Career Path: Continuing with telemetry vs. Pursuing a specialty (endoscopy)

[erinsbigsister]

Hi everyone!

I check for help on here all the time & it just occurred to me that I could create a post of my own and possibly receive some helpful advice with the current decision I am making!

I am interviewing (3rd interview tomorrow morning: Peer Interview...final step in the process) for a position in endoscopy.

If I get this position, it will be 4 days/week (8 hour shifts). 2 of these shifts will be 8:30 - 5:30 and 2 will be from 6:30 - 2:30; no weekends/no holidays. Will be on call once every 9th week.

If I do not take this position, I have already been hired for day shift on my unit (cardiac telemetry) and leave the night shift in just 3 weeks to work two 12's per week. I have been working night shift on telemetry for a year now. These shifts will occasionally be on a weekend and/or a holiday and I am basically gone from home from 6:00am to at least 8:30pm (and often later if something goes crazy @ end of shift or if we were understaffed that day...which is often).

I do not know too much about endoscopy...other than I will get to do lots of IV starts; one pt at a time; pretty fast turnover; very rarely stay maybe 10 or 20 mins late

BUT

it will mean working 4 days/week vs leaving the kiddos at home in the Summer for 2 days/week

AND

I have not found out if my pre-arranged vacation will carry over (though I can be quite persuasive).

The tele unit can be quite stressful...but I also love how much I have learned and how I have grown as a nurse on that floor.

Any thoughts/advice, etc for me as I look at this decision? The kiddos are voting for the 4 days/week because it won't interfere w/me being at any/all events (in the evening) and games, etc. on weekends...and I'll be home every night. However, this might be a bummer in the Summer.

FYI: I am a single mama of 4. They are ages 17, 15, 14, and 12.

I am thinking that the 2 12 hour shifts may, in fact, render me sort-of useless @ home anyway for 4 days a week...and may drain me a lot more than the 4 8 hr shifts in endoscopy.

ALSO, I think endoscopy will be interesting and will get ACLS certified upon starting out down there.

It's just hard to leave my current unit because I am wondering if it's the best place for me to continue to grow/develop as a nurse...or if that will happen beautifully no matter where I go. And, also, I want to do what's best for my family.

Thanks for any help!!!

Jen

[erinsbigsister]

I don't know if there is a moderator here, but if there is a forum better suited for my question, I would love to move this question there. Just let me know! Looking forward to any & all responses!

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

In view of the fact that you have teens at home (been there, done that) I would recommend the endoscopy position. Most of my problems with teens were related to their 'unauthorized' activities in the evenings - and I had a fully engaged hubby! The ability to spend time with them and share in activities is priceless.

Those two days a week & summer days will provide you with an opportunity to help them develop some of their own "life skills" - helping them to assume more responsibilities for household routines like grocery shopping, meal preparation, household chores, etc. Chances are, the oldest is probably ready for a summer job, right? It will be easier to share transportation if you work the endo job. At any rate, by the time they are ready to venture out on their own, they will be much more self-sufficient than their peers with helicopter parents.

[erinsbigsister]

Thanks so much! My schedule for the telemetry day-position just came out and it really showed me I'd be gone a LOT. There is one week that ends with 2 12's on Fri and Sat and starts with a 12 on Sun...so I'd be missing my kids completely for 3 days in a row after they've been in school all week. Not awesome.

If I get offered the endo job, I'm taking it! Being home each evening and on all weekends, etc. is so worth it.

Thanks so much for sharing your insight/experience!!!

[erinsbigsister]

p.s. that 3 days on was prefaced by several days off...but still! Would rather have a bit more balance...