Please help with MAJOR decision

vamedic4, EMT-P · Mar 24, 2008

Not having been an L/D nurse I can't speak for that, but as for the position "change" to a new facility..that I can address. It all boils down to how much better you feel your quality of life will be.

If money is a concern, is the new position going to pay you enough to offset the potential high stress environment and significantly more work that you don't now have?

I understand the whole nights/days thing. Is it going to be worth it to change to days? What, if any, differential income will you lose? If you are looking to work "days" and feel that a potential pay cut is worth it for a "normal" schedule then this isn't an issue.

As I said, it's all about what you are willing to live with. If the new position is significantly more money and a better schedule and those two things are important to you - then give it some serious thought.

I'm certain others will have some words of wisdom too - best of luck in your decision.

vamedic4

presuppose · Mar 24, 2008

2.5 times more and higher acuity? How much energy do you have? Do you want more stress? Even though you might get the day shifts you want, you are going to get a LOT more stress. More money maybe, but is the stress worth it? To me, that is the question.

MaryAnn_RN · Mar 24, 2008

Hi everyone . . . I am a labor and delivery nurse, and have been doing this for close to 2 years now. I was hired by only 1 hospital when I graduated because I only wanted to do L&D, and nobody else was hiring new grads except for the community hospital I presently work for.
I was hired for nights, and have ALWAYS expressed an interest to go to days if and when something became available, but have been passed over twice now for various reasons. I have been through hell and back there, mostly because of the new career decision later on in life, and learning something COMPLETELY foreign to me, and I finally feel SOMEWHAT comfortable in my skin. Anyway, enough of the history, let me get to the point.
I have been offered a DAY position at another hospital that does 2.5X more the amount of deliveries that where I am working now, and the accuity level is off the charts. Mag sulfate is routine, twin, triplets very common, cardiac patients, you name it, that's where these patients are sent. My question is this:
What would you do? YES, the money IS more at the busier hospital, but IS IT WORTH IT? I would like opinions from both sides, those from the smaller hospitals, those from the busier hospitals. I am 40 years old, so I am not as young as a lot of the girls there, should I stay or should I go?
THANKS SO MUCH GUYS!

What do you see yourself doing in 5 years from now? Would you be fulfilled professionally if you stay where you are? There might be more scope for advancement in the new job, and you would be able to do days which is what you want.

How about doing a 'For' and 'Against' list? That might help you to clarify matters.

Personally I would go for the job with the least stress. It might be more stressful to stay where you are if you are not getting what you want out of the job. Do you feel ready for new challenges?

allnurses Guide · Mar 24, 2008

2.5 times more and higher acuity? How much energy do you have? Do you want more stress? Even though you might get the day shifts you want, you are going to get a LOT more stress. More money maybe, but is the stress worth it? To me, that is the question.

Good points - It would not be worth it for me.

I wish the op success in her decision.

steph

bagladyrn, RN · Mar 24, 2008

Hi everyone . . . I am a labor and delivery nurse, and have been doing this for close to 2 years now. I was hired by only 1 hospital when I graduated because I only wanted to do L&D, and nobody else was hiring new grads except for the community hospital I presently work for.
I was hired for nights, and have ALWAYS expressed an interest to go to days if and when something became available, but have been passed over twice now for various reasons. I have been through hell and back there, mostly because of the new career decision later on in life, and learning something COMPLETELY foreign to me, and I finally feel SOMEWHAT comfortable in my skin. Anyway, enough of the history, let me get to the point.
I have been offered a DAY position at another hospital that does 2.5X more the amount of deliveries that where I am working now, and the accuity level is off the charts. Mag sulfate is routine, twin, triplets very common, cardiac patients, you name it, that's where these patients are sent. My question is this:
What would you do? YES, the money IS more at the busier hospital, but IS IT WORTH IT? I would like opinions from both sides, those from the smaller hospitals, those from the busier hospitals. I am 40 years old, so I am not as young as a lot of the girls there, should I stay or should I go?
THANKS SO MUCH GUYS!

