New Grad With Two Jobs

caliotter3 · Mar 25, 2010

I was working an average of 108 hours a week at one time and got a few 120+ hour weeks in when the work was there. As long as you stay healthy and are on a roll, fine. But you need to get out a calendar and make a promise to yourself. I can almost assure you that when you end up in the hospital, (and you very well might), your employers will take a different view of you. Like when it is time to come back to work, if there is any more work, for, you. Yes, they use the employee and then throw that employee away like used garbage. Best to set a date with a goal set to it and keep that date to cut back to more reasonable hours. Best of luck. (Hey, vacations are good too!)

Just a Dose · Mar 25, 2010

So I'm glad your so excited about your new career. It seems like you are in a huge hurry to get work experience, but your direction seems a little unclear. There are so many facets of nursing, do you know what you really want to do?

Figure out your motivation in getting so much experience right away other than single lifestyle. People usually try to get education behind them because it's consumes your time and you dont get paid, but it does increase your earning power.

Is it a personal goal so you can feel more comfortable in any situation? Or is it to just be hired at the next place? Remember you got these two jobs with no LVN experience.

If its really for bragging rights, then remember people care a lot less about what you know than how much you care about them. They care about how you treat them, what you do for them, and conversation can be dull if all you talk about its work. its hard to treat people that are important to you nicely when you work so much.

More money in the long run? More responsibility? If these are you goals then maybe you could consider going back for your RN or BSN. Although I know it's hard to dive back into school right away, but there are prerequisite you could do one at a time. What are your long term goals, and is working 108 hrs a week the best way to achieve this?

Balance in life is important... you work to live, not live to work. I've noticed that enjoying the journey along the path to your goal will make your life more full filling. Because the feelings after your achievement are not always as momentous as we thought - so we strive full force ahead for the next goal to get what we were looking for. I know that all sounds so cliche, but you can find some wisdom in ..

Try listing your values in order of importance to you:

Family, Love, Friendship, Work Experience or Career ladder, Money, Spirituality, Fitness, Nutrition, Traveling, Holidays, Education. Then list what you are doing to foster each one, you cant expect them to be there if you don't spend time on it.

Do you have other interest like dancing, going out with friends, book clubs, being involved in committees, gorme cooking, decorating your house, reading, watching sports?

Developing a core since of who you are is almost as important as experience. You're getting plenty experience with the first job you have, there are probably plenty of people with psych issues at your skilled facility. Are there psychologist that treat people there? Maybe you could try working closer with them. You don't really need the second job unless you need money. Remember YOU are of value, not just your experience.

LVN2010M · Mar 25, 2010

So I'm glad your so excited about your new career. It seems like you are in a huge hurry to get work experience, but your direction seems a little unclear. There are so many facets of nursing, do you know what you really want to do?
Figure out your motivation in getting so much experience right away other than single lifestyle. People usually try to get education behind them because it's consumes your time and you dont get paid, but it does increase your earning power.
Is it a personal goal so you can feel more comfortable in any situation? Or is it to just be hired at the next place? Remember you got these two jobs with no LVN experience.
If its really for bragging rights, then remember people care a lot less about what you know than how much you care about them. They care about how you treat them, what you do for them, and conversation can be dull if all you talk about its work. its hard to treat people that are important to you nicely when you work so much.

Thank You so much these were true words of wisdom.

I am not doing this for the money & certainly not for bragging rights,my main focus at the moment is my career as a nurse. I love working with people & i strive for the experience and knowledge, my main goal is to be an RN but i feel i am not ready i would like to work as an LVN for a few years first then head into my RN. I will definitely take into consideration the amount of time i spend at work and myself and family because in the end it is true what you have mentioned "Balance in life is important... you work to live, not live to work"

2blessings · Jul 24, 2010

I was working an average of 108 hours a week at one time and got a few 120+ hour weeks in when the work was there. As long as you stay healthy and are on a roll, fine. But you need to get out a calendar and make a promise to yourself. I can almost assure you that when you end up in the hospital, (and you very well might), your employers will take a different view of you. Like when it is time to come back to work, if there is any more work, for, you. Yes, they use the employee and then throw that employee away like used garbage. Best to set a date with a goal set to it and keep that date to cut back to more reasonable hours. Best of luck. (Hey, vacations are good too!)

Hey Caliotter, I know this is an old thread but I am hoping you will read it.Please I have a question. How many jobs were you working when you worked 108/120 hours and what were the schedules?

Because of my current situation, I will need to work more than one job when I graduate so I am just trying to plan ahead. So I know what kind of jobs to apply for. I don't graduate until next year. So this is hoping thigs will be better.

Thanks a lot