Anyone think I'm crazy?

Specialties Geriatric

Published

I am a RN (BSN) with 10+yrs experience-med/surg, LTC, and HH. A few years ago, during a break from HH, I went to my first LTC job. I stayed about 9 months, then went to my current job as a home health case manager (no direct patient care, paperwork only), due to issues everyone else mentions with LTC--understaffing, crazy policies, unreal paperwork, and overtime issues. I've been with this job for 2 years, M-F, 8-5, occasional weekend work.....but doesn't pay overtime (we are considered salary if overtime is worked, but miss 1 minute of work and you are hourly, pay is docked!). My pay is high for my area, I get good mileage, but average 120ish mi/day on my car...It is most nurses dream job, BUT I am getting to the point I can't stand it....no advancement potential in the forseeable future. I am applying for DON and ADON (preferable) positions close to my home (I drive 25mi/day to my office before I drive all over 4 counties doing paperwork). I am gaining tons of weight sitting behind a desk everyday, or driving. Also, got a new car mid-December, already has 5500 miles on it, only used for work, no other driving (old clunker for that). Does everyone think I'm nuts? Thoughts please!

CapeCodMermaid, RN

6,090 Posts

Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

Nuts for staying or nuts because you are applying for ADON and DON jobs?

Sterling-RN

40 Posts

Specializes in Hospice, LTC, Behavioral Psych.

Honestly, I think I am in a similar sitation. RN (BSN), with roughly the same amount of time under my belt. Med-surg, LTC/psych, Hospice. I work in hospice admissions so it is also the job that a lot of people would want to have. I do very little hands on...save for a physical assessment, and occassional help with care...but mosly to see skin. Most of my job is paperwork/charting, phone calls, recommendatons, emotional support, and there is symptom management that normally requires new medications, or a transfer into an in-patient unit.

I drive between 100 and 150 mi/day. Pay is good, mileage is good, I get 10.3 hours of PTO with each pay check. I feel like I am getting fatter also! lol...but moreso, I just feel exhausted all the time, and am getting burned out. I recently applied for what I thought was an ADON position at a small facility, but turns out it wasn't what I was told the job was going to be, so I declined it.

I have people telling me that I am crazy. I work 2 -12s and 2-8s. I used to love the autonomy. I used to love the interaction with people. I used to love the income and perks. But now I feel like I am desperate for a change. Not necessarily from hospice, but a change from the day to day of not knowing where I am going to be from day to day or hour to hour sometimes. I need a break from all the driving. I take PTO. I request regular days off to allow for long weekends, but it doesn't seem to help. I feel like I am whining too much lol. And the kicker is that those who I am looking for advice from are telling me to be patient and count my blessings.

In all honesty, I love the work that I do. I just can't continue this way for much longer. I need to be centralized, and want to accomplish measurable goals, and have the follow through. It feels like a double-edged sword. I am looking for flexible-rigidity in my position lol.

So, no...I don't think you are crazy. I think there is something in you that is seeking a more appropriate siituation for your health, well-being, and maybe a new challange.

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