Guilt for Asking for a Day Off?

[nursechilespice, LPN]

I work as a private Duty Nurse for a quadriplegic, trached client over nights 3-4 nights a week, I also work partime at a chronic care facility 3-5 days or evenings. I'm also taking classes to get some certificates to work in acute care and eventually as an RN in the ER.

I've been feeling burnt out lately- the private care I provide was technically my first nursing job and I've been there for almost a year- however, its in another city and I travel almost 1.5 to 2 hours to get there for 8 hours work... I've been thinking of asking to work only 2 days a week to give myself a break but the wife of the client (in her late 40s early 50s) complains often how she can't find nurses to work (their insurance pays me) they pay out of pocket for PSWs to come in to help overnights (they are well off, but who doesn't want to save money?)

So I feel guilty for asking... I know I shouldn't. my Chronic care facility pays (wayyy) more than their insurance does and it's 30min walk from my house, so I don't want to have my hours cut there...

Has anyone else been through a situation like this? How did you resolve and get through this situation? I feel like I'm stuck there. Im a new nurse so I was looking forward to working in different facilities but I feel obligated to stay with them...

[caliotter3]

In the end you must do what is best for you. They will be out a nurse eventually if you push yourself too far beyond your limits and something bad happens to you. I have found that long term nurses will ‘divorce’ themselves from a case over time by giving up one shift at a time until they are only ‘maybe available for an emergency call off’, if that. The agency will take no action because they are satisfied with the status quo, so start your move to get what you want.

[beekee]

You are and always will be an employee, nothing more. In the hospital? No pay. Best friend’s kid who’s a recent new grad needs a job? I bet they don’t hesitate to let you go.

Continuing with a job that doesn’t align with your goals, for low pay and a long commute due to some misplaced guilt is probably a big reason for your burn out. What are you getting out of this arrangement? I see no upsides.