Quit my job? Give me your opinion...(longish)

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

I've been doing agency for 4 months and have only picked up one shift during that time at my old per diem job. I've done all my agency work at one hospital 1 hour from my home, my per diem job is 1 half hour from my home.

I've worked at my per diem job for 8 years in a small town hospital where the atmosphere has gotten to be negative. The administration is basically strange, and has created a feeling of instability, constant change and has created an atmosphere that nurtures paranoia. There is constantly a new uproar every week. During the one shift I worked there recently my co-worker complained constantly. It's a drag to work there because morale is terrible, even though it's a nice little hospital where the ratios are pretty good, people can go online during downtime, and slow times aren't really all that rare there, amazingly. Part of the problem also might be that there is too much down time there.

I really love the hospital where I did a three month contract and am now picking up per diem agency. I've been working on a lively tele unit, it's alway busy, working conditions are stressful, but the work crew has pretty good morale and I feel totally appreciated and accepted. I can get as many shifts as I want there.

I love the flexibility of working agency and I definately want to try my hand at other hospitals as well, but meanwhile I'm enjoying what I'm doing now. I got a fantastic review from them, they even threw a party when my contract was up. I want to do another contract in the Fall when the kids are back in school.

I've broken it down to 3 main advantages for me to quit my per diem job.

1) One year after quitting I can do agency there and get the extra pay. They have a lot of needs

2) I have $7000 in a retirement fund that I can get if I quit. We are trying to pay down our home mortgage and that would help.

3) My regular job is a closed shop and I'm forced to be in the union, but I'm not getting any benefits for that expense

Advantages to me staying are free continueing education, such as ACLS, PALS, etc. They do a lot of continuing ed there as part of being an employee, you get paid to do it. Other than that, I kind of dread going back into that atmosphere thick with politics. It's smothering.

Opinions?:coollook:

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

I would go with the agency. Yeah, you had to travel a bit but the pay would probably be better.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Capacity/Bed Management.

I would have to agree, go with the agency position.

I work at a local hospital that is a five minute ride from my house. I have worked there since I was 15 and its like a second family to me but I know that I cannot go anywhere other than my stroke unit.

So I have moved to another hospital 45 minutes from my house as an ICU tech. Sometimes its worth the extra distance.

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imo, i would go with the agency also. it seems if you quit your prn position, it would benefit you more than staying, and from what you stated, it seems to be a more negative atmosphere than your agency position. yes the commute is longer with the agency, but why work at a place where all you see/hear is belligerent complaining and negativity? maybe your agency may have positions for you with a closer commute than an hour away, but then if you enjoy it, then contract with them. this is just my opinion, so whatever you decide to do, i wish you the best! :)

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

Agency is the way to go.

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Specializes in FNP, Peds, Epilepsy, Mgt., Occ. Ed.

To offer another perspective: you could try staying there as per diem. If you're only working there once in four months, the atmosphere isn't going to be affecting you that much. You might also wait out the current issues and see positive change at some point.

I'd say if you can continue on as you are for now, it might be worth giving it a bit more time and seeing what happens.

I suppose if it were me, it would depend on how much I was going to have to actually work there in the near future.

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

Yes, santhony, I considered waiting, but I don't forsee any change in the near future. It's a small, rural hospital and the head of HR and the CNO have wrecked havoc there. There's such an atmosphere of distrust there that word has gotten around in the community that the politics are awful there. Also, it's well known at the larger hospital where I'm doing agency.

The thing is, I would like to go back there working for my agency. They staff that hospital. But there is a waiting period of a year if you were an employee there. So, if I quit now I can work there in a year for my agency, make more money, and not be tied in enough to let the politics affect my emotional well being.

That's the prime motivator for me to quit now.

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

I'm hoping to do another 13 week contract starting this September at the hospital where I've been working through my agency. They really like me there. There's also another hospital in that town about the same size.

There's also a large metropolitan area 1 1/4 hours in the other direction with many large hospitals, and I'm interested in obtaining some experience there. Working agency makes it worth it for me to drive, even with gas prices what they are.

My old hospital where I'm considering quitting is the closest one to me, and it's 30-40 minutes from here, depending on the weather. I'm going to try to work enough this Fall to mostly take the winter off, since winter driving is a bear around here.

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

Seems like you made your decision. I think the agency job would be best anyhow. I'm sure you'll have no problem getting another contract at that hospital.

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

If you decide to leave, please seek financial advice about cashing out your retirement. You will probably pay a hefty penalty as well as taxes to do so. It may not be worth it, given the relatively small impact it may have on your mortgage. You can transfer it to another institution or account without penalty, as long as it is moved directly from Point A to Point B.

Best of luck on your decision.

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.
If you decide to leave, please seek financial advice about cashing out your retirement. You will probably pay a hefty penalty as well as taxes to do so. It may not be worth it, given the relatively small impact it may have on your mortgage. You can transfer it to another institution or account without penalty, as long as it is moved directly from Point A to Point B.

Best of luck on your decision.

At my last job, I received the my money back from my pension. It was about 3500 bucks and after taxes were taken out I got 2800 bucks back. They'll probably give you the option of rolling it into a 403b or an IRA (do you have a retirement plan? I hope you do). Or you can take the lump sum and have the taxes taken out. I would have to advise you to save it. Like Jolie said it probably won't make a difference on your mortgage, so save it. Or save half and pay off other debts.

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

I'll call my CPA today. First I'll call HR and find out exactly what type of account it is.

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