Am I making a mistake?

Nurses Career Support

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I am a second career nurse. I have been a nurse for three years. I worked all three years at a LTC facility. I really loved my job and wasn't compelled to look for a new job. It worked for our family. I was 12 minutes from my house to time clock. I worked per diem for the facility working 40 hours a week when I could and also going on trips with family etc. I refused permanent hours because it worked for our family. We moved across country and am currently working registry. I work at a facility that I love really just pass meds, nothing else. I am not an adrenaline junky, am very happy being there for my residents. My husbands job is intense actually working in 2 different states so my availability for our family is crucial. Am I doing myself a disservice but not plunging in deep and looking for a more diverse job?

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I don't understand why doing a job you enjoy would be a mistake. If you're happy in your current job, count yourself as fortunate.

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I work mother baby and love it! But I fear it's not making me marketable as a nurse. I don't worry about it because if i am not on this field or a related one, I will choose not to work. I say work at a job that you are happy at!

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Specializes in ER.

If you're doing what you love, then don't change! I made the mistake of going to an ICU straight out of graduation even though I wasn't sure I'd really like it. Now I am trying to get a different job because the unit wasn't right. Due to my experience, I am actually having call backs though.

I wouldn't ruin what you have if you enjoy it. It's a specialty and a lot of people would be lost if they had to manage meds for 10 to 15 people along with the assessments and the charting that comes with it. I have seen other nurses who went into LTC after graduation and they love it. Acute care is oversold.

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Yes it is the marketability. I have not started an IV, I have no trach or vent experience. I just don't want to regret it down the line by not having that med/surg experience. ( which no one is banging down my door to hire me). But as I said, I'm happy and it works from us. Just a bit worried about 5 or 10 years from now.

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.
Yes it is the marketability. I have not started an IV, I have no trach or vent experience. I just don't want to regret it down the line by not having that med/surg experience. ( which no one is banging down my door to hire me). But as I said, I'm happy and it works from us. Just a bit worried about 5 or 10 years from now.

What is your career goals 5 to 10 years down the road?

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Specializes in ER.

If it's working for you and your family, and you like it, why feel like you have to change? You will ALWAYS be in demand in LTC, probably more so than acute care.

Further down the road, if you get bored or want a change, you can always make the switch. Lots of people have done so, including me. I started out in LTC, for the same reasons as you. I had a young family and wanted part time hours, the demand for acute care nurses was low when I graduated, I didn't want to be stressed by a high demand job at the time, but one that was close to home where my husband could bring our baby to work for dinner to breastfeed.

Then, there was suddenly a high need for hospital nurses again, I was able to get a part time position with a sign on bonus. Since then I've gradually progressed in my career organically, as positions opened up, my confidence grew, and I got bored with previous positions. Now I work ER nursing. My last child is graduating and I can dedicate myself more to my career.

Your nursing career should serve you and your family. It sounds like it is!

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Yes it really does work for us. I am an " older" nurse (50) and I don't mean this how it is going to sound but I will just day it......it's not about the money because my husband has a fantastic job........ But as we know everything can change in the blink of an eye. plus I have twins that will both be entering college in a couple years! I do enjoy nursing but am fulfilled by family, travel etc. I have always earned my own money and continue to do so. I just want to be prepared to step up and be the bread winner if the need arises. I just don't want to be comfortable in LTC and limit my marketability. But your right, there will always be LTC so stop worrying about the job I don't have!

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Boy how things change! I just got a full time position in an Infusion Center at a hospital!

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CONGRATULATIONS!!! I hope you enjoy your new position! You will certainly get some IV experience now, lol.

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Yes it really does work for us. I am an " older" nurse (50) and I don't mean this how it is going to sound but I will just day it......it's not about the money because my husband has a fantastic job........ But as we know everything can change in the blink of an eye. plus I have twins that will both be entering college in a couple years! I do enjoy nursing but am fulfilled by family, travel etc. I have always earned my own money and continue to do so. I just want to be prepared to step up and be the bread winner if the need arises. I just don't want to be comfortable in LTC and limit my marketability. But your right, there will always be LTC so stop worrying about the job I don't have!

AND you could stay per diem at your current positon but take a shift or 2 here and there so that you continue to do what you love.

Best wishes with your new positon!

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Doing well!! No problems starting IVs!!!!!!

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