Am I crazy for giving up a "cushy" job to go back to the hospital?

[luvmykidz]

My mom and husband think I'm crazy so I just want to know what you think. I used to work as a L&D nurse in the hospital (and loved most of it) and when a school nurse job came open I took it without having any clue what that would be like. I just knew I was getting ready to start a family and wanted less stress, no more forced overtime and my weekends and holidays off. The first week I was so bored I was ready to quit but I thought I'd give it more time. I never did grow to really enjoy it-just the schedule. Five years later I quit my school nurse job to stay home full-time when baby #2 was born. Fast foward ten years (and a third baby) and I get all my kids in school and want to go back to work part-time. I decided to try being a substitute school nurse per the encouragement of my husband due to the great hours and low commitment. So I've been doing that for six months now and I still don't like it at all. I really hate getting called in at the spur of the moment. I hate not knowing anything about the school or kids I'm going to be working at each day (there are over 30 different schools at this district so I'm not familiar with most of them) and nothing has changed like it just really irritates me that everyone thinks the most mundane things are emergencies like a scratch bleeding or twisted ankle but then they don't get too excited about the really serious stuff like extremely low blood sugars in diabetics or kids showing signs of a concussion. I'm also already so sick of lice and the teachers more concerned about that than anything. I want to try the hospital again but my husband thinks I'm crazy and that I won't like it either. I would like to refresh my skills. I would like to have more of a regular work schedule with a paycheck I can count on instead of two days one week and no days for a month then five days, etc. My husband thinks being out of the hospital for so long I'll be shell-shocked and run down. Would it be that bad to work part-time? My husband also works shift-work in law enforcement so it won't always be easy with child care issues which is why I want to do part-time and I already have people willing to help out. I guess I'm just afraid to make the jump and then hate it and have him say I told you so. I would have to start out again on med-surg again for a while which I don't like either but then I could tranfer to one I do like. Am I crazy for even considering this when I could just go back into school nursing full-time with a great schedule? Thanks for any advice!

[Rascal1]

How about a hospital orientation or reentry program then work part-time ? Two days a week ?

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

Nope, I don't think you're crazy at all. I love working in a hospital. While I'm young and without family, I know I can be more accommodating to the schedule, but I can't imagine being a school nurse. I would find it very boring also. I think nurses have a lot of skills, and it's great that you want to use them to your full potential. And really, while overtime and working holidays can suck, 3 12s ain't too shabby.

[NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN]

I'm not a school nurse... how ever I do work as a school health assistant. Since there are not enough nurses, they place CNA's in the health room to take care of the kids and carry out health room procedures. People call me the "School Nurse" I hate when they do that, because I'm not a nurse yet, I'm the only health person in the school though. There is a RN that comes part time. Anyway back to the topic... When I become a nurse this year ( Gods will), I'm not going to stay at my job working as a school nurse. It does irritate me that the kids come to the health room for the smallest scrapes. They constantly come in due to headaches or stomaches. So I can definetly identify with you on this. And yes, the teachers do send them in for every little thing, but completly forgets about my diabetic or kids that have serious issues. People will probably think I'm crazy too for leaving such a "easy job" or job that doesn't require alot of stress or running around. However, If it wasn't for me using my free time to study, I would be completly bored with this job. Best of luck to what ever you choose to do.

[angel337, MSN, RN]

do what makes you happy. you are blessed that you don't have to work full time. once you get your refresher course done and get a job in L&D, you can work registry. i am assuming you don't need benefits, so this would be perfect for you. i don't think you are crazy, it would be very hard for me also to go to work at a job where i don't feel very productive or useful. good luck and keep us posted.

[rn2bn07, BSN, RN]

I have a friend in a similar situation, and she works per diem at a hospital to maintain her skills, and per diem in home care. In home care she literally makes her own schedule and has more time to pick her kids from school, do homework, and cook dinner. She took a break from the hospital with less than two years of nursing under her belt, so jumping back into the hospital was a challenge for her, but home care helped her get her into the groove of things and now she's back in on the floors.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

Why would you have to do time in med/surg?

My goal has been to get out of the hospital - which is why I'm back in school and working part-time in Hospice.

If you want to go back, I'd do a refresher in L&D and then do per diem. YOU make the schedule.

Good luck.

steph

[luvmykidz]

Thanks for all your support and replies! We live in a rural area and the only place that offers a nurse refresher course is the hospital that will give you one when you are hired. For some reason the local hospital also said I would have to go through six months of med-surg before I could transfer to a specialized unit since I've been out so long. However, I could still work part-time for those six months so hopefully it wouldn't be too bad. At least now I don't feel like I'm being stupid for considering this. Thanks again!

[RNperdiem, RN]

I work per diem. It is the perfect job for a mom since I schedule my hours and shifts around my family commitments and when I have childcare.

The hospital may or may not take you on part-time. A year of full-time will really get your skills back, and then you would have more job options.

[Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN]

Like any area of nursing, you have to like what you do or you are not going to be happy. I was miserable in the hospital, but I love my "cush" job as a school nurse and would not give it up even if my schedule was not so great. Although I have to say my days are NEVER boring, I guess it depends on the school you are at. Good luck in whatever you decide!