night shift better?

[ame31]

Hi everyone, i haven't been here in a really long time. I graduated in 06 worked for about 4 months in a hospital then left. Since then I've had a baby and am currently working pt in a allergy/asthma office and i really like it. problem is $$$$ with paying for daycare and it beign an office position i don't make much.

I keep thinking maybe i should give the hospital a second shot but am nervous especially now that its been 2 years that I haven't been there and I feel like I've forgotten sooo much. I just feel like if I could do a full year and stick it I might acutally like it. I think before I wasn't really didn't know how hard it would be and it threw me for a loop maybe know knowing its going to be hard I can just set a goal to get through a year and then reevaluate how i feel? I worked days previously and it was just to crazy I'm t hinking maybe if I tried to get a night position 7pm-7a.m. it might be of course still busy but not the interferences of families, docs, etc which might make it a little easier to learn? The other problem is i'm thinking it might even be hard to land a hospital position since its been so long and i worked so briefly after graduating. well, I figured I would just post to get some thoughts and input :redbeathe

[CaLLaCoDe, BSN, RN]

My honest opinion,

I think if you were frank with a future employer and told them of your dilemma, they would be more than willing to have you on the floor with a preceptor until you gained your wings again.

Meanwhile, read your medsurge, anatomy, drug, and physical exam books so your knowledge isn't too rusty!

Respectfully, I think I would not dash my hopes upon a stone just yet. Give it a go. And if you know someone at a hospital try to get them to advocate for you.

Good luck to you. You earned your degree, now do some good with it!!!

Regards!

PS. My mom graduated nursing school in the 1950s. She divorced my dad in 72 and went to work at the hospital in ICU, nonetheless, managing (I can't believe this story! She did get help from a kind LVN). So, if my mom could do it, so can you!

[mama_d, BSN, RN]

Honestly, I think that on nights we get a better chance to educate our new hires on what they need to know and time management than on days...too much hustle and bustle with patients going here and there, more families, more docs, more management, more PT/OT, more case managers, etc....although it is at times a drawback to not have those other departments available, I think that it also allows for more autonomy and critical thinking skills as well. As an example, do I call a doc at 5 am with a non-panic potassium level? I have to evaluate the patient's condition, what other lab levels are, etc....and on days they can just call the results to the office without necessarily thinking it through like I have to to justify an early morning call.

I love working nights...days has too much interference for me!

[ame31]

Hi thanks so much for your support I kind of thought that too I'm a very straightforward person. That is the coolest story about your mom and wow yeah really gives me alot of hope!

[ame31]

Honestly, I think that on nights we get a better chance to educate our new hires on what they need to know and time management than on days...too much hustle and bustle with patients going here and there, more families, more docs, more management, more PT/OT, more case managers, etc....although it is at times a drawback to not have those other departments available, I think that it also allows for more autonomy and critical thinking skills as well. As an example, do I call a doc at 5 am with a non-panic potassium level? I have to evaluate the patient's condition, what other lab levels are, etc....and on days they can just call the results to the office without necessarily thinking it through like I have to to justify an early morning call.

I love working nights...days has too much interference for me!

Hi mamaD, that's what I kind of figured that maybe that without the day chaos as you mentioned I would have more time to think and learn without interupptions every 5 seconds...