reevaluating my life and career=(

[erin01]

Hi,

I worked on a step down tele floor night for over a year. I just went out on maternity leave to have my second child. My plan was to go back per diem nights! Well i went back the other night and now am re thinking everything. I felt like crap going in i was already tired. While i was off i really felt the toll nights had taken on me, and when i went back felt it all over again. My lo didnt do well either, got a call from hubby with a screaming baby. I had a horrible night, that made me think about quitting. i just started to questioning everything. I hate that floor its really hard and always understaffed and not sure i even like bedside nursing. A lot of my friends have left that floor and went to ccu and the ER. I am not sure what to think right now other than i do not want to go back!!!!!! I feel like my family needs me and its not worth torturing myself to stick with nights. I was thinking about calling my manger and saying i am not able to return at this point but would be able to pick up a dayshift on the weekends if they need me. I feel like maybe i should take some time off, and explore another types of nursing. i feel like am at a cross road. Oh man i am lost and confused.

[anonymurse]

If you don't need the job, quit. If you do, make sure you have another before quitting.

[grasshopper7780]

I would say explore other types of nursing and give yourself some time. This is a very stressful time in your life with a new baby so cut yourself some slack when you first get back. Take a breath and think about what you need to do to make the situation better for you AND you family. Don't make any harsh decisions, you will be okay.

[shoegazer]

going back after maternity leave was really hard for me. It sounds like you are having a similar experience. I have been working part-time on weekends (nights) and that has worked out OK. Not ideal, but I didn't want to stop working completely because eventually I needed to go back to work for financial reasons. That being said I really was ready to move on from the type of floor I work on (step-down). I love spending the week with my son and love not working full time. Now that he is 2 and going to start day care I am getting a new job (hopefully in an ICU). I think it's a really normal feeling to want to be with your family with a new baby. If I didn't need to work any more I know I would have quit. I am glad I waited to change the kind floor I work on because now I feel like I am ready to give a new job my full attention. I was too sleep deprived and in mommy mode to care enough about learning something new while having a new baby at home. Good luck to you and your family!

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Is your income required to support the family?Or does it go toward a higher standard of living?

Stay home with lo if AT all possible,they grow up soooo fast.

I certainly wish I had stayed home,now go do the right thing!

[pielęgniarka, RN]

Is your income required to support the family?Or does it go toward a higher standard of living?

Stay home with lo if AT all possible,they grow up soooo fast.

I certainly wish I had stayed home,now go do the right thing!

Great advice. If your income is requred to support the family then keep your job but start looking elsewhere for more family friendly hours and a field that you might enjoy more. If you work just for a higher standard of living then you might find it helpful to write up a list of pros and cons. Is it worth the mental anguish? My husband and I decided years ago that working ourselves to the bone just to have a huge house and lots of toys was not worth it. We were stressed out and felt like we didn't get good quality time in with the kids. So now, we still work very hard but not full time! It has allowed us much more time with our children. I guess we are lucky that our places of employment allowed us to cut back and keep our jobs. Afterall, working constantly and being stressed shouldn't be what life is about, right? Best wishes to you with your upcoming changes whatever they may be.

[dance4life]

I agree with what everyone else is saying if you can afford it do it, if you have other options do it, etc... etc...

At the time I did.

I took the time off.

Now two years later I don't have a job (well the hospitals won't hire me anymore) and we don't live like we use to. Right now we are struggling to put food on the table and put clothes on our son. Just a food for thought.

[caliotter3]

If you don't need the job, quit. If you do, make sure you have another before quitting.

Same advice here.

[Scarlette Wings]

it almost sounds as if there could be some pp hormonal things going on in your body. the older we get the harder it is physically on the body to have an additional child. then add the fact that night shift is a hard shift to begin with unless you happen to be a "night person" and i never was. i think it is a good thing to listen to what our bodies are trying to tell us and look for a job on a different shift or a different place altogether.

[RNperdiem, RN]

Beware of making big decisions when you are post-partum and likely sleep deprived. I remember what that feels like.

Try picking up a weekend day, but it is a risky thing to give up a job without another lined up.

I hope you feel better soon.

[laughing weasel]

Do not quit without another job. Start looking now. I am guy but I understand that PP is temporary insanity so do not go off half cocked. I advise part time work even if it is 1-2 days a week. This keeps you a continuous work history. It also gives you a break from family as crazy as that sounds.

[Not_A_Hat_Person, RN]

Think hard before quitting your job. I've seen way too many stay-at-home Moms (including mine) become destitute single Moms when Dad decided to bail. Only about 33% of women with child support orders actually get child support.

Income is security. Maybe you can find something part-time or per-diem.