Overworked?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in Psych.

I currently work full-time (1.0 FTE) in a sub-acute psych setting and just recently got a part-time job in the psych ED doing two 12-hour shifts.

Maybe I'm being too overly ambitious, but I am planning on keeping both jobs. I'm still fairly young, have no kids, and am saving up for a house and future wedding. I also would like to pursue my mental health NP somewhere down the line, and think that the additional experience in the psych ED would benefit my psych nursing knowledge overall. I started off doing inpatient psych, currently in sub-acute, and adding on the psych ED experience.

So my concern is I'm going through the feels of starting the new job...you know, the general anxiety you get about going into a new work environment, meeting your new co-workers, acclimating to the new facility's way of doing things, etc. Furthermore, wondering if I'm being too overly ambitious when I think I can manage both jobs? I've always been a workaholic...I worked 32-40+ hours as a PRN in my inpatient psych job right out of nursing school doing 16-hour shifts all the time. Even as of now, I do my full-time hours in the sub-acute setting, picking up extra shifts there or at my inpatient psych PRN job. I had 24 hours of overtime on my last check.

Anyone else like me who works (or has worked) more than one job and/or ends the week with 60+ hours? Would love to know if it was doable or if it ended up being too much. I don't start orientation until mid-July, so the way I see it, I can get a feel for things during orientation and my shadow shifts and if I feel like it's too much, I can let them know that I won't end up taking the position after all (or if they have a PRN slot, I could do that instead). I hate quitting anything, but ultimately I gotta take care of myself first. :)

Let me know your experience(s) and/or feedback!

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Now is the time to do what you need to. If you are energetic, committed and have a goal in mind, I say go for it!! Just make sure your down time is just that--down time.

Now would also be the time to at least start your NP process. When that happens, you may need to go part time on both jobs, to be able to go to school as well.

And now my motherly advice--I would definitely save for a house downpayment. But I would think about the huge, enough to buy a car wedding. You can include all of your family, friends and have a really simple thing. As your personality seems to reflect in your post, you may kick yourself in the butt for spending a huge sum on your wedding when you could have bought new furniture for your new home. Just a thought or 2.

Best wishes!

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You're young and have no kids. Do it while you still can. 60 hours a week is nothing to some people, but would be a far stretch for a lot of others.

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Specializes in Psych.

Yeah we definitely want a small wedding, ideally 100 or less...however I have a HUGE family. So we are trying to max it out at 200 (hopefully not as many will RSVP ;) ). I'm pretty good at cutting corners, so right now I'm finding deals on wedding essentials since we are in no rush to get married. :)

I was considering starting my NP since I work mostly nights, and our nights can get super slow...which can be turned into good study time! Still doing research on that part, since I'm still up to my neck in loans from my undergrad and nursing school.

As for the house, we moved into my parents' home and are stash-piling money away because where I live, rent isn't cheap! Pretty pointless to throw away money on rent for a place that I can't call mine, so I am super thankful that my parents have been so kind to let us stay there until we can get our own home.

Thank you for your input!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.

Honestly I would see if they would take you on PRN. That will at least give you the option of cutting down hours when you need to and it will give you more flexibility in your scheduling. Having to work 64 hours a week is a lot different from wanting to work 64 hours a week, you know?

I admire your work ethic.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.

For what it's worth, many older nurses worked 7 days per week at 2 facilities at my most recent place of employment. It's what they'd always done.

As for me, 40 hrs was enough but I would work a few overtime shifts a month when we were short. But I would t do it regularly.

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I am 52 years old and 72 hour WEEKS are normal for me. I average 64 hours of overtime on each biweekly check.

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Specializes in Psych.
I am 52 years old and 72 hour WEEKS are normal for me. I average 64 hours of overtime on each biweekly check.

Do you ever have issues with fatigue or feeling rested? I will be doing night shifts at both, and have been doing nights for awhile, so my sleep schedule is irregularly regular if ya know what I mean ;)...but wonder if it catches up to you after awhile?

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