[ORSmurf]

I quit my job at the hospital where I've worked for the last 12 years. I accepted a per diem position at an outpatient surgery center. Has anyone else made a move like this? How did it work out for you? I'm so excited and I hope I don't regret the move. It's hard to give up all the benefits and seniority... especially after being so comfortable for so long. I've wanted to move to the surgery center for a while now. I was hoping to get a part time or full time spot there, but decided to go for the per diem spot since that's all they have right now (it's so hard to get in there - I don't dare pass up, even on a per diem opening). I'm hoping it will turn into more in the future. I love the idea that I won't ever have to be on call again, no more nights, weekends or holidays!
Any thoughts you all have would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Christine

[dijmart]

i hope you get some replies???
i'm a senior r.n. student and i don't know what the heck i'm going to get into when i'm done, but i'm browsing different areas, so that after i do a year med-surg (probably) i can go into something else.

anyway, yep there aren't alot of SDS openings in my area either & that must mean there's not a high turn over rate....which is very good! well, hope it works out for you, good luck!

[ORSmurf]

Originally Posted by dijmart

i hope you get some replies???
i'm a senior r.n. student and i don't know what the heck i'm going to get into when i'm done, but i'm browsing different areas, so that after i do a year med-surg (probably) i can go into something else.

anyway, yep there aren't alot of SDS openings in my area either & that must mean there's not a high turn over rate....which is very good! well, hope it works out for you, good luck!

Hey - thanks for responding. Congrats on nearing the end of your nursing program! Good luck to you as well

[DutchgirlRN]

I have several friends who work at an Outpatient Surgery Center and they love it. Great hours!

[batmik]

I have worked in bedside nursing for over 15yrs. I am now per diem at the hospital and have been working per diem at a surgery center for 4 years. The work is very different at the surgery center. I get paid quite a bit less but it is a lot less stressful. The company I work for is very good to their staff. As I get older I may decide to leave the hospital all together and now I have my foot in the door somewhere else.

[carebearRN]

Hi there! I started working at an outpatient/pain management center last summer as a per diem RN. I still work at a hospital per diem as well. Let me tell ya, they are complete opposites. I would love to eventually get a full time position in an outpatient facility. There is barely any stress, no weekends/holidays, hours do vary based on how many surgeries that day. It is pretty routine where I work and a lot of the charting is basically the same on all patients. The only meds I pass are pain meds, orders are all the same depending on what type of surgery, and there is no chaos!! I don't get nervous going to work cause I know what to expect. I work in the recovery room where pts go home w/in 1-1.5 hours. It's great! And yes, they are hard to get into, but take the per diem position! Any questions, let me know!

[RB11909]

I have also thought about outpatient type of nursing rather than just the basic floor nursing that the majority of nurses do (at least that's what I think of). Congratuatlions by the way!

[ORSmurf]

I've been working at the surgery center per diem for about 6 months and they just offered me a full time spot! It's been a really great change for me. I still miss my "family" at the hospital where I had been working, but all the staff and surgeons at the surgery center have been fantastic. I feel so blessed to be there and I will tell you, I do not miss being on call!! The pay is not as good as the hospital, but you just can't beat the hours - no holidays, nights or weekends. It's also a very pleasant atmosphere. I think it's a good trade off.