Published Apr 2, 2017
Starry2night
1 Post
Hi all so I read articles on this site all the time and some have really helped me through my career I'm looking for advice on my next move...
A little background, I was a LPN for 5 years in substance abuse before getting my RN now I work in a Neurosurgical/MedSurg unit. I will be an RN for 2 years in July.
I just had my first son a few months ago :) and haven't been back to work for long but in short I'm exhausted and stressed with work! I feel I still haven't got back to my prebaby work mode when I'm there plus they made changes while I was gone adding more busy work for nurses and now I'm not getting home until after 9pm most nights (I live 10 miles away). It's just not the same as when I left and I had to make a lot of changes in an instant! Not to mention my schedule is being moved around after it's already been posted so now I have to scramble to either find child care or be forced to call out which would be unfair to my patients and my teammates:nailbiting:... Originally I wasn't planning on making a move, but I just feel overwhelmed by it all so here's the options I'm weighing...
Home Health: I like the idea of this one I'd like to hear from those who are/have done this and your pros/cons. I've heard it depends on the agency and that you bring your work home sometimes which I don't mind really but what about their flexibility?
Float pool: Kinda iffy on this one which probably means I should just cross it off the list, but I'd also like to read your pros/cons if this is what you do? My idea with this is if I wanted I could do part time or full time is good money but I know it can be stressful at times it appeals to me because you get good money and less of the unit staff stresses. How flexible are they with this position?
Outpatient office: This one is high up on the list. I'm thinking Ortho or cardiac office setting both specialties I enjoy. No 14 hour days. No weekends. No holidays to miss with my boy.. Yet a little less money. This would take away the stress the hospital can bring but for those who have transitioned to this did you get bored? Any other pros/cons?
Work from home: something hard to find these days but if it's out there what should I expect as far as schedule/pay/job duties? This would be the ideal for a lot of us I'm sure but like they say nurses can go anywhere so I'm trying to get more info from you lovely guys and dolls!
I know this is crazy long but I literally can't sleep thinking about going back and decided to post here. I have to make a change and soon I want it to be the right one I'm not one to bounce around. I already have seen myself losing compassion for my patients because I'm so stressed all the time! Any and all advice is welcome and highly appreciated!!!