Advise needed

[Emilysmom3, RN]

I am a 45yr old Mom of 2 school aged kids. I graduated from a ADN program May 08. I have been working nite shift on a busy med surg floor at a hospital that is almost 1hr from home. It was great a first, I recently decreased my hours to 3nites a week but still everyother weekend. The money has been great. But the hours are getting harder and harder on me. I am always tired and grouchy. Can't seem to enjoy anything anymore. On my days off I just lay around.

I have been going on interviews 1 for a weekend only job at a hosp less than 30min from home but I do not have ortho exp so I am not sure if I will get that. Also applied for a VA job but not sure I have not heard from them yet. Most recently had an interview at my kids pediatrians office. It is part time day work less money although have not been offered it yet but I am pretty sure I will be offered it.

My main issue is, should I leave the hosp that is 1hr away and nite shift vs less money but 10min from home and day work and they did say there is a good chance of extra hours especially during flu season. Not sure what to do. Both the local hosp and dr office said they will let me know either way.

Any advise would be helpful

[athena55, BSN, RN]

Just the fact you have been looking around for a different position tells me you have kind of made up your mind to at least look at different possibilities.

Sure the $$ is grand, but at what cost? Your physical and/or mental health?

Kind of sounds like that job that is only 10 minutes away might be what you are seeking, for now.

How old are your children? Have you told them what you are doing? I had wee ones when I was working 2 jobs and I know I had to eventually stop the second job as I felt guilty as all heck (although the kids never seemed to miss me, ha ha) plus I was all out tired. Working regular 12 hour nights then on days off working 8 hour days was hard. I just ended up doing without (but not my kids... I would have sold my blood for them, smile)

Tough decision, either way. Sometimes we as health care providers - who also have a family, sometimes we get lost in the shuffle called life. You do what you have to do.

{{sending you thoughts and prayers}}

athena