Disenchantment with "Dream Job"

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

So I got the dream job back in november (not as a new grad, my 2nd nursing job). I was VERY excited, it was so competitive to get into this Hospital and I was going to be working at their new smaller hospital. I knew I was going to be learning alot, working with a great team.

Unfortunately, it seems like the dream is shattered. Several things happened, at first we were busy, things were great.

Then the last 6 weeks or so, it's been VERY slow. And not just in my department.

Med Surg FLOOR has been closed for weeks.

So all med/surg tele patients are on the same floor, and the ratios are maintained. Many of these nurses will be called off the entire week.

My little unit, has had very few patients, resulting in a good 3 to 5 nurses a night being called off on our floor.

So that's the first issue: my "full time job" has less half time hours.

Next, all these learning opportunities we were getting at first were great, and were paid for. Now all of a sudden it's "voluntary" to attend many of these learning opportunities and it's un paid.

The learning opportunities that were there, always seem to be scheduled all the days that I do work, or at least think I'm going to work so I can't go because of the possibility of overtime. I'm also last given learning opportunities because I'm one of the less experienced nurses, and they want to bring all the super experienced nurses the information first.

So second issue: All my "learning and experience" isn't happening. Even when I get to work it's usually more a step down patient because we have no real critical care patients.

Lastly, our call off system. When we are called off, which is often, they will give us on call..which we get paid time and a half for, but all the other nurses get's what is called an AR, which is guaranteed amount of hours off. So they might get a 4 hour AR, which means they come in at 11 if they need them. These nurses are not given time and a half, and are frequently called and asked if they would like to work first because they don't have to pay them more. I've also noticed that different nurses will argue that they worked less last week (who were PT) than me and they should get to work first...even though I'm FT, so I"m getting as much hours as the part time nurses.

So last issue: the call off system.

Unfortunately, because of the fear of not being able to pay rent next month, I had to look for a new job. I am in disbelief that some nurses whose floor had closed down at this hospital are trying to stay as CNAs!

Why? Supposedly because the hospital is such a great place to work and the "label" that goes with working here.

I'm just wondering if I'm overreacting or is it appropriate to decide it wasn't my dream job since all these issues exist?

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Specializes in OB/GYN, Peds, School Nurse, DD.

I don't think you're overreacting. You have to pay your bills. This hospital could have the best reputation and solid gold toilets,to boot, but if you can't get enough hours then you have to do something else. Is there a way that you could keep this job and add on some prn somewhere else. Could you do some home care or pick up some shifts subbing in LTC?

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

The problem is with the call off system, i'm still "on call" no matter what. So that's one to two days a week where I'm sitting around waiting, and I don't want to have to commit to 5 days a week between two different jobs hoping to get my 3, especially with night shifts. I have an 8 month old who already doesn't see me much. :(

I'm trying to get FT somewhere else because rumor is they will let some of us go per diem possibly.

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Specializes in OB/GYN, Peds, School Nurse, DD.
The problem is with the call off system, i'm still "on call" no matter what. So that's one to two days a week where I'm sitting around waiting, and I don't want to have to commit to 5 days a week between two different jobs hoping to get my 3, especially with night shifts. I have an 8 month old who already doesn't see me much. :(

I'm trying to get FT somewhere else because rumor is they will let some of us go per diem possibly.

Yeah, it sounds like an impossible situation. If i had a young baby, I would be crazy about working two jobs either. I hope you can find something else soon, dream job or otherwise.

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

Thanks I appreciate it!

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As a new grad nurse, I would advise sticking it out. I would be delighted to take any job I could get. I know it seems like you are in a terrible situation, but it's rough out there. Consider talking with your supervisor and trying to work something out. I know that bills have to be paid, the hospital has got to recognize that. There has to be a solution. I have found that there isn't much that can't be done if you talk about it.

In the meantime, brush up your resume and start looking. It's what we do when it looks like things aren't right, right? Then you'll have options if you can't work it out.

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To help you keep things in perspective while you decide what to do in this troubling situation..... Is there really such a thing as a "dream job"? I'm not sure it exists. It's kinda like "the grass is always greener" or the "honeymoon phase" of a new relationship. In this economy, I wouldn't jump ship without a back-up plan... but, don't be disappointed about your ''dream job" not working out. I can tell by your passion for wanting to learn that you have a great career ahead of you! Good luck.

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Specializes in ICU.

get another job before you loose the house. That boat is sinking and dont go down with it!! I always run with a spare tire( aka another prn job) and did before this economy. I feel we need to have jobs on the side where we can work a few times a month and to go to in case the " real " job starts loosing hours. Good luck but it sounds like you need and deserve something more stable.

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

Thanks all! I just received a call with an offer for a position I interviewed for! It does not have the "prestige" of my current facility, but it's full time hours, a unit almost 4x the size of my current one, so I should definitely be getting more experiences and growth!

Fingers crossed I can stay per diem at my other job, but as one of the poster's said, "golden toilets" don't pay bills.

Thank you all for the advice, I was just concerned I was going to regret moving on, but when I started to having to sell baby toys and books I don't use to pay bills, and was actually going to qualify for WIC, I guess it's more of a need than anything.

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Specializes in med surg.

In this economy people are getting called off and hospitals are downsizing, I have been in nursing 35 years and have never seen it like this, we have had dry spells before but none that have lasted this long. I am tired of hearing the word productivity and customers to refer to patients. I am full time and off and on through out the years have worked another job , currently considering another part time job in addition to my full time job to help put money back for my retirement which at this point seems like a dream. With the price of gas and food we all have to do what we have to do to survive.

Good luck in the new job!

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I myself am working 2 nursing jobs just trying to keep the family afloat. I HATE IT!! I think it is ridiculous, but at the end of the day I do it because I have to. Maybe some day my SO will get a decent FT job. Until then I work 7 days a week. And I have to tell you I thought that I too had found my dream job.. Until I started working there. I was promised all of this learning experience, but it was always scheduled when I would work or when I would need to sleep to work. Also I NEVER had days off. It seemed that there was always some inservice/meeting that had to be attended. Needless to say my dream job was short lived. I would rather work the two jobs I am working now, than work that one job.

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I am so glad you found another opportunity!

I was worried that I was being insensitive earlier. In my first career, I never stayed in jobs that didn't work for me and always found a another path when I needed to. I apologize if I sounded like a jerk!

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