Fed Up with Being Overworked and low pay! Advise???

[Sehille4774]

I wanted to put this in the general nursing catagory...but I think the folks on the home care section might have better incite for me.

I have come to the conclusion that H.C. agencies are a business just like every other part of healthcare...and they are going to tell you whatever necessary to get us to work the shifts they need to make it all work.

I honestly do not feel like any other setting I would go to would be much better from that standpoint...

But I have found that I now have a very unique and MUCH needed skill set (Proficiency with the vents and trachs for peds) I really feel like I am helping some people by sticking around and now I am even training people new to trach and vent...and isn't that why I became a nurse...to help people!

Two main problems I am facing is 1. Everyone is out of work at my house...so though I make good money...I end up working 50+ hours every week just to make ends meet..when I could EASILY go get a 5 or 6$ per/hour raise in a different setting.

2. The agency is really putting me in S#$tty positions lately...cases where the parents are so FED up with their shifts not being covered..that literally if I didnt pick up extra shifts then we would lose the case...or parents who do not have a strong skill set with respiratory care who desperately need a nurse would just go without...So even if I wanted to take a day off..its really hard.

Problem is....every time we hire some people....the agency leaves us regulars overextended and opens new cases with them instead in the hopes we will pick up the slack---and if we don't the 'oh well'

So since I have waited and waited for the situation to improve (and since my true goal and dream was always to work in the hospital or facility...and this was supposed to be temporary)

So I am kinda conflicted from a moral standpoint......I feel like the right thing to do, now that I have all this training and experience is to stay right where I am....but the lure of a fancier job with better money is always calling me..

So how do you folks feel? Ever stay somewhere and take way less money because they really needed you? Any input..good or bad, i'll take.

Thanks AN community for being a great outlet to vent to once in awhile!

Happy New Year!!

[LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN]

While your patients may need you, the fact is with any bussiness anyone is disposiable, and your company would not hesitate to replace you if something came up.

Wouldn't it be better for you and your work/family life balance if you were able to work less yet make more money? 50 hours a week is a lot.

Put some feelers out there see what opportunites are out there and do what makes you happy

[caliotter3]

You said that everyone is out of work at your house, so I think the moral thing to do is to do right by your family by taking a better job.

[paddler]

I agree with previous posters. As specialized as you are, in the company's eyes you are completely disposable. I think if you want to protect your sanity, and your family's income you should consider the other job offer and weigh the pros and cons.