The private duty job I've been doing isn't going to keep cutting it and it looks like I will need to go get a hospital job. I've been a nurse going on 7 yrs. and have either worked in the same low skill nursing home or private duty most of the time (with the exception of an 8 month stint in home health which I hope to God I never have to do again, even though the DON has called me several times asking me to come work for her where she is working a new HH agency).
Anyway, I assume the place to learn skills I should have learned long ago is on a med surg floor (making probably $17.00/hr:uhoh3:)
Doesn't seem to be much of a need for hospital nurses around here now, though--I assume a class must have just graduated. So, I applied in a big city 100 miles away. They have started calling to set up interviews. Don't know how to explain I have virtually no skills (never accessed a port-a-cath, never started an IV, I STINK at blood draws) And since I dread the thought of having to leave my 6 week old and I yearn to stay at home it's incredibly hard for me to fake being enthusiastic--it's even more unappealing to be unable to buy food and pay bills, I guess--but I'm so depressed I can hardly hold my head up. I don't want to take antidepressants because I'm breastfeeding...gee whiz I'll have to pump myself at work--my husband can't watch the baby good enough--thinking about working 12 hours and knowing I'll have to turn around and come back in 12 hours makes me want to melt into the ground---beam me up Scotty---wish I was smart and creative and knew how to make money at home--I just feel hopeless and like I'm going to another dead end job that is going nowhere.
Hospital veterans how do you do it year after year?
A 100 mile commute with a 12 hour shift would probably be dangerous.
I drive 70 miles with eight hour shifts, so it's manageable. I only do it because the money is great and more than pays for the gas. Occassionally I'll work an extra 4 hours OT and that wasn't too dangerous ... I didn't find myself falling asleep on the road ... but, I certainly don't make a habit of it.
One time though, I worked a double ... 16 hours ... and did nearly have a wreck falling asleep on the road. So I'll never do that again.
Being pregnant, driving 100 miles each way, worrying about children, esp a 6 week old, not wanting to work in the hospital...all of these things add up to just too much. It seems with the driving time and expense of the gas you might do better working in a store for $12.00/hr not to mention less stress and shorter shifts. I have no idea what the answer is but I don't think driving 100 miles to a job you don't want is definately not the right answer. My son works at Circuit City for $12/hr. hour, my dd works at a bank for $12.50 /hr, she has a bachelor's degree.
A 100 mile commute with a 12 hour shift would probably be dangerous.
I drive 70 miles with eight hour shifts, so it's manageable. I only do it because the money is great and more than pays for the gas. Occassionally I'll work an extra 4 hours OT and that wasn't too dangerous ... I didn't find myself falling asleep on the road ... but, I certainly don't make a habit of it.
One time though, I worked a double ... 16 hours ... and did nearly have a wreck falling asleep on the road. So I'll never do that again.
I actually lost a co-worker this way. She fell asleep and hit a tree, after working a double shift. She died in the ICU a couple of weeks later. She was a lovely person and a very hard worker.
Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
Being pregnant, driving 100 miles each way, worrying about children, esp a 6 week old, not wanting to work in the hospital...all of these things add up to just too much. It seems with the driving time and expense of the gas you might do better working in a store for $12.00/hr not to mention less stress and shorter shifts. I have no idea what the answer is but I don't think driving 100 miles to a job you don't want is definately not the right answer. My son works at Circuit City for $12/hr. hour, my dd works at a bank for $12.50 /hr, she has a bachelor's degree.
I second THAT emotion..........wise words indeed, Dutchgirl!
I would wok the prite duty as long as that can take you. Maybe more patients may open up for private duty, or keep looking and you will find something you like. Good luck.
Sheri257
3,905 Posts
A 100 mile commute with a 12 hour shift would probably be dangerous.
I drive 70 miles with eight hour shifts, so it's manageable. I only do it because the money is great and more than pays for the gas. Occassionally I'll work an extra 4 hours OT and that wasn't too dangerous ... I didn't find myself falling asleep on the road ... but, I certainly don't make a habit of it.
One time though, I worked a double ... 16 hours ... and did nearly have a wreck falling asleep on the road. So I'll never do that again.