pre nursing job advice

[studentnurse3]

I have a dilema, I am currently working at home doing medical transcription and I am also a pre nursing student taking care of my prereqs slowly but surely. My dilema is that I applied for a nursing unit secretary at the local hospital. Today I got offered the job which would be three nights a week from 7 pm to 7:30 a.m. This department has self scheduling so I will pretty much be able to pick the nights I want to work other than working every third weekend. Am I crazy for wanting to take a job right now outside of the home? I have three kids ages 10, 6 and 3 and that is why I have been doing medical transcription at home for eight years now. I am truly burned out on the transcription so that is why I was seeking another type of job until I get through school. I can't wait to become an RN but in the meantime I don't know if I should make this move to the hospital or stay put. Some of the benefits of taking the job at the hospital would be 1. tuition reimbursement, 2. no line counts to be met, 3. only three days a week, 4. close interaction with nurses which could benefit me in my future career and with schooling. The bad points would be 1. The hours, when would I sleep? 2. Unsure how it will affect my sleep habits and in turn how that will affect my schooling. 3. When will I go to school.

I don't know if there is anyone out there who works with a unit secretary or is/was a unit secretary and can offer any advice/input. I just don't know what to do. I am looking for any kind of advice anybody might have so I can make some kind of decision.

I really appreciate everybody's input!!!

[RMA2RN]

I have never worked in a hospital as a unit secretary, and I do not have any children. I believe that if you need tution assistance to help with school that would be a good idea, but you should also think about college whether or not you college has evening programs or day programs for when you do get into nursing school. You made a good point though about working around nurses at the hospital. If you are concerned about not being there for your children then maybe you should stay at home, but why keep doing a job you no longer enjoy. I also have never worked nights, but it really depends on if your willing to make some sacrifices or changes to reach your goals. Hope that helps a little. Goodluck with your decision.

[studentnurse3]

I have never worked in a hospital as a unit secretary, and I do not have any children. I believe that if you need tution assistance to help with school that would be a good idea, but you should also think about college whether or not you college has evening programs or day programs for when you do get into nursing school. You made a good point though about working around nurses at the hospital. If you are concerned about not being there for your children then maybe you should stay at home, but why keep doing a job you no longer enjoy. I also have never worked nights, but it really depends on if your willing to make some sacrifices or changes to reach your goals. Hope that helps a little. Goodluck with your decision.

Thanks for your advice. The schools here only offer the nursing program during the day, typically 8-3:30 or 4:00 so that is one other reason I am having a hard time deciding. But with the self scheduling at this possible new job, I could always not schedule myself to work during the week and just work the weekends. I guess like you said, how willing am I to make a sacrifice to reach my goal.

I'm also worried that if I accept this unit secretary position that I will not like it and so I would go from one job I am burned out on (MT) but can deal with, to a job that I don't like at all. I guess I really need to figure it out and make a decision one way or the other!

Thanks for your input!