Next steps? Please help...

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I am an aide who was blessed enough to get a hospital position(in critical care no less) right out of LNA school. I have been with my hospital for nearly a year(10 months). I like 99.9% of my coworkers and can tolerate the .1 % I do not like. I have a set schedule. I like my boss.

Up until recently, I had a small second job that has fizzled out. I was able to grab extra shifts as the other aide was out on med leave. He is coming back.

I cannot make my rent and bills with this job unless extra shifts are guaranteed. I am trying to pick up another PT aide job but the minute a potential employer hears that I am planning on working two jobs, she gets nervous and I never hear back. The initial phone call goes great, we get to that subject and the other shoe drops.

I am afraid to leave the sure thing(current job) I have but if I can't pay my rent, what good is it?

I have emailed my supervisor and have asked about extra hours...I have yet to hear back. Should I jump ship, stick it out, go somewhere else, what???

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm sorry to hear you are in such a financial bind. Why does a potential employer know you are planning to work two jobs? I think it's none of their business, unless you will be on-call. Can you tell them less?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in COS-C, Risk Management.

Try looking into other areas, such as home health, private duty, or agency/registry. You might be pleasantly surprised at what is out there outside of the hospital setting. Best of luck to you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I'm sorry to hear you are in such a financial bind. Why does a potential employer know you are planning to work two jobs? I think it's none of their business, unless you will be on-call. Can you tell them less?

Well I spoke with one hospital and we talked about references. I stated that while I would not hesitate to ask a current employer for a reference, I did not want current employer to get scared and think I was leaving unless it was pretty much a done deal, kwim? It is a tough spot to be in.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma/Tele/Surgery/SICU.

That is a rough spot and I feel for you. What good is having a great job if you still can't make your bills. Talk to your manager, let him/her know what is going on and make sure you tell them you are willing to pick up extra hospital wide and not just in your unit. Ask around and see what floors are chronically short-staffed, my floor is one of those and we routinely have a sign up sheet that anyone in the hospital can sign up for. Extra hours will probably never be guaranteed so you may very well have to do part time at another facility.

When you speak to second potential empolyers make sure to stress to them you have a set schedule at your current job. I agree with the poster who said to look into nursing homes and long term care facilities. Good luck and I hope it works out for you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, ICU.

I wouldn't worry about using your current job as a reference. I've done this a few times, (and never left). You won't get fired for looking for a new job if your performance is top notch. I think my boss is happy I still work there, but knows I won't be there forever. You are under no obligation to tell an employer you intend to work two jobs. They don't own you. What you do with your off time is none of their business. I hate to say this but maybe you should look at your expenses. If your job can't pay for your lifestyle maybe it's the lifestyle that should change. I don't mean this as a criticism, just a cold fact. Best of luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment