"Dream" Job vs comfortable job

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello! I am a RN with almost 5 years of experience. Looking back at it - I have kind of jumped jobs. I was neuro med-surg tele for 2 years then the same for another 1.5 years at a different closer hospital (20 min vs 1 hr) and now I recently took what I thought was my dream job at a big city hospital doing outpatient care (commute is easily 3-4hrs per day on the train). This current job is a great opportunity without weekends or holidays and normal 9-5 grind. However, with my commute it makes the days unbearably long. Also - I am missing those random week days off where I could spend time with my dog or just relax. At my previous inpatient job it was 12 hr shifts every 3rd weekend....

What should I do? I find myself somewhat bored in outpatient and with the commute I am slowly drowning. I don't know if I give myself enough time to settle in. Inpatient nursing is of course challenging and there were days I wanted to pull my hair out but the schedule was favorable.. help!

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The trouble with the concept of a dream job is setting unrealistic expectations and the disappointment that comes when reality sets in. There is always a trade-off somewhere to be made.

What is most important to you? It sounds like you are sacrificing a lot of free time in the commute.How many days a week do you work? Is there an opportunity to work fewer days per week? Is there an outpatient opportunity closer to where you live-perhaps transfer?

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Thank you for your response.

I am slowly beginning to realize that what is most important to me is a work/life balance in which currently I am spending a lot of free time commuting.

However, I work in a pretty specialized field in which I am currently practicing and am afraid there is no similar, closer opportunity.

I currently work 5 days a week. I am salaried so I don't know that I could drop hours.

I think my choices are either look for something closer to my home again or move my life to a more convenient commuting area. My husband and I like where we live currently but I am sure we could find something closer - although still at least 35 minutes away as the city is expensive.

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Specializes in school nurse.

How long have you been at the current job? Is there any way you could tough it out for at least two years?

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.
Thank you for your response.

I am slowly beginning to realize that what is most important to me is a work/life balance in which currently I am spending a lot of free time commuting.

However, I work in a pretty specialized field in which I am currently practicing and am afraid there is no similar, closer opportunity.

I currently work 5 days a week. I am salaried so I don't know that I could drop hours.

I think my choices are either look for something closer to my home again or move my life to a more convenient commuting area. My husband and I like where we live currently but I am sure we could find something closer - although still at least 35 minutes away as the city is expensive.

I am glad you are figuring it out based on your values :)

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