Itsourchoices

Thank you emajean! You're very right in saying that one can become resentful. I had a pretty decent day the last shift I worked, because I actually seemed to be appreciated. I will miss my coworkers when I leave, but I do need to follow my dreams. I applied for an educational role to work with the community in hopes this can lead me down the right path. I also will be volunteering in the area of my passion if I pass the interview. I'm very excited for these opportunities. I still am employed at my original position, because it's always hard to leave, but I feel confident in cutting ties when my chosen path becomes clear. Thank you for the confidence boost :)

I agree with RNinIN. She obviously has an expectation of where she wants you to be in your training, but isn't wording it properly. If she never hires new grads, then she really doesn't understand where you should be in training vs her other hires. It's unfair to hire you, then be upset with you if she hasn't established goals with you. Ask to sit down with her, tell her you are doing your best and feel that you have grown immensely... Then you ask for a detailed, individualized plan of your training. Tell her you would be happy to meet with her to discuss your progress as you continue the program. Show her that you meet her expectations and try to exceed in some areas. It's more than okay to need extra help in certain areas, and she should allow extra attention in those areas. Show her how hard you work, and if it still doesn't seem good enough, if she won't work with you, that's when you decide if they deserve your time. You both are putting valuable time, resources and energy into this program, it's only fair that you both receive what you put into it. :) Good luck!

The position I was leaning toward is actually a part time, two day a week night shift. I currently work one day a week, casual day shift. A huge dilemma is that my husband enjoys picking up overtime, even with his crazy hours. He makes double what I make during these days, so it's crazy for him not to. However, I worry about that added stress on his body and finding a sitter to come in early morning hours\overnight if we both work. Daycares here are not open when we would need and hiring a babysitter would eat 1\2 if not more of my paycheck. So much money! We just have to figure something out and cross our fingers that it will work. Thank you for your comment!

Thank you HouTx, I thought of discussing this with my manager; I just worried that she would see me as someone who doesn't care for the position enough, and would approve others requested shifts over mine, but that's just silly. Although we have requirements for shifts per month, she allows some nurses to pick up one shift every couple months. We all have our hearts set on something and she has been great so far with them. I think I will bring my wishes to her attention, as well as someone in HR I've worked with as a student. Great suggestion. Do you have any advice on how I can approach this with as much respect as possible, but with confidence so I'm heard? You are very right about my husband's stress and getting him comfortable. I advised him to speak with his physician about how he's feeling; I worry about depression from our discussions together about life and goals. Hopefully, we can come to a solution we can both be happy with.

Thank you for your insight. It is very helpful. :) I agree completely with 50\50 as well.

An added question: why is being adult so hard? Ha-ha. In all seriousness, how do you make life changing choices? My husband hates his job. A change in his health caused him to leave his dream job. He now makes a good living but I believe he is bored, plus he works swing shift. 12 hr shifts, night and day every week. It's hard on him. We always said that I would stay home with the babies until they went to school, and I would return to the workforce full-time at that point. My own dream. But how can I have mine when he can't? I'm trying to do what's best for the whole family. I don't want to have regrets, life is to short for that. I can sacrifice my home time now and work towards my end goal, and let my husband ease up on his responsibilities. I can chug away as we are now, because I only suffer from my job about 6x a month, and keep at it for 3+ years, but he's still unhappy. I so worry I will screw things up. My husband says do what makes me happy, but I don't think it's fair for him. I know I want to be home as much as I can now. I know I would regret it if I don't. Hence why I feel a part time job may be a good compromise. Maybe. Maybe for a year. Work towards my IBCLC. But if I were to quit from the hospital, am I screwing myself when I want to return in another role in a few years? Would they even want me as a lactation consultant without OB experience, will the clinic be enough since it's not a RN role? Should I keep my casual job anyway, it's a rough commitment they require. Thank you to all those who have left kind words of wisdom!

Thank you crunch. That's the best way to look at it. I guess it never hurts to apply and really understand my options, and make a decision from there.í ½í¸Š A worry of mine is to be given an offer, reject it now and that will make me look bad later if I were to decide it's where I want to be down the road....like I didn't want it bad enough.

