Unit Secretary Job

[studentnurse3]

I could really use some input from you all. I am currently on my local CC waitlist (about three to four years wait, so I hear) and I have been working at home as a medical transcriptionist for 10 years. Well, I applied for a unit secretary job at the local hospital and I got offered the job. It is the evening shift from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. At first I was very excited about the offer and now I am wondering if it will be a wise choice or not? My dilemma is that I have three kids, 11, 7 and 4. With this shift it will mean that I will need to put two of them into some type of daycare for about 1 hour to an hour and a half each day I work. My husband would pick them up as soon as he gets home. These two kids don't want me to take the job because they will not see me very often.Although when I work one weekend a month (12 hour shift) I will have a few days off during the week of that weekend I work and the week after I work that 12 hours shift so I would be around then but is that enough??

Has anyone with kids worked this shift and if so, how did your kids adjust to this? How did you adjust? Was it worth it? I have heard so many positive threads on this website about how helpful the unit secretary job has been for them before they started their nursing career. I do feel that this job will help me in the long run with me becoming a nurse but I am having mixed feelings about how this decision will affect my family, especially the kids. My husband supports whatever decision I make. I don't know what to do. Should I stay at home as a medical transcriptionist or should I take a chance and take the unit secretary job? Any suggestions or insight would be greatly appreciated. :thankya:

[Retired R.N.]

Have you thought about what your arrangements for the children will be when you start classes? You get only this one chance to be with your children, whereas there will always be other jobs and/or other classes. I think you need to take enough time to make sure you really know what your priorities are and whether your husband is enthusiastic about your plans or simply agreeing with you to avoid an argument.

Best wishes for success, whatever you decide!

[RN007]

I graduate in May and have contemplated many shifts and know that 3-11p is the one shift that will not work for me. Not only would my kids have to go to after-school care, but someone else will have to help with homework, feed them, play with them and put them to bed. I would see my kids an hour a day in the morning before they go to school. That's not why I chose to become a mom. I agree with the earlier post. Your kids are only young once. I also agree having a job at the hospital can be useful. In fact, I'm trying to get on as an aide now myself, but not at the expense of my children. Is another shift a possibility, even if you have to wait? Good luck!

[tobimikal]

I also have 3 kids all under four years old. I have worked graveyards and 2-10. Mine are younger than yours so that may make a difference but it was really hard on them. sounds like they wont have to do much daycare so that would be a plus. It is always better when they get to hang out with dad instead of daycare. All I can say is that it sounds like you already have some guilt about it and that will only get worse when you are actually working. I suggest waiting for a morning shift to open, that will not be nearly as hard on them. Just my two cents. Good Luck.

[Chaya, ASN, RN]

Being around during the day is useful during the summer when they're out of school, though.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

Even after classes are done you will have a weird (to the rest of the world) schedule as a nurse. They won't see you at all on the days you work probably.