Hello AN. This is going to be long so please forgive me. I have always dreamt of becoming a nurse since I was a little girl.... blah blah blah fast forward to today after many obstacles I am a licensed RN with an Associate. I have started the process of getting my BSN from a reputable online school and will be starting in November.
I currently work at a teaching hospital in the food and nutrition department. I have made quite the impression on several nurse managers and directors. To say the least, I am grateful that I have had a few offers from them to join their units as an RN.
Here is where I need advice from experienced nurses. I want to be realistic with my expectations, so I appreciate any and all advice. Here is my dilemma, my dream unit would be pediatrics. The nursing director of that unit has a night position available and is ready to have me on board. I haven't gotten the full details, but I believe it is 6-8 weeks orientation during the day Mon-Fri and then you go to your assigned shift after that. I have 3 children all in elementary school full time. Will this shift kill me?? I am working it out in my head. It would be 7pm-7am. So, I would ask to work (if possible 3 consecutive days possibly Fri, Sat and Sun). I can get the black out curtains and sleep while the kids are in school. Other than occasional weddings on a weekend, I really don't care too much about my weekend. I want to be available for the kids after school for homework, dinner time and play.
Or, another position on a medical floor 5 days a week from 8am-4pm with alternating weekends. I don't want to be miserable and regret passing up a peds position. Obviously the experience would be great. The peds director did tell me there are a few peds nurses retiring soon. Should I get my medical floor experience then transfer to peds?
I don't want to be rude and ask when they're retiring. I am still grateful to even be considered for a position as a new grad, but I am stumped. The next orientation is in November and I need to make a decision soon. I hope someone can shed some light. I don't want to be miserable or walking around like a zombie.
No worries! I don't ever want to seem that way to parents. I am a mother of 3 children, so I know first hand about the "parents" experience. We want the best care for our children, but the times I came across nurturing and compassionate nurses caring for my children I had a huge sigh of relief. Thanks again Felicia.
Just something to consider: Will there ever be a chance to enter peds on day shift without doing nights first? In some hospitals there is a "waiting list" of night nurses trying to get a day spot in their specialty. If you do med surg now and then transfer to peds later, you may only be putting off that time on night shift that you will end up having to do anyway. Im not sure how it is at ytour hospital but some places are like that.
Both the Director and Nurse Manager have told me they have night shifts that they have been trying to fill, but just wasn't giving the position to anyone that was willing to work nights. I wouldn't have to do time on a night shift just to get in nor is their a waiting list. I just didn't want to start on a med-surg floor and daydream about being a peds nurse.
LM NY
388 Posts
No worries! I don't ever want to seem that way to parents. I am a mother of 3 children, so I know first hand about the "parents" experience. We want the best care for our children, but the times I came across nurturing and compassionate nurses caring for my children I had a huge sigh of relief. Thanks again Felicia.