Dream job--Bad timing--Take it or leave it?

[ajaxgirl]

OK, I don't have the job yet but here goes.

I have had my eye on a certain position at a certain hospital for a while. I am working PT elsewhere. This position has not had a vacancy in 2 years (I have been watching). It is Mon-Fri day shift (although I would only work 2-3 days)-it's part time. It's in an OR. I have done OR nursing for 7 years BUT I have NOT been in the OR for 4.5 years. So, I feel very lucky to have an interview. If I went back to the OR, I would only want to at this place. I don't want to work at a big trauma centre. As I said, postings rarely come up at this place. I didnt even think I would get an interview.

Here is the problem, in my personal life, it's a bad time to start a new job because my mom has cancer and likely only has a few months left. This shouldnt be a huge problem but I will need to take a few days off to be with her at the very end and a few days for the funeral. Plus I probably will be a mess mentally. However, work may be a good distraction.

I know my dh went back to work immediately after his dad died.

The thing is if I pass this job up, my OR experience will be very stale and likely I won't be able to return.

However, there are other good places in nursing to work.

Advice??

[rjflyn, ASN, RN]

Take the job. You could be struck and killed by a car tomorrow.... then what does that get you. You say you are only going to work 2-3 days a week. Most places give 3 days paid or so for bereavement. Beyond than mom is going to sense you are not happy and that in its self potentially could shorten the time she has left.

[noahsmama]

If it's offered to you, you should take the job! It's only part time; you'll be able to spend time with your mom anyway, and you should be able to use family leave time to be with her at the end. It's not possible to know for sure how soon a person in failing health will pass -- "a few months" could turn into a few years (let's hope!) -- you mentioned you've already turned down job offers in the last 2 years due to your mother's failing health. If this were really an "either/or" situation where you were choosing a job that wouldn't allow you to spend time with your mom, then I would advise you to choose your mom -- but it sounds like this isn't "either/or" -- sound like you could take this job and still spend time with your mom too, so I think you should take it!

Good luck with your interview and with your decision!

[peaceful]

If it was my daughter, I would want her to follow her dreams. The universe has a way of allowing all to work out perfectly. Go to the interview.