questional career change

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Just wanted an opinion, I had been working in a hospital med surg and pcu setting for 2 years now. i have changed hospitals in the area once due to a tremendous pay increase. I do not need benefits so i was workin prn 2-3 12 hr shifts per week. I have two young children and thought the office setting would be great. I got a job in one with a $10 per hour pay cut and am now working 5 days 8-5:30 and my kids are now in full time day care. I have been at the office for 1 week now and feel I have made a huge mistake. I miss the days off with my kids. I used to feel that getting home at 8pm was crazy but I only did it 2-3 times a week. Now I get home aroung 6 and feel like whats two more hours if I get the extra days off. Am I really crazy for wanting to return ot the hospital after only one week?

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I know exactly what you mean... I went from weekend program on Peds, work 2 -12 hour shifts, off 5 days, to full time school nurse. it seemed like such a good idea at the time, but big pay cut, (great benefits though!) and I really miss having that time off!

Every day I wonder if I should change back!

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Is anything going to change if you stay at the present job? (The complaints you have do not seem to be temporary issues).

It would be a different thing if you took the job change because you thought you wanted to do what you are now doing, or if you had changed because it would help your skills.

If things are not going to change, why should you stay? You are working more hours at less pay, and your children are now in full-time day care.

No, you are not crazy. You did not ask for advice, but if I were you, I'd see if I could go back to the PRN pool, and -- assuming that answer was positive -- I'd have a frank talk with the current employer. Explain what you have said here, and offer to work out your notice (perhaps two weeks). I suspect they will offer to let you leave without working the notice, but give them the option.

And good luck. Trust your instinct. There's nothing written in stone that says you should stay at a job that's not working. You tried something different, and that's cool. It wasn't a mistake, but it might be a mistake to stay with the new job any longer than you have to.

Jim Huffman, RN

http://www.NetworkforNurses.com

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Specializes in Hospice.

Awesome advice James Huffman!

That was great advice and is applicable to many life situations!

Cheryl

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

Good advice James.

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