Advice on my next steps from those who have gone before me...

I took a 7 month break from the bedside and worked as a case manager that did not involve pt care. I returned to the bedside because I missed having my stretch of days off and me time during the week. I also missed pt care. I may want to try mon-fri again someday but right for right now it just doesnt work for my life.

I did PICU for many years...I don't see how that would be any better, to be honest. I ran my tail off every single shift there.

I tried the 9 to 5 thing as well and yes, I did hate it. I have two kids. I briefly tried school nursing, but the pay was too poor and while technically the hours were good (7 to 3), we were so short staffed that I always ended up staying late at my office or taking work home, which I hated. But this was a huge urban city. And I was salaried, so I didn't get any overtime. I left because of all that.

You can get good hours in pre-op that are Monday through Friday where I live...like 6 to 2 or 7 to 3. That would be better than having to stay until 5, in my book. Especially if it were a free standing, elective surgery center where you shouldn't really have much, if any, call.

Ambulatory surgery is nice. No weekends, no holidays, no call, pre-op nurses can be scheduled 6 to 2:30.

I don't have human kids but I'm a fan of Mon-Fri after doing it for the past 6 years. The only benefit I feel like I lost/that I miss about working inpatient is being able to take Wed-Wed vacations without using any PTO. What I like about Mon-Fri is that I can plan my life months in advance. I don't have to worry that I might get stuck working nights the night before an important Ophthalmology appointment and can book weekends away without a second thought. Plus every Mon-Fri job I've held has been incredibly flexible- I got a massage at 3:30 this afternoon and built it into my day.

I hate when I delete a whole post by mistake.

I got my MSN (non-clinical area) in Dec, but am not finding the job I want and certainly not the money I am used to. I am a weekend option nurse and there is a pretty good differential. I like being available to my kids during the week. I may have an opportunity to teach part-time online.

I still like the floor, We just got a new manager and they are building a new tower where we are going to move and have brand new stuff. I am looking forward to being part of some positive change.

I may also have an opportunity to do some teaching part time online. Maybe that fill my itch to go BACK to school again LOL. As long as I can physically work, I am going to stay. I have two teenage sons that will be driving and one goes off to college in a year.

Thank you! I realize it's a completely personal decision but appreciate your insight. It's not that I hate the bedside....if 8 hours were an option, I wouldn't even consider leaving in a year.

Thank you! Flexibility to leave on occasion would be nice, and I didn't realize RN jobs had that....I am considering clinical research, as well. Not looking to make a move right now, though....but the move I make I want to be semi permanent (I don't want to be a job hopper).

Thank you, all! If I could work 8 hours where I am, I wouldn't consider leaving. The job just isn't sustainable or even healthy long term doing 13 hour shifts with just one 30 minute break and running the rest of the time.

I am not planning on leaving now (probably in a year unless conditions at work deteriorate further).....but I do want my next change to be positive; I do not want to jump ship for the first thing that comes along.....but will obviously carefully consider it.

For now...I will provide good care, continue to be positive, enjoy my time off with family, and try to find creative ways to hydrate and all. And I won't be going to PICU because like a PP said, the demands are the same as working in adult ICU, and the hardest part there is the continual hypervigilance without ever being able to leave the unit for lunch (or rarely) because everyone was swamped and nobody to watch patients.

School nursing probably really depends on the area and administration. However, I do love kids of all ages and being an advocate for them. We will see what opportunities are available then....I would enjoy case management except I see the hours they have and always coming in on weekends off, so that's a definite "no go" for me.

Have a great week!! I love school, but I am not willing to go back at this stage of life for a masters....and I may never end up going back. Just depends.....I'm at the point now where we can almost afford to travel as debt is almost paid off and would like to be able to do that and see extended family more. Just not willing to delay life for 2 years and do nothing but study, work, family, and run around hectically all of the time. 😊

It is great to be able to be with your children and still have a pt job and fill in when ever you are needed.The reality is that you take a big hit financially for your future.Look at your benefits very carefully and plan on not spending too much of your earnings on your children,you will need this money later on.