Decision help, PRN vs PT

[kitkatsmom]

I have a decision to make

I work at a hospital and when I started I was part time 12 hour shifts on a busy med surg floor. We were required to work ONE weekend per month and every other holiday.

After a year of steady med surg I decided to become House Float pool so I could make my own hours and pick and choose which floors/departments I worked in. (unless pulled).

The reason behind going float pool was that I disliked 12 hours shifts (pool can pick up any combination of hours such as 4, 8, or 12) and I disliked Med Surg!!!

I've been happy as a float pool nurse for the most part but I dislike how I can be called off so many shifts in a row when census is low and that does happen a lot, certain times of the year. (I need to be able to count on certain income which isn't always possible with float pool) I also have no home base (unit) and have no seniority etc about anything.

Recently a position has opened up within the hospital on a unit that would allow me 8 hrs shifts. It would be a steady part time position so I would be able to count on the hours and pay each week.

I know this would be my last chance to get a steady 8hr position at my hospital since very soon every unit will only hire in 12 hr shifts. (existing 8hr people can stay 8hrs)

Not sure what to do..

Pros

Being part of a unit and part of a team (this unit is made up of wonderful kind nurses and managers)

Having steady income to count on. (very important now)

NOT MED SURG

Cons

WORKING EVERY OTHER WEEKEND!!! (big big con)

WORKING EVERY OTHER HOLIDAY!!!

Taking an almost 10$ hr pay cut. (pool makes more money since we have no benefits etc)

I am not sure what to do. I'd really like to settle in somewhere consistent.

This gives me 8hr shifts..

But the pay cut and every other weekend thing are really painful..

Advice anyone?

[Libby1987]

10/hr? Ouch! Could that work to be not much more money over the course of a year than you were making in float pool? What kind of benefits would you receive with part time and do you need them? The $10/hr could be mitigated if you received PTO.

Every other weekend could be hard if they're that important to you, OTOH all of those week days off could be too depending on what you like to do on your time off.

[RatherBHiking, BSN, RN]

$10/hr paycut is a lot and they can still call you off if census is low depending on unit. If you can afford it and can handle working more weekends a month then do it but I kind of agree that you aren't going to be making much more than you were. Have you thought of maybe just picking up a second PRN job elsewhere? Maybe wait a little longer til something better comes along? Being part of a unit is good but then you'll also have to deal more with all the politics, finding someone to cover days you want off, getting called in when they need someone, etc. Things to consider...