Offered Interview 5-8's. Currently Work 2-3 12's

Lucky724 · Sep 30, 2013

I don't know what a Navigator is but I can tell you I am in a similar situation..I have been offered a non-hospital based management job M-F 8-5 but it's salaried and 45 min one way from my home. My other option is a 2 12 hr shift position where there would be shift differential/holiday/weekend pay (if I wanted to work them) in an hospital. This is also a 45 min drive from my home but only 2 days/wk. I could work more than the 2 12 hr shifts if I wanted. The pay difference would be less than 10K yr. between the two jobs. I have benefits through my spouse. I am torn because I have worked M-F before and it does take a lot more time out of your life then you realize and makes routine appointments more difficult. The other job appeals to me because it is management but I have a feeling it will end up more than the 40 hr wk.

You don't have the job offered yet so I would suggest going ahead w/the interview on Wed. and take it from there. Sometimes the idea of a job is much better than the reality of it :yes:

alaskaman · Sep 30, 2013

Thanks very much for your response....good to know how you see it.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Oct 1, 2013

I switched from 12s and accepted a job with 5 8s. I've been there for almost two months (time is flying!) as a shift supervisor.

The pros are, I still get off early enough to run errands before going home; the cons is if I need to do important business, I only have weekends off; so if I need to do business during the week, I don't have much time. I have to use sick time, which I DON'T like doing.

I do enjoy my new experience; however, if I could do it for 12 hours, it would be so MUCH better for my work-life balance. :yes:

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Oct 1, 2013

I never thought I wanted a Mon-Fri but, now that I have it, I can't imagine going back to the 12 hour shifts, the nights, the weekends, the holidays.

I switched last year from a 36 hr hospital position (day/night rotation, holidays, every 3rd weekend) to a Mon-Fri 8A-4:30P. Most of my friends are not nurses and I LOVE having the same schedule as them. No longer do I have to answer "working" when they say "what are you doing this weekend?" I sleep in my bed every night, 3 am is no longer a part of my life and I actually have time to do stuff after work. Working in the hospital, I did nothing but work and sleep on the days I worked and I was usually too tired on my days off to do much of anything. I have much more of a life now.

alaskaman · Oct 1, 2013

Appreciate your responses. The Navigator is the patient centered way to migrate patients through the health care system. The Navigator and the Hospitalist work as a team to get patients from ER to Home then there is an outpatient navigator who identifies and monitors the patients progress. The goal is to keep people healthy and avoid readmission which is very costly to the hospital. After 23 years of acute care the last 15 in ICU/ED maybe it is time for me to migrate to the "next step". It seems like yesterday that I walked onto the floor a newly licensed nurse...this career is a journey. Interview should be dynamic. Big one....thanks all for the input.

OCRN3 · Oct 1, 2013

It's a really hard adjustment. For me, I felt that I had more "me" time with the 12s, with the 8s.", it's all about family time. When I worked 12s family time was very small and limited but always had time for me, myself and I, but it gets lonely when your husband, friends, and kids are busy in school or work. I always would work weekends or holidays and I missed a lot of family stuff. Now that I work 8s I can plan a lot more and attend a lot more family and friend events. The problem with that is that if I have anything personal to do it can get tricky trying to get off work early. I guess it depends where you are in life. If I didn't have kids or a husband I would work 12s and weekends and even nights exclusively. I would try it for the experience and if you can't stand it go back to the floor. I'm doing that for at Least 6 months. I have to try and give a chance.

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Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Oct 1, 2013

This sounds like a fantastic opportunity.

The ability to effect patient outcomes throughout their stay and a 10K pay increase.

The 8 hour shifts will fly by, hopefully you will have some energy for the rest of your day , instead of passing out after 12's.

Good luck! Keep us posted.

LandD_RN_chica · Oct 1, 2013

I went from 8s in the OR to 12s in L&D and now 8s working with teen moms. I absolutely love my 8s and love my job. That makes a big difference no matter what hours you are working. I'm able to be home with my kids every night and feed them. Do homework. Hang out. And help with showers. I am also able to get them off to school in the morning before work. I wouldn't trade it for the world. I don't have to work any weekends, no call, no holidays, and no nights and I'm making a difference in my Clients lives. It's a no brainer for me. Good luck with whatever you choose.

alaskaman · Oct 3, 2013

Had the interview. very dynamic group. I did well. It turns out they are trying to build into a .8 with 5 days on and then 5 days off which would be ideal for me. Should know within one week. I am tired!

hope3456, ASN, RN · Oct 4, 2013

Hospitals are going to be penalized for re admissions with the implementation of Obamacare so this is kindve like an emerging new specialty for nurses. I think the worst part of the job would be dealing with non compliant patients.

alaskaman · Oct 5, 2013

After some listening and talking with Navigators I have decided to stay with the ICU. Even with all it's challenges it is more who I am. I was dissapointed that a nurse working in the navigator role told me it's mostly about paperwork not about patient and family teaching....I feel very lucky to be in the environment where I could find out what the job actually is before jumping....

Thanks for all your very helpful comments and thoughts.

AKMan