Advice?

nutella, MSN, RN · Feb 13, 2016

I currently work in icu and prn on a medsurg floor. I was offered a job in the hospital as a discharge/admission nurse. It is fulltime 9-530. It's a easier job, less stressfull and something I can do for many years ( I'm not getting any younger). I'm just so use to working 12 hours and having 4 days off...will I feel like I'm always at work??

Yes - always at work...

I have worked 12 h shifts but also 5 times 8 and the time matters as well. When I worked 3 pm to midnight I did not feel I was constantly working. When I started to work 9-5:30 I felt I had NO time at all - I was so used to appointments and food shopping and such in my free time. Now I work 4 days 7:30 - 4 and that is ok plus the one day off is nice.

Would that be admission/DC on in med/surg?

maco1 · Feb 13, 2016

Yes, this is a new program. There will be two discharge/admission nurses for 4 floors, medsurg/Tele floors.

nutella, MSN, RN · Feb 13, 2016

Yes, this is a new program. There will be two discharge/admission nurses for 4 floors, medsurg/Tele floors.

It is hard to say how this will play out in reality. I guess you will show up and do the admission stuff, perhaps even give the first meds and hand off the patient. Discharging is somewhat easier I feel but can be difficult if you do not know the pat and family at all...

Also, what will your productivity be? how much time will you have per admission/discharge?

Libby1987 · Feb 13, 2016

I would look at how tired I was working 12 hr shifts on the floor, how I felt on my days off, if my body was showing signs of decreasing tolerance. There's something to be said about transitioning to a less physically and mentally draining job in anticipation of what you can do in your last years before you're worn out.

I work M-F days, my days are longer than 8 hrs as I learn a new role, and want proficiency asap, and I still have my weekends to enjoy. When I leave at 5, I still have a few hours everyday after work. And starting at 9 every morning gives you time for a daylight morning activity, gym, gardening etc depending on time of year.

Do do you like the processes of admissions and discharges? The hours won't matter if you loathe the intake and teaching aspects.

The other thing to consider is what is your personal life comprised of. My kids are all nearly grown/raised, I have time to invest in learning something new instead of needing to be home after school.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Feb 13, 2016

I work Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm, but be mindful that I work from home. There's no way in hell I'd want to report to a bedside job and share face time with patients and families five days per week.

Extra Pickles · Feb 13, 2016

I used to do 12s and now do 8s but only parttime. sometimes I even just do 4 hours instead of a full shift if there's enough coverage because to be honest I'm just tired! I work med-surg but it's harder than it used to be and harder on my body so I keep the hours down when I can. I say if you can get paid decently to do a job that's less of a physical hardship I'd take it! Sometimes my week is five days and sometimes four but it's ok because the hours aren't so long anymore. You do whatever you need to do to stay in one piece lol!

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Feb 13, 2016

It's 9-5:30 now. Seems like you could eventually flex that to four 10 hour shifts. After all, those 7:00 admissions are crucial, right?

maco1 · Feb 13, 2016

I'm sure it will prob change. Like I said this is a new position in the this hospital. I know it is alot less stressful than working medsurg and icu. I just hope I don't feel like I'm working all the time!