New job- should i take the offer?

Published

Hey guys, looking for some advice. I started nursing last September, so I've only been working for about 6ish months on night shift. However, I hate night shift. It has increased my anxiety, and increased my depression. Once I'm at work I like my job, but seriously hate night shift and it's about a 6-8 year wait list to be on days. I was recently offered a position in a MRI clinic, that is monday-friday, and I have to work one weekend every 6 weeks, all holidays off. It seems like a great gig, and not much of a pay cut. However, I dont want to completely ruin my options in my career by going out patient. I know I will definitely lose some of those basic skills by doing this. Is this a terrible career decision? I like my job in the NICU, but I can't stay on night shift, it has made me miserable.

Thanks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hey guys, looking for some advice. I started nursing last September, so I've only been working for about 6ish months on night shift. However, I hate night shift. It has increased my anxiety, and increased my depression. Once I'm at work I like my job, but seriously hate night shift and it's about a 6-8 year wait list to be on days. I was recently offered a position in a MRI clinic, that is monday-friday, and I have to work one weekend every 6 weeks, all holidays off. It seems like a great gig, and not much of a pay cut. However, I dont want to completely ruin my options in my career by going out patient. I know I will definitely lose some of those basic skills by doing this. Is this a terrible career decision? I like my job in the NICU, but I can't stay on night shift, it has made me miserable.

Thanks.

If your goal is NICU, an MRI clinic will definitely not help you. Whether or not you can eventually transition back just depends on the market in your area and how desperate they are for nurses.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.

Well, what matters most to you? A great schedule or more career and advancement opportunities?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

I think you will regret it if you switch jobs. I feel like you must

be in the NICU, because that is where your heart is and where you

really wanted to be. There are too many nurses who would kill

for even an opportunity for a night NICU position.

Having said all of that... your health is important. I know.

Just remember that night shift can take much longer than

six months to get used to. People do get used to it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I took a 9-5 contract position coming from a NICU. The hours were better, job was easier and pay was higher. But at the end of the day, NICU is where my heart is. Even on bad days in the NICU I know how important the work we do is and I know that I am where I'm meant to be. I am now back in the NICU where I belong.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

There may be a third option for OP. Go ahead and take the MRI job, but remain as PRN in a hospital setting. That keeps your foot in the door. It will help get past that 'recent experience' requirement if/when OP wants to return to acute care in the future. Otherwise, the settings are too different.... it could be very difficult to return to acute care.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
There may be a third option for OP. Go ahead and take the MRI job, but remain as PRN in a hospital setting. That keeps your foot in the door. It will help get past that 'recent experience' requirement if/when OP wants to return to acute care in the future. Otherwise, the settings are too different.... it could be very difficult to return to acute care.

I wonder if this is a possibility for the OP, though ...a new grad only six months in is typically not a desirable PRN employee. And in NICU, I would imagine much of that six months was spent on orientation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion