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Discussion

Return to work advice

I’ve been a nurse for 7 years. My background is in NICU. I worked for several years on the unit and then took some time off when my son was born due to being burned out. During that time I went back and got my MSN. For the last year I started my own small business as a health coach teaching new moms how to practice self-care. I really enjoy my small business especially because I get to be home with my kids. Recently, my husbands job has not been as stable, so we need me to return to work. I have a full-time offer at a NICU with great pay and benefits. I also have a per diem offer at a college as a clinical instructor, but this job has no health benefits. We currently do not have any benefits because my husband’s job does not offer them. I’m so nervous about what job to take. One of them has more guaranteed hours and great benefits. The other one offers me more time to be home with my kids but less stability and no benefits. Ultimately, I really want to grow my business and I’m just trying to figure out how to balance it all. I left nursing due to burn out and missing my kids so I’m nervous about going back. Any advice would be helpful! 

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    1 hour ago, Alararn89 said:

    my son was born due to being burned out.  

    With all due respect, some work on syntax is in order.

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    From what people have told me in the past, the extra hours you'd end up doing as a clinical instructor would make the lack of benefits even more galling...

    Quite honestly, it sounds like you're looking for stability, benefits, decent pay and lots of free time to spend with your kids. I don't think that job exists.

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    Faculty who can facilitate students' experiences  in Labor and Delivery are in high demand where I live. Are you limited to NICU or can you tweak your resume to include L & D? Your experience can be a BIG asset...with the right school. 

    4 hours ago, Jedrnurse said:

    Quite honestly, it sounds like you're looking for stability, benefits, decent pay and lots of free time to spend with your kids. I don't think that job exists.

    It is going to be a trade off....If you get a position at a community college, your first year will be hell, getting all your lectures together, designing power points (that aren't from the book publisher,)  writing test questions, etc, but, believe me it will get better EVERY semester. 

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    You are the only one who can make this decision. I realize that time with the kids is precious.  However, benefits are so necessary. What if any one of you get really ill? I am being treated for cancer. So far.. the bill is $75,000. So thankful for my insurance.  I owe $500.

    I learned a lot from my financial advisor. It was all free advice. Find one that can help you through this.

    Best wishes.

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    Wonder if any maternal-infant-early childhood programs around you need help? Or if that role is even feasible as far as meeting your needs. I have no experience with that. It's just that hospitals have continued to go downhill since your last experience with them (not trying to poison you against them if that happens to be where you need to go). And you have experience to help you navigate.

    Good luck ~

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    I think that going without benefits, especially with kids at home, is just too risky. I understand wanting to be home with kids and missing out on things. I never really balanced things well in that respect and I look back with some regret on things that I missed. However, as my kids get older, they understand that I was doing what had to be done for the best interest of our family. None of them remember times that I missed, they remember the quality times we had together when I was at home. Yes, the hospital environment might not be ideal right now, but I think it would be in your best interest to have a position with benefits. If you really can't stand it over time maybe you and your husband can figure something out. Good luck with your decision. 

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    Would you be interested in school nursing? From what I've seen it doesn't pay as well as the hospital but usually has benefits, and same schedule as your kids. Just a thought!

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    Health Departments would be interested in your experience as well. 

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