Med/Surg vs. Dermatology office

[nursecrickett]

Hello,

I am currently working in Med/Surg in a hospital. I am a new grad, and have been working nights for about a month and a half. It is KILLING me!!! I hate it!

My quality of life has gone down the tubes, since although I am only working 3 -4 nights (12 hr shifts from 7pm - 7am), it takes me at least 2 or more days to start feeling normal again. I'm not sure if this is due to the fact that I am over 40 (ha-ha).

Anyway, I have been offered a position for less money with a prestigious Dermatology group. My life would again be my own, as it would be M - F, nights, weekends, and holidays off.

My original intention was to do Med/Surg for a year, and then sign up with a registry to do maybe Tues, Weds, Thurs. 12 hr shifts. I know if I make this move, that will no longer be a reality for me, but I don't know how much longer I can manage to do the night shifts. The bags under my eyes are reaching my lips! (ha-ha!).

I needed some advice and direction. My pros and cons list is about even. HELP!!!!

Thanks!

Crickett

[Karen_tn_37211]

Can you do 3-12 hour shifts on days? That would be better than the clinic I think. With a years experience in med/surg you can go anywhere and do anything. Of course there are also those that would say go where you feel like you need to go. Life is too short!

[nursecrickett]

Can you do 3-12 hour shifts on days? That would be better than the clinic I think. With a years experience in med/surg you can go anywhere and do anything. Of course there are also those that would say go where you feel like you need to go. Life is too short!

Yeah, I hate dilemmas....darn career.....TOO many options! I'll work it out I'm sure...just don't know how it will go. We'll see.

Thanks!

Crickett

[peaceful2100, BSN, RN]

Crickett I totally understand where you are coming from and trust me age has nothing to do with it. I am only 24 and nights is tearing my body up but I can't do 12 hour days. Daycare would be an issue for me during the day time but it is not an issue at night. I could do 8 or 9 hour days but not 12 hour days. IF you can tough it out a while longer than do that. I have some class mates who went straight to Doctor office and clinic type nursing and they regret it. Most of them said they are coming to the hospital and then after that go back. The experience one can gain in the hospital is invaluable ESPECIALLY on a med-surg floor. IF one can handle a year or even two on a med-surg floor the options and possibilities will start to become more and more available and if you can handle that then you will virtually be able to handle anything that will come your way. You will also have more respect from others coming from a med-surg envirnoment. That is the advice of my cousin-in-law who has been there done that. Trust me I know about quality of life I literally have no life. Since I work 3 nights a week and on my days off I feel like sleeping most of those days off just to recover. I feel like all I do is work and sleep and if I don't get enough then I am a total grouch end up taking things out on my innocent 6 year old daughter and not spending enough time with her and it is extremely important for me as I am a single mother.