Look for new job or stay put?

[ChrisMarie09]

I just need some "what would you do in my situation" advice.

Currently I work 0.6 day shift, two 12 hours shifts a week and about a 40 minute, 35 mile drive each way. I honestly enjoy my job but I'm in a rut financially and I need to work more. I try to pick up 8-12 hours every pay period but those always run the risk of being cancelled so I can't rely on that money. I've also asked if I can keep my current 6 week rotational schedule and just add 1-2 shifts a pay period and that was quickly shot down.

So right now I'm debating what I should do.

1) I've tossed around the idea of taking a part-time non-nursing job close to home as supplemental income while staying at my current job.

2) I've considered applying for a peds allergy/immunology clinic opening at my current location just obviously a clinic setting vs. inpatient, however that would put me at the same commute 5 days per week. But it is also a specialty I've always been interested in because of my own health needs and is something I could see myself doing as an NP down the road.

3) I've also considered applying for an urgent care clinic 10 minutes from my house. This is another area that I could see myself as an NP. My biggest issue with that is I work in pediatrics now and it is what I always wanted to do and something I enjoy. I'd hate to give that up so soon.

So like I said, I'm just hoping to get some opinions on what others might do in my situation.

[ottersloveoysters]

#2 sounds good to me: more hours and in a specialty you enjoy. Where I live 40 minutes is not an unreasonable commute time.

[AMN74]

Do what you feel you're called to do. I would check on rate of pay in clinics vs working in the hospital. You may find that clinic pay is somewhat less than what you make in the hospital, and therefore you'd be working more hours to just make the amount of money you are currently making. But if you could pick up a PRN job somewhere, that may be best.