Per diem jobs, are they worth keeping?

[mon00707]

I work at a Behavioral Health Insurance company as a Care Manager and complete phone reviews with hospitals for inpt mental health, detox, D&A rehab, etc monday-friday 8:30-5, no weekend or holidays. On the side I am a staff/charge nurse at the crisis residential unit in my area once a month but at this point i am thinking of quitting because it seems like too much. (This is where I originally started my nursing career). I dont know if its the holiday season but I just stress out having to work a 12-13 hour shift on a Sunday then have to go back to work my full time job. Then have to run kids around etc. I hardly have any down time anymore and feel like I dont spend enough time with my kids and husband or house work. my kids are 9 and 5. I wonder if I should keep one job for now and then maybe when my kids are a little older find a per diem job? I just worry about my clinical skills because where i work full time I dont use them because I do not have patient care.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

You are developing a valuable skill set as a case manager. What clinical skills are so important?

The kids will never be 9 and 5 again

( oh, and screw the housework)

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

I keep my per diem job and this is why. If something happens at the full-time gig, that per diem job can demonstrate continuous employment to a future place. I was terminated from my full-time job many years ago, and the per diem enabled me to put food on the table while looking for something else AND show continuous employment to my future gig.

Something to consider.

[Coldsvt]

I have a per diem gig and also work full time on a rotating schedule

luckily i know my sked 2 months out so i can set up 3 or 4 days a month at my per diem gig...what it boils down to is i end up working 6 days a week because i love my per diem job more than my full time job lol

once a full time position opens i'll prolly go there full time i leave my current full time job. however, like mentioned above having that perdiem job is good should something happen to your full time deal

[annie.rn]

I agree with the continuous employment advice but if you really like your full time gig and don't see it going anywhere I would quit the per diem job in exchange for improved quality of life and time w/ your kids. For the same reasons 'Been there, done that' mentioned.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

I keep my per diem job and this is why. If something happens at the full-time gig, that per diem job can demonstrate continuous employment to a future place. I was terminated from my full-time job many years ago, and the per diem enabled me to put food on the table while looking for something else AND show continuous employment to my future gig.

Something to consider.

IF something happens.

OP has case management experience.That is golden in nursing. She does not need a part-time gig to find another position. OP can easily find another case management job.

Worse case scenario.. find a per diem case management job.