I decided not to sign the contract.

Published

Hello all,

you may have read my previous post regarding the change of terms of an old signed contract, to unfavourable terms. I did not sign the contract and I feel pleased about my decision. However my stress level has increased as I am once again job hunting. My hubby feels I should have signed then resigned when a new position became available but it didn't feel right. I have been in this profession for almost 5yrs and I am yet to find my niche. I am starting to wonder if I chose the right field. I love love love health promotion, but one needs a masters for such a job. I am in the process of gathering info for the masters program.

All I want is a job that I can start on time, leave on time, and make a decent living which having some interest in my duties. It's tough out here, and I don't know what the future holds. My hubby can't understand why I am not like other healthcare professionals that go to work make money and come home, work overtime if needed. I wonder too. Sometimes I envy sales staff as their job doesn't have so much responsibility and their able to have a life. This profession takes everything. Yes there are lot's and I mean lot's of clinical jobs but I have yet to find one that suits me. It's so frustrating. I really thought this last job was it but when the terms of the contract changed and I noticed I had to work overtime. Leaving late to travel home for 2hr. My inability to find a job that suits has affected my marriage, our plans to start a family. All the salaries have been great but I don't enjoy the work so I move over after a few years.

I see business people who are happy and content, why is it sooooooooooo hard to find such an environment in this profession. Somedays I think I'm dreaming and I need a reality check, I need to choose something and stick with it regardless of how I feel. I have spent years working overtime w/o pay, leaving late, not feeling valued. After a while your self-esteem becomes low. Sorry for the long post I just don't know what to do? How can I find an area that suits me, is hiring and doesn't require a masters, with a good work environment. I pray everyday but somedays I feel God is tired of hearing my cries about work and my marriage.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in public health.

Do you want to me a health educator? You can get a master degree in public health or health promotion online. Then you can get a CHES certificate. Check out NCHEC - The National Commission For Health Education Credentialing for more details. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac.

Destiny12,

I feel your pain. I too am struggling to a) get a good RN job in a specialty I enjoy and b) balance the demands of nursing with personal life. I think that it's not you, it's what this profession is. I just finished my BSN (I'm an RN with 4 yrs experience with originally an ADN)... and one thing that really stuck out to me from the nursing history class is that we are Expected to Care, but aren't appreciated or compensated accordingly. Just meeting the expectations of the job isn't good enough, as that's considered baseline. Hang in there! I'm thinking I'll hold out another 6 months and if I don't find a good job, I'll maintain my RN license just in case but I'll go on to a more enjoyable part-time job in the meantime. Bookstore cashier, coffee barista, or swimming teacher are looking better and better for more fulfilling and less stressful work.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

nursebenson--

If considering being a swimming teacher, consider becoming a lifeguard. (My background in this respect is the Y.) The Y doesn't pay well enough to pay one's adult bills, but it's pretty interesting--and grindingly boring, for hours on end; but you have to remain fully alert all the time, anyway.

And the Y does do a LOT of swimming instruction--no idea what they pay for that.

And then you could become a lifeguard instructor--gets more interesting.

My impression is that summer work, in carefully-selected positions (as a lifeguard), can be financially worthwhile.

Just ideas--may be useful, may not be.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac.

Chorkle,

Cool username. :)

I used to be a YMCA lifeguard and swim teacher. Then I was a WSI swim instructor at a local Olympic size indoor pool and Red Cross certified head lifeguard. Taught my fair share of polliwogs and Level 7s. lol Good times.

It pays sh*t, 'bout 6.25 when I started, with all the certs and years of experience ended up earning 9.00 an hour. But it was FUN and not too stressful. Miss the younger years where I could put up with bad managers and annoying patrons. These days, we nurses have to be on our toes to make sure we're perfect 100% of the time. Although, the pay's better now as an RN, but it's gotten a Lot more complicated.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, Trauma.

First, hold your head high! You've sacrificed and worked hard and earned huge respect for being a nurse.

Second, your husband didn't marry every health care worker, he married you. You are what you are and there's nothing wrong with that. Tell him to man up.

Third, when somebody puts a contract in front of you, it's never for your advantage. Congrats on having the guts to refuse.

Finally (I lost count) Work your fingers to the bone and all you'll get is bony fingers. Find the job you want. If need be, use the security of a nursing license to get what you want, even if it's to go back to school for a new career. And be kind to yourself, life's too short. Best wishes for a wonderful life.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
use the security of a nursing license to get what you want, even if it's to go back to school for a new career. And be kind to yourself, life's too short. Best wishes for a wonderful life.

now a day we have no security ..... they will fire you in a drop off a dime

Up Vote Up Vote ×

the best advice i can give you is what i am doing now

i completely feel your pain. So I quit a like 4 jobs in 8 years of being a RN

SO i do Agency you call the shots you get paid about 10 more an hour than staff nurses, you can probably add your self on to your husband insurance. i buy it seperatly im only 30 so i pay 120 monthly for BCBS. more or less the same thing i was paying as a full time employer

and yes at first its kinda weird to go to different hospitals and floors everyday, but then you build a repor with a floor and they ask for you i been working on the same floor for over a year now i work mon thru thursday no weekends no staying because the DON or CNO decided to come in early and have a meeting .... NON of the BS and more money

aslo i come in late all the time you know what they tell me THANK YOU FOR COMING! you even get more respect as an agency nurse

i LOVE THE FREEEDOM!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks everyone for all your great responses. I really appreciate it. I will look into agencies. I may do a flu clinic for a little while, not sure yet. I just feel very discouraged this last job threw me under the bus, the whole process was very stressful. Now I feel like I am back to square one with limited resources. Not sure where to go from here. I guess the part that hurts is I have worked so hard in this profession and at the end of the day all I have to show is burn out.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Telling my husband to man up made me laugh, he needed to hear that. All he can see is green. The funny thing is I only ask for compensation if I exhausted all my resources so he has no pressure we each have our own responsibilities. At one point I was making a great living but I was so unhappy just existing. But I now look to the future thanks to God and everyone here with positive views. Once again thanks everyone your support has been amazing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric Intensive Care, Urgent Care.

i think you husband is right...as adults we dont have the option of not working while we find our dream job. If we dont like a job its ok to look somewhere else...but its not ok to not bring money home while we look for that dream job...

MEx

Up Vote Up Vote ×

dthfytr reminds me--

I once had a T-shirt (it wore out) which said, in old German Script,

Das Leben ist zu kurz, um schlechten Wein zu trinken.

Life is too short, to drink bad wine.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion