one day per week.

Job 1:

Pros: I trained here, know where everything is, how things work etc. and know everyone. It's 14 miles/25-30 mins from home, so better for childcare. Do like quite a few people.

Cons: There's a bullying culture, lots of unfriendly/nasty staff. Great lack of support for newly qualified midwives.

Job 2:

Pros: An abundance of support for newly qualified midwives, notoriously friendly staff and pleasant work environment. A better hospital in general.

Cons: Its 25 miles away/50 minute drive on a good run. It's involved driving in the middle of a big city so could mean it could take much longer. Not sure I like the idea of driving 1+ hours home after a 12.5 hour night shift. Don't know anyone or how anything works.

How do you know that the pros of job 2 are real?

A minimum 40 minutes plus extra driving each work day around long shifts doesn't sound like a good option to me.

Already knowing how things work at your current place, going in with your eyes open to what it's like there, and liking a few people, means you're prepared and can try to keep out of the 'bullying culture' as much as possible - you know who to try to avoid, and should be aware to raise issues or try to get the hell out if it all goes south.

From what you've said, job 1.

Better the devil you know.

I know people who work there.

Right now, where you are in your life with a need for childcare support and sometimes needing to get home quickly I would take job 1. I would however plan to get out of there within a certain time period and move to somewhere with a more positive attitude.

Then that would be very tempting. It's hard to weigh up family needs with work happiness. I would be wondering if i was robust enough to withstand a toxic work environment.

Number 1. When I qualified as a Nurse I can remember sitting on the M6 motorway after a night shift trying to get home. I quit shortly after and moved somewhere with little commute - it was hellish and frankly dangerous.