Difficult Career Decision, Praying for Direction--Please Advise

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I currently work private duty, very low stress, easy job. Easy to get spoiled and lazy (I've gained 50# since starting this "specialty.")Well, I was in fear the job would end soon so I got scared and started applying for hospital jobs and found one willing to accept me with no experience, but this job is on a telemetry floor and I've been forewarned it is a very fast paced and stressful position.

As I am getting old, I appreciate being able to take life slower, have time to pause and reflect on things. In my youth I was tearing across the fields bareback on horses and rodeo riding and it was go go go! Now, I look forward to cross-stitching and going to bed early. I also know there comes a time to get off your lazy bum and be a grown up and I've got a family to support.

Well, it looks like the private duty job will last awhile longer, though no one is sure how long, but now, I have accepted this position at the hospital, which I will have to try to get switched to nights because even though it will kill me I have to do what is best for my two month old and the unborn baby I'm carrying. But I'm not sure if I should lose my PDN job to take this hospital job and it's making my hair turn grey and I'm exhausted and drained from worrying over it. You know, once it's gone it's gone and there is no turning back.

My husband is as wishy washy as I am so I can't expect insight from him. He did say that I could consider this hospital job as going to school and getting paid for it (in other words, this job would be a real teaching experience that I got paid to do.) In the long run I imagine it would have been better to work at this hospital and on top of that my PDN job--where I utilize no skills outside of using a remote control and eating-- can't be guaranteed from month to month.

When I expressed agony over being away from the baby my husband reasoned that it is only three nights a week (there is a no children at work policy at the agency I work for but the entire family is insistent I am able to bring the baby because it is good for their mother and makes her a lot happier and calmer...but this is definitely not the norm at this agency). Other than the agony of being away from baby I think the prospect of going in a new direction is exciting.

Can anyone offer any advice?

I see from the other thread I started this may be a little redundant. My apologies.

Specializes in ED, ICU, PSYCH, PP, CEN.

I'm so sorry to hear you feel old at 32. What am I at 51. Too tired to be working 60 hours a week, that's for sure.

Best of luck to you. One thing is for sure, there is always a bunch of jobs for us nurses. So don't fret it.

I'm so sorry to hear you feel old at 32. What am I at 51. Too tired to be working 60 hours a week, that's for sure.

Best of luck to you. One thing is for sure, there is always a bunch of jobs for us nurses. So don't fret it.

While I loved and really appreciated Daytonite's advice AND I'm definitely in need of those great websites . .. . .I agree with gonzo. There will always always be nursing jobs and right now you need LESS stress, not more.

I will pray that God helps you make the decision that is right for you and your family.

steph

If it's bodies they are looking for I guess I fit the bill. They said HR would be calling me to schedule my drug test and do paperwork but I haven't heard from them yet. Part of me really doesn't want to do this but my husband is excited (he thinks I will end up making a lot of money but it's just $19.50/hr) and it almost feels like I'm being pulled along to the ol' tele unit by an invisible force. On the bright side, my supervisor at the staffing agency has said as long as they are around I'll always have a job with them and if it doesn't work out to let her know. I'll also try to work a night there once every week or every other week.

I've been reflecting on my job experience and it is funny but the fondest memories I have are when I was sitting on my butt deciphering medical codes in home health. Wonder if I could find a well-paying job doing only that?

I keep hearing the tele unit is incredibly stressful but I would like to know in what way? What is a typical day on a telemetry floor like?

Specializes in Med-Surg, Tele, DOU.
If it's bodies they are looking for I guess I fit the bill. They said HR would be calling me to schedule my drug test and do paperwork but I haven't heard from them yet. Part of me really doesn't want to do this but my husband is excited (he thinks I will end up making a lot of money but it's just $19.50/hr) and it almost feels like I'm being pulled along to the ol' tele unit by an invisible force. On the bright side, my supervisor at the staffing agency has said as long as they are around I'll always have a job with them and if it doesn't work out to let her know. I'll also try to work a night there once every week or every other week.

I've been reflecting on my job experience and it is funny but the fondest memories I have are when I was sitting on my butt deciphering medical codes in home health. Wonder if I could find a well-paying job doing only that?

I keep hearing the tele unit is incredibly stressful but I would like to know in what way? What is a typical day on a telemetry floor like?

Motorcycle mama,

As I recall, the tele unit was stressful for me because, I often did not have the time to sit and think through what might be causing the symptoms I was seeing with my patient. Patients on telemetry often have multi-system problems impacting their health. I frequently found myself focusing on a small problem without looking at the bigger picture to see if that "problem" was the most crucial thing to consider at the moment.

Prioritizing, and reprioritizing depending on the needs of the patients at a given time was just not my strength. I am much better now, thank goodness.

I only took the position because, I needed the money at the time; or so I thought. Hind sight being 20/20, I now know that everything would have worked out fine financially, without taking that position.

Which is again why I state, that if you choose to stay PDN, then just beef up your knowledge base with CEUS. The most important thing for you is balance. Money will never make you happy; however, happy people have found joy and peace within their situations and some of those people end up making a dang lot of money--entrepeneurs.

Anywhoo, perhaps you should follow your joy and see exactly what coding/billing might have to offer you on the side. You may find that you can work as a PDN and code for billing which will keep you at home more and provide for a bit larger income: without pushing you up into a higher tax bracket. .

Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.

The truth is that I think you will be able to make either decision work.

It really depends on which is your main focus right now in your life.

Family or Career?

I guess I would recommend setting a priority in your mind and doing what would be best for that priority.

Given that you are pregnant perhaps it would be better to give birth and see your child through the first few months before you made any career decisions or changes. If you let the hospital know that you are pregnant and don't want to start until after the birth of your child, I am sure they would accept that.

You are still very young my dear!! I didn't even become a nurse until I was 40 and my sister-in-law didn't until she was 60!! You have plenty of time to raise your family and reach your career goals.

The worst thing you can do is let yourself stress out about this. You have two wonderful directions you can take. Let yourself off the hook.

;););)

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