From tele to cardiology office? LONG - sorry!

[NurseCherlove]

Ok, I am having the hardest time deciding on what to do here. In a nutshell, I am currently working nights on a tele floor and was just yesterday offered a job at a cardio office. I accepted. So that means I will give my notice on Monday at the hospital.

I have been WAITING AND WAITING (for SEVERAL months - almost a year actually) on the right opportunity to get into a cardio office because I have been seriously burned out and sick of being stressed all the time. Well, we recently got a new manager and she seems to be a pretty good leader - in fact, things look like they may just change for the better.

Also just recently (before I knew I had the office job), I talked w/ the manager about moving to the open weekend option day position and we are just waiting for my current FT nights position to be filled. I have also been waiting for a WEO position for a few months as well. My thinking was that I could deal with 2 days of stress in exchange for the 5 free days.

So many other factors....

1) I have some kind of weird neuro problem/atypical depression. It takes me 2-3 days of nearly constant sleep to feel somewhat normal after working at the hospital (day or night shift - doesn't matter). I very often sleep 20-24 hours at a time. By the time I am even thinking about being recovered, it's already time to go back - I can never get anything done. I just feel like my life is sleep, barely keeping up with chores, and work. Very depressing.

HOWEVER, I have recently increased the dosage on my meds and have been sleeping a good bit less!

2) I like the thought of dealing w/ less stress in an office environment. BUT, it has been years since I've worked 5 days/week - yuck!!

3) I have this fear of losing my skills. Or even getting bored. Additionally, I like the directive role of being a hospital RN. Maybe I need action more than I'd like to admit.

But, the main thing I just get so sick of is the nearly constant opposing priorities that so often occurs - that feeling of getting behind because you're having to deal with this new problem - that dread of the bomb dropping at any time, screwing up your routine (new admit, problem x that cannot wait, etc. etc.).

Over the course of working at the hospital, there have been sooo many days/nights I have cussed to myself the whole shift and said, "I hate the f**** job" almost continuously. And yet, I'm still having reservations about leaving? Part of me thinks I must be a little psycho!

So, now I finally have 2 options, both of which I have been waiting for! Life is so ironic sometimes isn't it?

I know I am the one who will ultimately decide (by Monday :uhoh21:), but I'd still love to hear your thoughts!

[YellowFinchFan]

Hi Working 5 days a week - it's hard to go back to that....Can you spend a day at the cardio office to 'shadow' the job you'll do? Can you work perdiem and keep your foot in the door on Tele (to not lose your skills? - on a wknd?) How likely are they going to fill your position so you can switch to the days you wanted on Tele? Maybe you should talk to your mgr and let her know your dilemna and she can either tell you what's doable and if you should stick it out and get the better shift.

The stress on Tele is so bad, and then when it's slow it's too boring for us rats in wheel! I hear you about fearing the boredom factor - Is it possible to explore working p/t for the cardio office? Tell them you fear losing your acute care skills...they may work it out for you too.....

Good Luck

[NurseCherlove]

Hi Working 5 days a week - it's hard to go back to that....Can you spend a day at the cardio office to 'shadow' the job you'll do? Can you work perdiem and keep your foot in the door on Tele (to not lose your skills? - on a wknd?) How likely are they going to fill your position so you can switch to the days you wanted on Tele? Maybe you should talk to your mgr and let her know your dilemna and she can either tell you what's doable and if you should stick it out and get the better shift.

The stress on Tele is so bad, and then when it's slow it's too boring for us rats in wheel! I hear you about fearing the boredom factor - Is it possible to explore working p/t for the cardio office? Tell them you fear losing your acute care skills...they may work it out for you too.....

Good Luck

Hi YellowFinchFan, thank you for responding. I tell ya, ideally, I'd love to work like 2 days a week at the office and once a week at the hospital, or something like that. The problem is that I don't think I can start asking to be PT at the cardio office, not yet (I'll have to wait until they fall in love with me first ). And I did not see any PRN/flex positions open on my facility's website - maybe they could make one special just for me??

I think I am probably going to end up taking the office job - I just hope I don't regret it. I am going to ask the manager Monday about staying on PRN (very PRN). I do like the whole "keep your foot in the door" concept for sure.

Thanx again! :)

[Little Panda RN, ASN, RN]

Keeping your foot in the door PRN is a good idea. I did just that when I left my psych job to work night charge at an LTC facility. Turns out I hated the job and the drive. I called up the DON from the facility I left and asked if I could come back. She said yes, so I resume the psych job on monday.

Give proper notice, leave on good terms, keep your foot in the door PRN. You never know if you will love or hate this new job.

Just my 2 !

[pupinstuff]

The weekend option is a beautiful thing. I work tele and feel the same way as you, but I lucked into a weekend option position. It is worth 2 days of headache for 5 days off! If you think it is likely to move into a weekend option position, go for it.