In Need of Some Advice Please

[urijahsmommy]

Hello! I am a new grad nurse (well I'm not sure if I'm considered new grad anymore...I graduated in May 2018 and have been working as a RN since December '18) I currently work as a contracted nurse for students who need nursing services during school hours. My students include T1 diabetics, epileptics, asthmatics, and children that need GTF just to name a few. I love going to work each day and enjoy caring for these kids. I really can’t complain about this job other than the low pay, unsteady hours, and lack of benefits. I work within a 5 minute radius from home, my son's school, and my in laws (whom take my 7 yo son to school and pick him up). In starting this position, I was advised that the I would lose the nursing skills I learned in school as I would not use them in a school setting. Although this is true, I am using another skill set such as administering Diastat, epipens, inhalers or treating a T1DM for their highs and lows.

So here's my dilemma...I have been accepted into a med-surg new grad program at a hospital 20 miles from where I live. I know this is an opportunity of a lifetime, especially in my area where new grad programs are very competitive. Many new grads would say that it would be an easy decision to leave their job at the school and accept the new grad program position. I am really torn. I love where I work now and the population I care for, but I feel like if I do not take this opportunity I am throwing away my my chance of ever becoming a floor nurse if I so should decide to do so. I don't know if I will be happy working in a hospital setting where the hours are long and days can be like running around with a chicken with no head. I know the final decision is up to me, but any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Below I have listed my pros and cons of each position:

Med-surg New Grad Program:

Pros:

-Opportunity to enhance my nursing skills in a hospital setting

-gateway to specialize in different departments in the future

-better pay and great benefits

-steady hours

Cons:

-commute time would be a total of 4 hours (2 hours to get to work and 2 hours to get home all d/t horrible traffic).

-would need to leave the house at 530am, will not return till 9pm

-Would need to find childcare for my son at 530am

School Nursing Job:

Pros:

-Love working with the kids

-Work is close to everything (home, school, and in laws)

-Work schedule mimics my son's school schedule (start when he stats, finish when he finishes, have the same holidays off)

Cons:

-limiting my opportunity to become a more skilled nurse

-only work 182 days out of the year (only work when kids are in session)

-low pay, only have medical as a benefit

[myoglobin, ASN, BSN, MSN]

You might even think about going back for your NP. That is because Hawaii is an IP state and you could probably do well with a clinic on the North Shore. This is especially the case if you offer "evening hours" and some weekends. Obviously, this is a "long term" plan, but it allows you to have time with your son now and plan for the future without the gloom of "worrying about not getting experience now".

[TriciaJ, RN]

I was a nurse for 20 years (psych and corrections) before I decided to work med-surg. I was practically hired off the street by the hospital of my choice and was given a great orientation. I'm sure a certain amount of luck was involved, but the point is you don't need to make any decisions under duress.

When looking back ten or twenty years from now will you be happy having missed your son's childhood for the skills and the money? Or will you be happier having been there for your son when he needed you the most?

I believe that if you're a conscientious nurse in whatever job you have, your career will come out just fine. I can't give you the same assurance about your child, especially if you start being mostly absent from his life, and much more stressed and tired when you're present.

[rnhopeful82, ASN, RN]

I like to read people's pros and cons for decision making. Usually the one they want the most shines through with more positive pros and less negative cons and vice versa. I think you know what you prefer. If you do stay at the school, I would definitely see if you can do per diem or something at the hospital to keep your foot in the door, get extra cash in the summer off, etc. Who knows, maybe you'll find that you do enjoy it more and can switch to full time. Benefits are super important to someone with my needed prescriptions so that's usually on my big positive pros list. Good luck!

[TAKOO01, BSN]

I believe that if you're a conscientious nurse in whatever job you have, your career will come out just fine

This comment is very zen and i love it. May it be true for all of us!

Im always worried in the back of my mind about the "losing skills" possibility. I want to start feeling secure in your statement. Gotta just believe, i guess.

[Workitinurfava, BSN, RN]

If you can move to where the hospital is, then take the med surg job. I don't think you will last if you are doing med surg and having to deal with that long drive, basically if you take the job and not move closer to it, you are setting yourself up for failure, before you even get started.

[hardworkpaysoff, MSN, RN]

I would take the med-surg position for right now.

You could also make a temporary sacrifice and volunteer to work more weekends or nights and hopefully you’d hit less traffic.

You mention needing to find childcare at 5:30am but could you drop your child off with family that morning or have she/he get picked up by family?

Move closer possibly?

Go part time after the orientation?

[Nunya, BSN]

I understand rush hour but would you hit a lot of traffic with the hours for 12 hour shifts? Most people don't have to be at work at 0700, nor do they leave at 1930. I would check this out in person before making my decision.

[myoglobin, ASN, BSN, MSN]

You are talking about Oahu folks the traffic is nearly always bad. Also, housing costs near Honolulu are very high gas is very expensive as well. Plus, none of it will make up for lost time with your kid.

[FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN]

The whole idea that you lose skills unless you work in acute care is just baloney.

You have a different skill set than an acute care nurse.

If you need to switch for the money or benefits, well okay.

But if you leave a job you love because of this bogus idea that you'll get more skills from working in a hospital that would be a mistake. Hospitals are frequently toxic work environments. Mass respect to anyone who works in one.

Don't fall for this nonsense about "skills".

[urijahsmommy, BSN, RN]

@myoglobin are you from Oahu? Everything you said is absolutely true! Unless you live on Oahu or have been here longer than a 2 week vacay, It's hard for anyone to understand just how bad traffic is on this island. You also mentioned the cost of living...I rent an itty bitty 2 bedroom apartment ~24 miles from downtown and pay $1600/mo. If I moved closer to downtown I'd expect to pay over well over $2000 for a 2 bedroom place. Again something I don't expect anyone to understand unless they are from here or have lived here before.

@hardworkpaysoff I never thought to work part time after orientation. I assumed that orientation would be a full time commitment in which the hospital would require me maintain even after the program. This is something I should definitely look into. I could probably pay a family member to watch my son at 530am if its only for 12 weeks. Anything longer than that I would be asking for too much. I don't know too many people that like waking up that early lol.

Thank you everyone else for your input! Please keep them coming!

[KCMnurse, BSN, MSN, RN]

what about a PRN position in LTC, dialysis or something similar to 'keep your skills up'. Do not however underestimate the skills you have and are still developing in your current position. Critical thinking is crucial when you are the only clinician on site and having to make appropriate decisions. I wish you the very best!

[urijahsmommy, BSN, RN]

Hi all! Just wanted to give an update! So...I decided to take the med-surg/tele new grad position. I have completed my twelve weeks of precepting and have been on my own for 2 months now. Although I have learned so much in the past six months and have been told that I’m doing a great job, have made the decision to resign. I have realized that bedside nursing in a hospital is NOT for me. The hours are long, the days are stressful, my family is having a hard time adjusting, and most importantly I have lost that joy of going to work. I have been told countless times that the first year is rough and that it will get better. I have been told many times by coworkers and patients and their families that I am a great nurse and that it reflects in the care are I provide but I am not feeling that sense of happiness I felt when I worked with kids at a school. Yes the pay is better at the hospital, and yes the benefits are better, but all of that is not worth my happiness and most importantly my family’s happiness. I have learned that bedside nursing is not for everyone and I give you all major props for doing what you do.