A good thing to consider here are your interests - are you looking for a challenge? Do you enjoy the more difficult patients and working with higher acuity - the "adrenaline factor"? Is your ultimate goal to be in a more advanced position? Do you have the time and motivation to do extra studying and seminars/research on caring for patients with all these conditions? Since you don't have previous med/surg background, patients with comorbidities will require extra learning. If this describes you you may enjoy this type of unit as well as having the shift you want.

The drawbacks can be the higher stress level if you aren't looking for that, as well as having less time with individual patients in a busier, higher acuity setting. It can also be a lot harder on you physically as you spend more time running between a greater number of patients.

I work as a traveler and work both types of settings - I went from a 600+ bed facility to a 24 bed facility in my last move. Personally I have come to prefer the smaller units where I have more one-on-one time with my patients. Actually I've found that those units have their own set of challenges as you are dealing with sometimes high risk patients in a setting without all the resources until they can be transferred (or if they can't).

As an alternative, have you considered speaking to your manager and asking about a written contract stating that you can have first priority for the next available dayshift position? Worth a try at negotiating.

santhony44, MSN, RN, NP · Mar 25, 2008

2.5 times more and higher acuity? How much energy do you have? Do you want more stress? Even though you might get the day shifts you want, you are going to get a LOT more stress. More money maybe, but is the stress worth it? To me, that is the question.

I agree. If you're bored in your present position and want a challenge, that's one thing. I think, however, you said that you were just beginning to have some level of comfort where you are. If I were in your place, I'd stay put for now.

More money is always tempting, but sometimes it's not the most important thing. Additionally, if night shift is workable for you - not ideal, but workable- I wouldn't change on those grounds, either. You never know when a day shift position with your name on it will come open.

My :twocents: , anyway!!

PegRNBSN · Mar 25, 2008

Can you shadow for a day or two at the new hospital.

We are currently experiencing a HUGE shortage of RNs as our volumes are increasing at a rapid pace. We have lost three nurses during orientation because of the acuity and volumes. We do 300 deliveries a month, have a high risk antepartum unit and get really sick moms, multiples, and other medical complications all the time. It is like working in an ICU along with the stress of L&D. Like several other posters said if you are an adrenaline junky this is for you. Many of the nurses said they didn't get enough low risk patients.

If you are happy at the PLACE you are at, maybe wait for that day opening. It is especially hard on a unit like ours when you are developing your confidence

Best of Luck

justme1972 · Mar 25, 2008

I'm a student, so I can't speak as to the "hospital" aspect of it.

However, as an older student nearing 40, and just from working other jobs, one thing has always appealed to me: The day goes by much faster when you are busy vs when you are not (as busy). So for that reason, the busier hospital would have a great appeal to me.

I would ask what the patient ratio is...that is a very important consideration.

It would be an amazing experience for you.

nurturing_angel · Mar 25, 2008

I work nights also in a very small community hospital doing approx 40 deliveries a month. I have been offered a position that would require a move to a busier hospital and the money would be phenomenal. However, I decided to stay put where I am.

My reasons:

This hospital is extremely close to home so no commute needed.

I love my manager and my co-workers

I am getting older (52) and no longer desire the adrenalin rushes younger nurses want. I rather enjoy the quiet, peaceful nights with few or no deliveries but all the mother/baby care I want. I still get a few adrenalin rushes now and then....all OB nurses do. That is more than I crave. LOL!

Day shift does not tempt me anymore. Neither does higher wages. I am in a comfort zone right where I am and I plan to dig in and stay put all the way to retirement. :yeah:

:saint:

cinthern · Mar 25, 2008

Thanks for all who responded. I am siding on staying put because I know there really is no IDEAL job, and what I have now is not that bad, it's tolerable, so why jeopardize that "safety net" for a few more dollars and a day shift position.

I have another job interview on Thursday for a hospital similar to the one I am at now, so maybe this will be the deciding factor! I'll let you all know.

Cindy

nursefromquebec · Mar 26, 2008

I am soooo with you on this....I'm trying to decide too

this is so hard!!