New Hospice Nurse

[Nurse10092002]

I have recently reentered the work force after a 5 year hiatus. I am an RN with a solid MED/SURG background. I am new to the hospice field. I returned to the facility that I previously worked for. The hospice house is associated with the hospital. I was hired to work full time/36 hours nights. I have a pull to care for the dying and so far love the job in itself. However, they are under a transition of new management and new policies. A lot of the nurses that have been there since the doors opened are unhappy with all of the changes. I have come to the realization that working full time and raising 3 small kids under the ages of 6 is harder than I expected. I am wanting to try and go part time but do not know how I should address the issue. I do not want to quit or go prn.... I am available to work every weekend day or night if needed, but 2 days a week is my limit. Do you have any suggestions in how I should handle this. I am still in my probationary period and have thought about waiting to ask until that is over, Everyone seems to be pleased with my eagerness to learn and work. I love the job but think I took on too much too quick!!!!!!

[summerrose_10]

Are you bothered by the new management/policies? Or, have your realized raising 3 small children and full time work is just too stressful to manage?

You say you have just recently reentered the work force. When you applied, you thought you could handle full time, and raising 3 children. :stone :no::no:

I would address the issue with HR/DON immediately. If you pass your probationary period and they still say "no, we hired a 36hr/wk nurse" what good would that do?

You need to be honest and tell them it is impossible to work full time with 3 small kids(duh!).

Not trying to make you feel bad:redbeathe, but... 3 children under the age of 6:banghead: and a full time job?????

Hospice is VERY difficult, drains even the best of care givers. You have 3 little ones who need the best you have to give:loveya:

[tencat]

Ok, I agree that if it's too much, you should let them know right away and see if there is a way to work it out. That being said, I have to disagree about the idea that if you have kids you can't have a full time job. I think if you have another parent in the house, it's more than doable. Now if you're a single mom, yeah, it's not ideal and not as doable, but if you're the only parent, you've got to make money, too.....tough place to be in. I've got two little ones, but I have a fabulous husband who is a better 'mommy' than I am for sure. It works for us. Do you have any family nearby who could help with watching the kiddos? That might make it a bit easier.