I understand what you are saying, and meant no harsh words with my response so I apologize if that's how you saw it. What I am saying is, if you know you won't specialize immediately then there is no issue. You will have whatever experience prior to moving and can fall back on that, hopefully. An RN specialty isn't the same as say a physician. They may become specialized in oncology and that's what they do. As a nurse, you can get a specialty certification, but you are not limited to that. You can go anywhere. It will be hard if you've only ever done OB to be accepted elsewhere, but you can always try to get a medsurg job after moving and make your way back to OB again. Does that help?

Slinky is right. That's great that you know where you want to be! However, you may not be lucky enough to start in OB. Many nurses love the specialty fields, and some with many years of experience will have trouble landing the job. Will you be okay with working anywhere else until you can get there? You may just solve your own problem . Always keep good references; you may have trouble going from one specialty to another, but with great people to vouch for you, it will be a little easier.

Definitely agree in looking at pros and cons with staffing and orientation at both hospitals. A great orientation and personal drive is key to success. It sounds like you really want B, because A sounds like the obvious winner. Would it sadden you to work at A for a few years and reevaluate your goals then?

Thank you for your reply. It is part time, luckily, although I don't know the particular working hours yet. I would be making less than half per hour than I do now, but no pain, no gain right?

Thank you for taking the time to respond. I really appreciate your opinion! :)

I never understood how age could be such a struggle in my career. I am in my late 20's and am often mistaken for a teenager. I've had the side eye thrown my way by both patients and their families. I was turned away by a patient when I tried to help him to the bathroom; apparently I didn't know being female and looking like I was 17 meant I didn't know how to help. Nope, 2.5 years on the floor as a nurse and 2 as a tech by this point did NOT teach me that skill. Lol. I don't like the comment of age being a factor. Sure, new nurses won't feel as confident, or have the background managers may want. Fine. BUT your skills as a nurse are not affected by your "look". I'd say peace out if that was how my interview was going. Good luck! :)

Hey all, Looking for some advice, what would you recommend, etc. I'll try to make this as short and to the point as possible. I've been a nurse for 3 years now, RN, BSN, all employed in SICU. We get pulled to all floors with the exception of OB, if needed; mostly hours are in Neuro ICU, Surgical ICU, Medical ICU and PCU. I've had the opportunity to be a part of many amazing moments. I love the gtts, and discharging a post-op complex open heart patient after caring for them from immediate end surgery weeks prior...and then came the but. Although I like being a part of this level of care, I don't love it anymore. It gave me tough skin and so much knowledge that I will forever be thankful for. I also have some amazing, supportive coworkers. However, there are some huge negatives. I need your help with the grass isn't always greener disease I'm fighting. The one place we don't float to and the only other unit we don't have at my hospital are where I've always wanted to be. Nice. I got into nursing due to my grandmother and a passion for oncology (I worked as an aide there for 2 years). Nursing school showed me the Neonatal ICU and I fell in love. I shadowed in OB and my heart strings were tugged. I had my son and I just knew....I want to be with him, and when I can't, I better be where my passion is because that is the only thing worth leaving him for hours at a time for. I researched and exhausted myself with what now's. I found that I would fit so well in mother\baby. Problem: no units within a 40 mile radius. Closest is so hard to get into and an hour drive on the freeway. Can't relocate due to husband's job. Note: I now work casual, once a week around his schedule. So, Do I suck it up at the job I only tolerate, that is becoming so toxic, I loathe going to? Should I apply to my OB unit that has a few openings, both part time and casual, to get closer to my dream? (This will be a 50 min drive bc it's at our other location; my hospital is 10 min away with no openings). I live in a harsh climate, and worry about winters. Or...there is an opening at a nearby health clinic in breastfeeding. Doesn't pay much, but I can work towards my IBCLC; another career I've always wanted and would look great on future resume. The NICU nearby only has openings twice a year, at most. Biggest complication is that I do not want to work full time for a few years. Had a long discussion with my husband, and we agreed this is what's best with what we are working with. I can manage full time for orientation, but not longer. Sorry I bored you. Thoughts? Thank you!