winter13

I'd check into what cobra will cost for an individual...it might not be as bad as you may think, since you're single and only covering yourself. If it was doable I'd go PD and see what you like.

Do you have a nicu where you currently work? If so ask your manager if you can crosstrain to nicu. State that you have an interest and would like to be able to expand your expertise. If your hospital doesn't have a nicu, consider changing to a LD unit in a hospital that does, with the stipulation that you will crosstrain to nicu. I've gotten the majority of my skills starting off in one job and being open to crosstraining/floating to another unit. good luck!

With the down turn in the economy healthcare is affected as well. People who lose their health insurance will put off scheduling elective testing and procedures thus lowering the census and affecting staffing lvels.

How's your hospital/city/ state doing? Are you seeing layoffs, cutbacks, being sent home early either unpaid or by using your vacation pay? I'm in the northeast and some of the hospital near me including the one I work at are starting to send peopel home when the census is low and are having hiring freezes.

I currently work as a hospital based RN lactation consultant. Prior to that I had work for about 15 yrs as a nicu nurse. I work pt 24 hrs in my current position, but have been getting my hours cut back due to low census. I was recruited by a MD I used to work with for a per diem position in a level 2 nicu w/reg nsy. They also have a fullltime psotion posted. The FT position is 3 12's with a small amount of rotation (they have a stable night staff, so mostly cover vacations). The pay is equal to what I make now, and the beneifts would be the same but cost less as I would be ft vs. pt. My current job is 8-4 with 2 weekends ever 6 weeks...so more regular hours. But with the economy tanking I can't help but wonder if being in a stable staff RN position might be the way to go. Anyone have any input... I did the pros/cons and got 14 pro to 7 cons for taking the nicu position (and they were mostly about off shift/weekend/holidays commitments) I have 3 kids all in middleschool/hs so daycare isn't a issue ...but needing $$ for college will be soon...