commute to permanent job/stay local for temp job

Hi! everyone, I work in a local hospital as a nurse. However, after promising me a fixed term one year contract on several occasions, they have continually reneged it. Then they promised me full-time hours on a temporary basis, but every month, they say they don't need me for a few of those days. However, my childminder has to be paid the full amount no matter what my hours. I have got the offer of a permanent job in Dublin, 50 miles away, working twelve days a month, from 10.00 a.m. to 20.30 hrs. I can drop the children to school in the morning, my childminder collects them afterschool and takes them to their own home, and I get the train to and from work. However, some of my friends are saying I should stay local, and just accept what is on offer job-wise. However, financially I find it difficult to do that. Also, a permanent job offers me sick pay if I unfortunately happen to get sick, also pension for my children if anything happens to me as a single parent, and also the opportunity to get an income protection policy, as I now will have a definte contract for a certain number of hours. Further, the hospital in question has offered to pay half the course fees for a MSc programme. My question is, am I mad travelling to Dublin 12 days a month? Some of my colleagues think that it's not a great place to work - it's in the private sector, but same pay and conditions as in the public sector - However, I keep thinking of the financial benefits - any comments and advice greatly appreciated?

3 days a week I would think is do able; I agree that as a lone parent you need a lot more security in regards to sick pay, income protection, pensions etc.,

You need to consider though that you effectively won't get any time with the children on the days you are working; and if you add in the hours required to do an MSc that puts a big strain on you.

I'm not saying don't do it, but have your back-up and resources in place for the days things go wrong (and they will!).

Has the situation in nursing changed that much? A few years back you'd move heaven & earth to get nurses.

Hi! Kildrought, thanks for the advice. It's harder to get permanent work down the country, as most nurses want to move down there eventually as Dublin is so expensive. I'm in another bit of a dilemma now as the local hospital has finally offered me a year's contract, but I was being bullied there by the manager who does out the rosters - allways changing my shift pattern even though I explained that I could not change my shift pattern because of childcare and access order - also giving me work and taking it back - so I don't know what to do now. Any advice again, greatly appreciated.