Missing Time With Family - I Hate My Weekends Only Job!!

Dear Nurse Beth, I currently work weekends only. I have been on the same unit for 4 years & have done weekends for 1 year...and I hate it now. I miss being with my family. Nurses Announcements Archive Article

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Missing Time With Family - I Hate My Weekends Only Job!!

In my current job, I have my own group of 6 and am charge of up to 30 patients on the unit, and one of my coworkers is always behind, so I feel like I have at least 8 patients of my own every shift I work...plus all of the other issues that arise. I never get a lunch, and am just burnt out in this position.

I'm holding out for a 5 day/week charge position without patients (most days) on the same unit, but it could be a few more months (The nurse in it now is definitely leaving it once a 3 day/week position opens). We are budgeted for 2 free charge nurses during the week, and it happens most days, but there is always at least 1 free charge.

I miss my husband, as we only get from 5:30-9:30 during the week so we can pretty much eat and run an errand since all the baby friendly fun stuff is closed. I get home about 8:30 the weekends I work, so I don't see the baby and I barely see him all weekend. I like being home with the baby, but we have an affordable sitter lined up as soon as I make the switch.

But now a school nurse position opened up near me, but in a better school district than we're in, so the baby could attend in that district when the time comes...but going from med/surg to school nursing is intimidating (am I qualified??) and would be a pay cut (like a $10,000 pay cut!).

But I'd be off every weekend and extended time for holidays. The start date is in like 12 days so if I was hired, so I'd probably have to work the next month straight (no days off) to work out my 4 week notice for my current job to stay re-hireable. I would feel guilty about leaving my unit though because I've been here for 4 years...plus, my manager gave me an award last year, and also the top award for nurses at the hospital this year for a job well done.

The school nurse position would alleviate the eventual stress of finding someone to watch the kid on school breaks though because I would be off, but school for her isn't for another 4 years and the husband thinks I'm crazy for worrying about that now haha (and that means less money we'd have to pay for childcare during those times off). I'm determined to get off weekends to enjoy my marriage and husband more...but do I hold out for the position on my unit, or go for the school nurse position and take a pay cut?? The husband says as long as I'm happy we can make it work financially, as long as it's not more than a $10,000 pay cut. But I really don't know if it will make me happier?? Plus just because I apply doesn't mean I will get the position...I'm just nervous even applying to a job outside of a hospital, especially with a pay cut.

Dear Wants to be With my Family More,

The school nurse job sounds perfect for you.

You will have family-friendly hours, weekends and holidays off...and your little one will be in a better school district as a bonus!

It's natural to feel nervous when thinking about a new job, but I have a hunch you will be winning awards and recognition in no time as a school nurse, because it's who you are.

I'm not sure why you feel you have to give 4 weeks notice, the standard for non-executive positions is two weeks. Working one month straight with no days off is really not a good choice, please reconsider that. Likewise, there is no basis for feeling guilty, you aren't doing anything wrong. If you have a supportive manager, he/she will be glad for you if you land the new job.

Please let us know if you decide to go for it, and good luck!

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Nurse Beth

About Nurse Beth, MSN

Career Columnist / Author

Nurse Beth works in acute care and is the career guru at the Ask Nurse Beth career advice column. She has an award-winning blog, nursecode.com

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You are an exceptional employee. I think you should take the school position as long as you know what that job is. The duties and what they expect from you. I believe that nursing is so dimensional and it needs to be. I know what we do in other nursing jobs helps us in the long run be a better nurse in ANY nursing job. I can say from experience is that your family is why your working. Go do school nursing it's a great gig. You will enjoy time off and you can cut few expenses. Do what makes you happy and is good for your sweet kids they grow up fast. Remember there will always be a charge position for you, your a great nurse. But mommy is for short time.

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I saw your post and just wanted to share my own experience with you, even though it is definitely different. About a year and a half ago, I found an 8-4:30 m-f job thinking it would be an amazing change from the 3 12 hr shifts. At the time my 2 kids were 3yrs and 6 months. I thought I would be able to see them and my hubby more, and I had to pay for daycare 5 days a week anyway so I figured it would work out for the best. It turned out that I absolutely hated working that schedule! I would basically pick up my kids from daycare, feed them dinner, bathe them and then it would be bedtime around 6 or 7 because I had to get them up early to go to daycare and they were super tired by then. Yes, I saw them on weekends but I felt like I had less time overall with them. My point is, no matter what schedule you work it is difficult with children. My boss was amazing and I ended working on Sundays only for the last year and a half and I loved it! I also was able to make PRN pay for during that time so it helped a lot. I recently started back full time now that my youngest is 2, and I'm doing weekend nights to save on daycare. I actually feel like I see my family more this way than when I worked day shifts. It is just difficult to balance everything no matter how you do it. I think a lot of us are in the same boat. You might be happier taking a pay cut and working three 12's as a staff nurse during the week or maybe switching to a different unit. Never feel guilty for doing what you have to do to make your life better. A good boss will understand.

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Check and see if someone on the shift you want would like to swap; I worked weekends only for years and loved it! Sure I didn't get much time with my family or friends during my weekend (I worked nights) but was able to be at school for parent teacher things, field trips, baseball practice and games except for weekend games; As a single mother it was the best schedule for my family but it's not for everyone. If your supervisor allows this swapping or going to a floor nurse position might be your best option if you aren't comfortable leaving for school nurse position especially since your child won't be in school for several years. There will be other opportunities to try for school nurse although maybe not in this particular school.

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Specializes in Nursing administration.

When my son was a baby I would have killed to work just weekends and be able to stay home all week with him but 26 years ago nursing was not as flexible as it is today! Maybe you could use this time to work on getting your School nurse certificate. Many schools have flexible classes...evening or on-line. If you already have your BSN it's a few classes or you can get your BSN with School Nurse Certificate together. It's not mandatory but it will make you more marketable and give your more money. It might sound overwhelming but being a mom and working is overwhelming no matter what! I never thought I could get my BSN with 3 young children but I took one or two evening classes a semester and I did! Good Luck!

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