Gratefulprn

Every minute of everyday...I know EXACTLY what you are going through...I have an opportunity to work a PT job, low stress, not so great $ but enough we could get by w/my spouses income until I can some assistance w/the anxiety/depression I have suffered with most of my life and which has gotten 10 times worse in the past year..the thing is I was offered a FT position and my spouse does not understand why I can't just "suck it up" 3 days/week for the $ and tells me it's just I'm not going to like any job I take - WRONG - before some things happened in the past few years, I WAS able to cope, work w/o issue etc. and DID like my job but things changed and those changes have changed me and regardless of what some people think some of us can NOT just exercise/smile/fake it etc. our way out of this "upset" - I DO talk to myself, like you and others on here but that isn't enough. I do have an appt. w/a doctor but Jan. is the earliest he could see me and he is the only one our insurance pays for that is accepting new people. Like you, I went ahead and started this FT position last week. EVERYDAY I have been sick to my stomach, chest hurting, and more. So no, you are not alone and I do not think you should feel obligated to take a position you are not personally or professionally comfortable with. One of the reasons nursing is getting the rep is it is because management does not listen much anymore. I hope you have a good week and are able to change things around.

Depression/anxiety runs in my family including one of my parents (both now deceased) that was a true bipolar...several suicide attempts/hospitalizations UNTIL properly diagnosed and placed on medication which helped a LOT. Most of this took place while I growing up and didn't level off until I was about 13 w/this parent. Keep in mind, as some of you on here will know, medications for depression, etc. weren't readily available in the 1970's and 80's but once a doctor took a REAL look at my parents history, hospitalizations etc. He realized this was more than just situational etc. My other parent suffered from depression later after a debilitating stroke, my grandparents suffered from depression, only one was willing to take meds. for it..no substance abuse issues in my family. Fast forward to now...I have accepted a FT (12 hour shift) position on a psych unit that will cater to adults, mostly over age 50. I have never worked true psych before....when I interviewed I thought my own struggles w/depression/anxiety coupled w/my nursing experience and personal experience in this area would be beneficial in my providing care. Now I'm not so sure..I haven't started yet and already I am WAY anxious over this position...going from PRN (where I'm at now) to FT plus the change and my own current struggles. I have another option which is a part time position in an ALF that is not direct patient care. I NEED to work - we do not live above our means at ALL but having worked PRN and w/hours cut because everyone else needs overtime has got us hurting. I do not have children. The part time position is salaried. It's not my "dream" job but it's $ and would give me some breathing room. The psych job would be something new, FT and I should be happy about it - I AM grateful - but I don't want my personal past - which was VERY difficult though I had GREAT parents - to crop back up and make me ineffective at helping someone else - it's tough being a psych patient but it's tough being a family member of someone in a psych facility too... Thank you in advance for your opinion.

You are the one who has to get up and go to the job...not your husband or anyone else. If your desire to return to bedside nursing is so strong then you should go back - bedside nursing - like management - will always be there in some form or another so if you find you don't like being back at the bedside you can look for something else - your degree plus experience will almost certainly insure something. Also, if you are wanting to become a NP bedside nursing WOULD benefit you much more than management given NP are usually hands on so you would need the updated/refreshed experience I would think.

Ever took a position base on money or distance etc. knowing it was a mistake but did it anyway? If so, what happened?

