Any thoughts and words of wisdom greatly appreciated.

FranEMTnurse, CNA, LPN, EMT-I · Jan 8, 2004

We're not here to make your decisions for you. However, the ultimate choice is up to you anyway. So with that said, have you considered working in a physician's officee? I have two friends who did and one still does.

The one who left was a triage nurse who was chosen to answer phone messages all day. She worked a regular 8:30 AM - 5 PM Mon - Fri. The other one is per diem. She only works parttime. Hope this helps.

Fran:nurse:

Speculating · Jan 8, 2004

Originally posted by Nurse2be
I just graduated from nursing school in December. I've always wanted to be a nurse. However, I am a single parent which makes things a little more challenging as far as hospital hours go.

Currently, I work a job that requires no weekends or holidays and I am able to get my little one when school lets out every day.

I'd love to work as a nurse - but to do so will mean that I will have to work nights, weekends and holidays. Where I don't have to do that now. Plus, I'll take a $10,000 pay cut, as well.

I'm not wanting anyone to try to make my decision for me - but I'd like input on what you would do if you were me. Do you think I should stay where there is better pay and better hours, or go to somewhere that I'd really enjoy and make a difference in people's lives.

Thanks,

Emily:D

Emily dear,

Are you such an impulsive person that you didn't think this through before you went to school to become, "I'm guessing here an LPN"? It's kinda late in the game to be to be trying to figure it out now. Why can't you keep your regular job and pickup a couple of weekend shifts a month as an LPN. Or two my most ingenious thought, quite your job insist on that on that $10,000 pay cut because it will just motivate you that much more to finish up your new career with your RN!

IamRN · Jan 8, 2004

Originally posted by Speculating
Why can't you keep your regular job and pickup a couple of weekend shifts a month as an LPN.

Will any place take you PRN if you haven't had at least one year of "continuous" experience?

Also, just wondering where the LPN assumption comes in?

AndyLyn · Jan 8, 2004

Don't forget, by being home with your little one when he/she comes home, you ARE making a huge difference, in HIS life!

Nurse2be · Jan 9, 2004

Hi Everybody,

I appreciate the input. Actually, I don't have an LPN - I have a BSN. And, no, I wasn't impulsive. My plan was to ride my current career out while watching my little one grow up; and at that point be able to start my career in nursing. I assumed I could do nursing on a PRN basis in addition to my current job. However, that's not possible. You have to have one full year of full-time experience at any of our local hospitals in order to do this.

I've really enjoyed my clinicals, and tomorrow anticipate being offered a job in L&D that I know I would love. My current job isn't bad, makes good $$, but just "is" (if you know what I mean).

It's a real dilemma. Make more $$, stay at home and enjoy watching mild child grow up. No holidays. No weekends.

OR

Do something I would LOVE! Make less $$ and have a little less time with my child (not much - I'd be working nights).

Any thoughts or words of wisdom are much appreciated.

Thanks,

Emily

cbrnbloompa · Jan 9, 2004

I am also I new RN-with a BSN and my advice to you is to stay with your child and make the extra money...your child is only young once you should be there to enjoy it...atleast I wish my mother was around when I was younger!!! Nurses will always be needed, but then again you may lose your knowledge if you don't use it!!!???? this is something you will have to ponder!!!!

dphrn · Jan 9, 2004

Originally posted by Nurse2be
It's a real dilemma. Make more $$, stay at home and enjoy watching mild child grow up. No holidays. No weekends.
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The choice would be very easy for me. I would be with my child and make more money! My child would have to come first in my decision making, and then I would pursue my goals a little later.

I did wait until my boys were older before going back to school. They are teenagers now and very good kids. I wasn't a single parent and it was still tough, I can only imagine your struggles.

It sounds as though you have a good schedule with your child and making more money than if you were a nurse...like I said, it would be an easy choice for me. JMO

bellehill, RN · Jan 9, 2004

Obviously you really want to be a nurse if you put yourself through a BSN program. The good thing about nursing is you only work 3 nights a week. That leaves you with 4 days off to spend with your child. You will be working weekends, some hospitals only require one weekend a month (some more). Good luck!

KMSRN · Jan 9, 2004

I believe that you have to provide the most stable environment for your child - he/she comes first. You have stability in your current job, in both time and money. You only have one opportunity to be there with your child. I worked weekends and holidays when my child was young and I regret it and would do differently if I had it to do again. And children are expensive and they don't get cheaper as they get older. You will never regret being with your child.

SC RN, RN · Jan 9, 2004

Emily,

Go for it ... take the job in L&D and enjoy the heck out of it! I left a job that paid $20/hr to go to nursing school for my RN and when I graduate, I'll make about the same (but really less considering the pay raises I would have gotten at my old job). Most importantly, despite what you tend to read on this board, it is NOT about money ... it's about being happy and loving where you're at in life. Best of luck to you!

And to the poster regarding the "impulsive/LPN/etc" comment ... that was quite rude and completely uncalled for. Please watch what you say ... a LPN is no less important a calling than a RN. Please be kind to your fellow nurses ... :kiss

FranEMTnurse, CNA, LPN, EMT-I · Jan 9, 2004

Ya know Emily,

I was faced with a similar situation when my two girls were little. I got a lot of condemnation from church people, but that did NOT matter to me.

I chose to work at my children's school as a teacher aide. When that job was eliminated (budget cutback) I cleaned houses and took care of sick people in their homes.

Then when I moved, I continued to clean houses, and within a year, I got a job as a school bus driver, and a couple months later was recruited into our local ambulance corps. That was the result of a neighbor of a lady's house I cleaned having passed out on his lawn.

Someone came in and told the owner about it, and she offered my help. The only knowledge of CPR I had at the time was what I had seen on the TV show, "Emergency." Within a year, I became the only EMT our ambulance corps had for 10 years, and I had the job as a school bus driver15 years, and was able to see my girls grow up, and be involved in their lives too. I figure I had my cake and ate it too.

Fran:nurse: