I need ALL the advice I can get.

Editorial Team / Admin · Oct 1, 2015

Some nurses will say that you should do med/surg to get the experience. I am of the opinion that if one is offered a job in one's preferred specialty, they should take it. I sure did when I was offered an OR position as a new grad.

However, you do have some other things to consider with your children. I know it sounds simple, but making a list of pros and cons can help clarify a few things. You could also see if it would be possible to meet with the manager to talk about scheduling. You may find that they will jump at the chance to have someone working a lot of weekends. Or you may find that they might not be able to accommodate specific schedule requests. It all comes down to what you want to do and what compromises you might have to make.

LM NY · Oct 1, 2015

Thank you Rose for your reply. I believe a foundation in med/surg is great, but like you said if your preferred specialty is an option then take it.

Sleeping while the kids are in school sounds ideal on paper, but wanted to hear the logistics behind the success of it.

I hate to sound ungrateful, but 5 days versus 3 days is appealing also. I am going to have a sit down with the director and see where it leads. She is so great and has offered to mentor me. I totally see myself working under her and possibly cross training so I can float between the NICU and PICU. Maybe one day the Peds ER. As you can see, I am staying with the kids and that is what I love.

sarah_smile, BSN, RN · Oct 1, 2015

Sleeping while the kids are in school sounds ideal on paper, but wanted to hear the logistics behind the success of it.

I thought so too. I took my dream job as a new grad in the ICU (just graduated in May). I thought nights would work the best for my family. I have 2 kids that are both in grade school, so it usually works out that I can take them to school. Then I come home and sleep by 9am, husband picks them up and is home around 4:30, and I wake up at 5. Looks great on paper, but it does get old not spending evenings with the family, when you wake up and have to get ready for a 12 hour shift that night. AND... I really, really like my straight 7-9 hours of sleep.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE working nights, but what I hate is my nights off. Its been 4 months that I have kept a night schedule, and there is only so much that can get done during the night while the family sleeps, and it gets REALLY lonely. But, I keep telling myself that if I worked a day shift schedule, I wouldn't see them but for maybe 30 minutes before they went to bed on my nights on, so its really the same. I've been seeking out clinic jobs recently to get out of the ICU... and I cringe thinking about it because I really do love bedside nursing, but its hard juggling that and a busy family. My ideal shift would be 11pm-7am, or even a 10pm-6am. That way I would still have time with the family in the evening, and be able to take them to school in the morning. Only in a perfect world :)

I hope you find what works for you! Good luck!

bagladyrn, RN · Oct 1, 2015

I did the "sleep while kids are in school" thing from the time my son was in preschool until he graduated from high school. During the high school years I also had foster sons. I usually slept until 3:30 and was up having my coffee when they got home. I liked having the after school time to connect with them and make dinner before work.

You do have to consider the summers and look into day camp and such ahead of time when they are younger.

LM NY · Oct 1, 2015

One of the big things pulling me back is obviously their holidays and breaks off from school. I don't want to sacrifice my sleep to spend time with them, even though they deserve my time.

Maybe suffering through 1-2 years of med-surg will be good for me. I am afraid of the millions of things that can go wrong from now until my hopeful transfer to peds. I am afraid of keeping my hopes up on nurses that may decide they aren't ready to retire and want a few more years.

Unless a 7am-7pm med-surg position opens up in the next week, I am going to feel so torn. I appreciate all your responses thus far.

sarah_smile, BSN, RN · Oct 2, 2015

I still think you should do what your heart really wants. I am a firm believer that if you settle into something you don't necessarily love just because that is the norm, you will get burned out and not really like your job anymore. Now, if you take the job that you know you will absolutely love (PEDS), and thats where you want to be, you won't get bitter about going to work, like you would if you were doing med-surg per say.

After a year of doing nights (maybe sooner), there is bound to be a position open up on days that you could slip into. A year seems like forever, but I would rather work a crappy graveyard shift (which isn't all that crappy... I've learned ALOT on nights so far), and be able to move into a day position within the same unit I love, rather than hating my job, even though I have decent hours. Just my two cents :)

freyarn · Oct 2, 2015

I bypassed the "doing your time" on med/surg. I went straight to the CVICU. I would say to follow your heart on both options. If you can manage your personal schedule with kiddos and working nights - do it! If not, then consider the other position. I know many people who work nights and have kiddos. It just depends on you :)

LM NY · Oct 2, 2015

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate all your input. The more I think about night shift, the more I am getting comfortable with the idea.

So, I got called to the medical floor to speak to the manager and she told me I was one of three people requesting a transfer. Now, if any one of those are already an RN in the hospital then they will get priority over me being in a unionized hospital. Which lead me to believe the night peds position is probably meant for me (I am a spiritual person).

FeleciaSmith · Oct 12, 2015

Do the experience first. You have already set up too many obstacles to success talking bout the kids and black curtains and all that. Also at the end of the day you are taking care of life not shopping for a dress. It's about you that's why you need some floor experience. Pediatric parents slay nurses like you because your what you want shows. In your post all you mentioned was cosmetic reasons to be in Peds those parents have a hard enough time without a nurse just thrill seeking.

go get your lumps then when you ready in mind body and spirit go to Peds. Of course the manager will hire you and be the first to fire you when you mess up. Go get strong first.

Best Wishes

LM NY · Oct 12, 2015

I appreciate the advice Felicia, and I don't mean to sound rude or defensive, but what led you to believe I was thrill seeking? I may sound too eager, but thrill seeking? These are sick kids, no thrill in that. My point is I knew from day one I wanted to care for children. Did that not come across correctly? Even though pediatrics is my top pick, there is that voice inside my head telling me that doing some time on a med-surg floor will toughen me up for the road to peds. Besides, I know for a fact that this Director has turned away so many applicants, because it takes a special person to be a pediatric nurse. She sees and feels it in me when we are speaking. I am content knowing her office door is always open for me when I am ready. I do appreciate all the advice I have gotten thus far.

FeleciaSmith · Oct 12, 2015

sorry for that badly place adjective. If you can get some experience always choose some experience. I always write and try to change adjectives sometimes good sometimes no

well best wishes on your adventure the fun is just starting.