AriRN33

Hi all. I am currently in the process of looking for a new job. I have been at my current position for 7.5 years and over the past few years it has become a very toxic work environment with a manager that is just as toxic and doesn't seem to care. I am absolutely miserable here and looking for a a way out. I currently have 2 job offers on the table (sort of) and don't know which way to go. My first offer was a NICU position. It's night shift (I already work nights so that's not a problem). I would have a set schedule, making about $8 more an hour, benefits are OK, and the manager seems like a pretty nice guy. Only complaint is having to find someone to cover your shifts if you want to take vacation. My other offer is at a pediatric clinic. M-F 8-5/6, hour long lunch, 1 Saturday every 4-6 weeks and 1-2 Eve holidays a year. Pay is about the same as what I make now, great benefits, easier to take off if needed, and the manager seems OK. I was offered the NICU position first, but honestly speaking, I ended up turning it down because I got cold feet and talked myself out of it. The manager was very understanding and even told me to let them know if I changed my mind because they really wanted me. I received an offer for the clinic shortly afterwards, but have not given a decision yet. Honestly, my mind keeps going back to the NICU position, but I'm afraid to make the move. I feel like I've been in my current situation for so long and burned so many times at work that I'm afraid of going anywhere else. The clinic position is ideal for greater work/life balance. It would be great working a more normal schedule, being home at night, no holidays or weekends, but then a part of me still kind of wants to continue in the hospital. I am so confused and feel like I'm just going in circles. I know I want out of my current job, but I just don't know what to do. I even considered doing travel nursing for I a little while until I figure myself out. Any advice?

Hi all. Just needed to vent and wanted to get some opinions on my current work situation. I currently work as a nursery nurse on a busy LDRPN. We recently had a new pediatrician take over newborn care and is wanting to bring about several changes. I’ve worked on this unit for 5.5 years and we have always been a Level 1 nursery. We would keep infants 35 weeks or greater, ones that require O2 for less than 48 hrs, require IV fluids/abx as long as they were stable. Any baby that was unstable, not improving, or preemies would be transferred to NICU. The new pediatrician is now wanting us to keep 33/34 weekers, babies requiring CPAP for 3-5 days (or more in some cases), feeder/growers (even some requiring tube feedings), as well as our well babies. We do not have a NICU at our hospital and the nearest one is 45 minutes away. Several nurses have voiced concerns about this. We are generally staffed with 2 nursery nurses for each shift, but we also attend deliveries, transition babies and care for our babies from birth to discharge. We take up to 6 babies each and at times that can include a “sick” baby. We are now going to be taking care of readmitted bili babies as well (on top of everything else that we do). Not all of our nurses have been trained to properly take care of babies like this. Our manager and CNO seem to think that this is perfectly ok and don’t see where there could be a huge safety issue with this. There are times where we are drowning in the nursery (especially lately) and it feels almost impossible to give proper care to everyone. From going to delivery after delivery, trying to help new moms, and take care of sick babies all at the same time. Our L&D nurses don’t catch babies and it is an act of Congress to get them to do couplet care or just come in the nursery while you see your well babies if they are not busy. Our manager says she is thinking of hiring an additional nurse for each shift, but it will be a couple of months before she is able to do that. I’m seriously thinking about looking for a new job if things continue like they are. Thoughts? (Thanks for letting me vent)