Need advice! Private clinic nursing..

[lilaclover6984]

I have an opportunity to work at a private medical clinic. Full time, all day shifts, slight cut in pay.

I am currently working on an acute in patient unit at a hospital for the mess we call AHS. I'm frankly fed up with AHS and the working conditions and have found acute care to not be for me.

I really like the preventative care model of the private clinic despite the fact that it's controversial ( there is a membership fee). I've always wanted to work in a clinic setting and preventative health is something I actually feel passionate about.

Anyway I'm confused about what to do... Would it be completely foolish to abandon a permanent 0.7 line with AHS for this?

I was thinking of taking it and staying casual at the hospital. What does everyone think? Could really use some advice, especially from those of you who have been in the system for a while. I don't want to continue burning out in a job I don't like...

[Fiona59]

Find out if you can get hired on as a casual in the float pool. If yes, take it.

As a casual you keep your seniority forever as long as you work a couple of shifts every six months.

If you quit outright, your seniority only remains for a year for the purpose of rehire.

Have you thought about applying for dialysis training? Fewer patients and only the acute units work nights. Satellite units are day evening lines with Sundays and the stats off.

[lilaclover6984]

Hmm yes I guess I'll see about staying casual if I decide to take it. Still need to think on it some more.

I've thought about dialysis but heard it was pretty stressful.

[flyingchange]

I work for a university and a private homecare company. I don't regret leaving AHS for a second. The benefits are way better outside of the union negs, too. I kept my casual position to maintain my seniority, but it's really nice not feeling too worried about all the political BS flying around.

[aywl]

I feel much better when I heard so many coworkers' comments about AHS, I am not the only one HATE working for it;

[lilaclover6984]

I feel much better when I heard so many coworkers' comments about AHS I am not the only one HATE working for it;[/quote']

Glad to hear I'm not the only one as well...

Was starting to think it was nursing in general that I hated but I don't remember being so miserable with hospital nursing when I used to work at hospitals in BC

[Fiona59]

When I worked in BC, my coworkers were miserable. Could have been the specific hospital but the LPNs were treated like idiots and wannabe nurses.

Despite the mess AHS is, I at least feel undervalued instead of tolerated.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

I agree with Fiona. Don't resign outright. Ask your manager to allow you to stay casual, then pick up once in awhile. I would also indicate that in your letter of resignation (request for casual status).

That's what many people do in order to stay in the system, and it's usually not a problem.

[lilaclover6984]

So I have a firm offer now on this private clinic job and am pretty sure I will take it. I'm going to ask my manager a AHS if I can stay on there casual. It's still scary to be giving up a permanent line with AHS in these times when people are begging for a line but I think I will really like this type of nursing. Plus can't go wrong with the schedule of day shift Mon- Thurs and closed on holidays.

[lilaclover6984]

Anyone with any last minute warnings before I take the plunge?

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

Despite the economy, sometimes it's still best to move on. AHS is not the only game in town, and hopefully you will enjoy the new position. Congratulations.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

The economy is terrible everywhere, but we can't stop living. Sometimes it pays to take risks, and hopefully you will enjoy the new position. I know it's scary. I am also looking for a new job. However, if you're resillient, things often have a way of working out. Good luck!