Canucks-give me job advice

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JOB A Case Manager

A large case management company (CCAC)-it has jobs in hopsitals and the community. They have many scheduling options. Some work M-F 0830-1630. The job I would have is Tues and Wed 1300-2100 and every other weekend 1000-1800. Which I dont mind while the kids are this age and in the future I could change easily. I always would work the same days. Again, there are a variety of set schedules which I could in the FUTURE choose.

It's mostly computer work and no hands on care-which I am OK with. I would need after school care for 2 days a week only.

JOB B OR Nurse

In a hospital-all surgeries are out pt surgeries. The shifts are 0730-1530 or 0800-1600 but the days are different all the time-for example it could be Mon Wed Fri or Wed Thurs Fri. The schedule does not repeat. They put you in when they need you. No weekends. No holidays, March break off, 2 wks at Christmas off and 2 weeks off in summer (not paid though as I am part time).

Working closely with docs-which can be good or bad. This job would require my kids to attend an after school anf before school program on all days I work.

Both are the same distance away. Pay is pretty similar. Both are 3 days per week.

Would you take the hopsital or CCAC?

I can live without doing hands on care.

I think I would like CCAC's low stress level.

OR in hospital has more future opportunities.

WHAT TO DO????????

Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

I guess you didn't receive the response you were looking for in the other thread you posted about this.

There are pros and cons to each choice.

Job A: Pros - 1) stable schedule... this is every nurse's dream, to know exactly when they're working so that they can plan a life and a budget

2) decreased reliance on alternate care arrangements for your kids

3) potential to adjust your hours of work as your life changes

Cons - 1) probably no collective agreement therefore no union protection - some think of that as a pro, but it can seriously impact on your professional life and your personal life if the employer makes unilateral changes to your hours of work, pay structure, vacation entitlement, sick time, pension provisions and so on

2) narrow focus with no hands-on - only a con if you aren't interested in going back to the bedside someday, and not an absolute.

3) expectation of lower stress - with health care constantly in flux and ALWAYS the primary focus of budget cuts ensuring your clients are receiving the care they need may be very frustrating at times. You may find yourself working a lot of unpaid overtime.

Job B: Pros - 1) probable collective agreement protection, with all that goes along with that - scheduled pay increases, pension plan, health care coverage, sick time etc

2) more options for switching units and specialties due to the hands-on aspect and the transferability of skills

3) time off when your kids have time off - many nurses would sell their souls for that when they can't ever get it where they're working due to the nature of their work. The unit where I work has a huge level of dissatisfaction over scheduling at the holidays... any holiday, even Hallowe'en but especially Christmas, spring break and summer vacation. Your kids have a lng way to go before they're out of school.

Cons- 1) the unpredictable schedule

2) the need for alternative child care arrangements - this is temporary as eventually your kids will be old enough to be home alone before and after school.

One thing to consider though before taking an out-of-scope job (ie one not covered by a collective agreement) if you're currently in-scope and that is the loss of seniority should you decide at some point to go back in-scope. (This may or may not apply to you, or it may apply to someone else reading these posts for whom it may matter. It may be far more information than you were seeking and it may not even be interesting to you, but I'm including it anyway in the interest of thoroughness.) The collective agreement will outline how long a nurse may be out-of-scope and retain her seniority upon return to the bargaining unit. Where I work, the maximum period of time one may be in an excluded position is 6 months, and upon return to the bargaining unit that 6 months will not be included in seniority calculations. Why does it matter? Seniority is used in determination of schedule selection, vacation selection, promotion, bumping in the event of layoffs, and in the case where two employees with identical credentials apply for a coveted position - the most senior nurse will get it.

Only you and your family can make the choice as to which job fits your needs best. I find that in nursing no decision is ever truly final. If you choose A and discover that B might have been better, the opportunity to choose B will eventually come around again. (My personal choice would be the OR position because I became a nurse to provide hands-on care. I could be a very effective case manager but my heart wouldn't be in it.)

1 Votes

Thank you Janfrn.

BOTH jobs have a collective agreement. So it wouldn't matter how long I am out of the hands on care. BOTH jobs are part of HOOPP-the pension. Collecetive agreement-VERY nice to have. Now my job does not have one and my scheduled got screwed and that's why I am looking for another job.

Your reply was awesome, gave me food for thought.

The only thing is, if I am out of the OR for much longer-I doubt I could go back. I have been out for a few years as it is. As much as I like the OR, I did do my BScN so that I could leave the bedside "IF" I wanted to. Case management will always be there. The OR may not. Though I think I would enjoy the lower stress of the OR.

BUT I want to get a job for a company or hospital and I really want it to be the place I will stay for a very long time.

You are very right about the OR job, it would allow me to go to any unit if I want. I would be able to train into a new specialty if I want.

I guess to sum it up

CASE MANAGEMENT-I would enjoy the job more on a daily basis.

OR at hospital-Would be the Smarter choice-wiser for career options.

Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

So how do you stack up the chips? Job satisfaction vs career potential? A bird in the hand vs two in the bush? Maintaining skills vs regaining them some time down the road? It's a hard choice. My choice is usually to do nothing! I have had periods of DEEP dissatisfaction with my current job, and despair of it ever getting better, have tried to do what I can to effect positive change and had my butt handed to me (hence the union references!), considered changing units or hospitals and always end up doing nothing. I love what I do in my job, and most of the time I just suck up the garbage that comes with it. Why does it have to be SO hard?

So how do you stack up the chips? Job satisfaction vs career potential? A bird in the hand vs two in the bush? Maintaining skills vs regaining them some time down the road? It's a hard choice. My choice is usually to do nothing! I have had periods of DEEP dissatisfaction with my current job, and despair of it ever getting better, have tried to do what I can to effect positive change and had my butt handed to me (hence the union references!), considered changing units or hospitals and always end up doing nothing. I love what I do in my job, and most of the time I just suck up the garbage that comes with it. Why does it have to be SO hard?

My current job. I loved it for a while (no union). I had a Mon, Tues , Wed schedule, all 8 hr nights. No babysitting needed. Good pay. It worked amazingly.

Then the boss decided to change the schedule. I lost hours but more importantly my schedule sucks. I work many Sunday nights and half my shifts are on the weekend.. SO I sit home alone while my kids are at school.Then I sleep the weekends. What a waste. I want to work when they are at school..

It is so hard for me to make changes especially when they affect my kids (afterschool program etc when they have never done that). I mean I literally agonize. I overthink... I dont want to look back with regret.

I don't know how I stack up the chips-that;s why I am here. haha.

Well I lean towards CManagement but then I think how lucky I am to get this OR opportunity. Personally, I love a brid in the hand..

Have you ever thought of switching specialties?

Specializes in ER, OR, PACU, TELE, CATH LAB, OPEN HEART.

I say OR all the way. OR nurses are in demand right now and keeping skills current is essential. I have been an OR nurse since 1978, however, since that time have also done ICU, CCU, ER, PCU, IMCU, PACU, TELE, Open Heart, Cath Lab, Endo, Occupational Health, Quality Improvement, Taught Continuing Education, Nurse Manager, Assistant Director, and Director of Nursing. Also, doing some agency to maintain my OR skills

Nursing is wonderful in the diversity it gives. I LOVE the OR above anything I need to be active, not good in a sedentary position. CM gets routine after a while. I LIVE for the unknown and excitement, even at my age and years of experience.

I am starting a new position in 2 weeks being a float nurse at a prominent health system where I live. I am looking forward to the new challenge and excitement of new experiences.

Good Luck. Most GOOD OR nurses live, breath, and eat OR and the excitement. It give alot of autonomy and respect. I know you will make the right choice for you and yours.

Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

Now there's a thought... maybe after a while you could parlay your OR job into a cath lab job where you might have a more stable schedule.

I have not only considered changing specialties but I've done it. Most people don't see a distinction between neonatal and pediatrics, but there is a huge difference. I went from an intermediate care nursery (stable feeder-growers with apnea and bradycardia) to a level 3 PICU (med-surg/trauma) to a level 4 PICU (cardiac/ECLS/trauma/transplant). I've thought about pediatric/adult emergency, adult neuro ICU, adult general systems ICU and LDRP, but have never made the move. At the moment I can't do any job that requires being on call, so that eliminates PARR, OR, organ procurement and a few other assorted things. It's easier to just go with the flow...

I agree with Merrywidow, I think I would go with the OR position, I like working with the docs and I am not sure I would enjoy organizing home care over the long term. I have noticed the case management positions keep opening up, kind of like there is a revolving door..... I am not sure of the reason for this but if this trend continues, chances are the CCAC position will be available again in the future.

dishes

I say OR all the way. OR nurses are in demand right now and keeping skills current is essential. I have been an OR nurse since 1978, however, since that time have also done ICU, CCU, ER, PCU, IMCU, PACU, TELE, Open Heart, Cath Lab, Endo, Occupational Health, Quality Improvement, Taught Continuing Education, Nurse Manager, Assistant Director, and Director of Nursing. Also, doing some agency to maintain my OR skills

Nursing is wonderful in the diversity it gives. I LOVE the OR above anything I need to be active, not good in a sedentary position. CM gets routine after a while. I LIVE for the unknown and excitement, even at my age and years of experience.

I am starting a new position in 2 weeks being a float nurse at a prominent health system where I live. I am looking forward to the new challenge and excitement of new experiences.

Good Luck. Most GOOD OR nurses live, breath, and eat OR and the excitement. It give alot of autonomy and respect. I know you will make the right choice for you and yours.

Not everyone loves excitement in a job. I prefer the low stress stuff.

OR -no I dont live and breathe it. I think I was a good OR nurse but I could be happy in many areas of nursing. To be honest I think CM had much more autonomy.

I agree with Merrywidow, I think I would go with the OR position, I like working with the docs and I am not sure I would enjoy organizing home care over the long term. I have noticed the case management positions keep opening up, kind of like there is a revolving door..... I am not sure of the reason for this but if this trend continues, chances are the CCAC position will be available again in the future.

dishes

I agree the CM job will definitley be there in the future. I would guess it could get boring.

OR- my least fave thing was working with docs.

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