Interviewed 2 weeks ago for a position that would work well for me given where I am at physically, emotionally and financially in life right now.....interview went fairly well though it was short. Also strange I knew one of the panel nurses having worked w/him a few years back..what was strange is he told the other interviewers I was mistaken that he and I had worked together in the past (when he introduced himself I said "we've met, we worked together for 3 yrs at ***** clinic. He said nothing...I thought..ok...) Anyway..was told I would hear something either way by the 7th. The 7th came and went no word. I planned to call this week to check on the status. Still thinking it was strange this former coworker acted as though he had never met me - we worked everyday almost together at this clinic. Neither of us have changed to any major degree. So, I have never sent a "thank you" note for an interview - ever. After reading many posts on here it seems this is now the norm so I did -the day after the interview. Fast forward to this a.m. I receive an email from one of the nurses in the interview (the panel had 5 people on it) - she states I will not be offered the position as they felt I was "too anxious" for the position because I mentioned knowing someone on the panel who tells them he did not work where I knew him from but he DID but mostly because I sent a thank you note to the hiring director on the panel and they all thought it was "too aggressive." ALL the note said was I appreciated his time as well as the others and looked forward to hearing from him one a decision was made. THAT WAS IT. All I can think of is the former coworker has an issue w/me - though I can't imagine what because we worked together well, never had a problem..but after this I will never send another thank you note for an interview again. Though it may have worked for some of you, for me, it most definitely did not.

Thank you to all who replied. You have no idea how much ALL of your comments and suggestions have helped...I sincerely mean that.

I was offered a position w/Davita sometime back. I declined it because of the required travel - both in and out of state - as well as being told there is a Davitease (?) language that is spoken and team mates work 10-14 hours/day every day they work. To me that signaled not enough nurses/techs for the patients. I don't mind working hard or over on occasion but it seems the mind set is Davita first, your life second...um..no.

I was offered a position with Davita last year...It was GREAT money but I was shocked when I was told the days are an "average" of 10-12 hours and that traveling to meetings within state and out of state was required. Though the clinic was nice and the people were and they seemed to be taking good care of the patients I realized though the wage is high, so is the cost to your personal life and time off.

Is anyone happier/less stressed at work then at home? I know this may sound "crazy" to many of you but I find being at work - though busy is actually a break from being home and I find myself less...depressed/anxious/irritable. We live in a rural area and it's peaceful but that can also be isolating. Most of my family is deceased, the sisters I do have live over 1000 miles away and I have no friends because where we live there isn't a social "scene" other than a few bars and that does not interest me. I live too far (50 miles) from work to make plans on my off days with others. Maybe for me it's because I am home a LOT and working provides a break from that routine. It's hard to explain and it's not that I have a terrible spouse, I don't and we have no children so it's not that I need a break from child care...we have financial stress because the only position for me now is PRN but I'm interviewing for a second job this week so maybe that will change and the financial pressure will ease up some. I was just curious if I were the only nurse who felt better about herself (or his self) at work then at home.

It's for one of the medical floors...it seems the majority of what's available is 4 hr shifts which are to cover the gap between shift changes. There are about 5 available for the next schedule. I thought for sure there would be a lot more PRN need but it seems like it's not as big as I thought and I am concerned about getting enough time. There is nothing else open now but PRN.

Already had it before I took and passed the boards. It seems it's not that seamless for new grads now.

First, I would suggest seeing someone re: the depression...that alone can color your perception of yourself and your life and effect your ability to think clearly, etc. Make sure there is nothing going on physically with you - hormones, etc. as well. Depression can come from many sources and therapy to medication or both can help. As far as what else to do...you don't say where you work...there are hospitals hiring nurses for non-nursing type jobs or those that are M-F, there are also nursing agencies you could look into..travel maybe or take assignments that are local, home health, community health, LTC. With nursing degrees we have a lot of flavors with in the profession but are limited outside of it I know. Insurance companies look for nurses as well. But first, take care of yourself and see a NP or doctor that can help you sort out the way you are feeling first. Good luck.

Tish88...I sent you a PM.

Anyone work PRN at Gwinnett Medical? If so, do you usually get enough hours a schedule or is it a few here and there? I know it's an excellent hospital to work at but it's too far for me to drive 5 days/week but I've seen they are hiring some PRN's and I love the fact they work 8 hr shifts as well as 12s:yeah:

I have been considering a position in a small dialysis clinic but have been hesitant for several reasons..this news makes things even more difficult...if the good nurses leave how will things change? who will fend for these patients and yet, how can the good nurses stay when their health and professional careers are jeopardized? Other than this position, my only other option right now is a PRN hospital job that I don't think can work me enough to cover basics. I have no idea what to do. But this healthcare system of ours is definitely broken.