Should I quit my 2nd job? How many work 2 jobs here?

[CampNurse10]

Hi

I was wondering how many people work 2 jobs. I am a school nurse but held onto my per diem hospital job and am thinking of quitting and letting go of hospital nursing for good. I worked so many years in the hospital setting and have been hesitant to let it go. It is good extra money, but not totally necessary. The reason I kept it was more to "keep up my skills" and also it was tough for me to say goodbye. The per diem obligation is 2 weekend shifts per month, which doesn't sound like a lot, but I work 40 hours a week at the school, so basically I'm working Mon-Sat 2 weeks a month, and it screws up my 3 day weekends/holiday time. I don't see myself leaving school nursing anytime soon, unless I get my masters degree and move onto something else... and if I do that I probably won't go back to school for at least another 3-4 years. As a nurse, the school schedule is the best there is so I don't see myself going anywhere anytime soon. What are others thoughts on this? Do you have a 2nd job you are hesitant to give up? I am not sure what I should do! I want to quit so bad but at the same time I feel like if I quit, that part of nursing will be over for me forever and I'm sad to let it go!

[sippee]

I can totally relate. I worked at a hospital for 17 years and was getting burned out. I took a job in the school last year but stayed PRN at the hospital in case I hated it. Needless to say, I don't hate it but... I don't love it either. I find that I love the school schedule but miss the hospital work. I too work every other weekend because I don't want to close the door to that opportunity yet. Good luck to you.

do you have school aged children? is it worth it for you to stay? That's my biggest reason. I would give it more time ( although i have and it hasn't gotten much better) stay per diem until you are sure.

[crazynursebsn]

I used to pull massive amounts of overtime, and I was employed at 3 different hospitals at one time. At that particular point in my life, I felt that I really needed the money. However, now that my spouse is out of school and bringing home a very nice salary, I have cut back to just 84 hours every 2 weeks. I am so much happier, healthier, and rested now that I have done that. I would say if you don't need the extra income, to let the part-time job go and enjoy life, family, and friends.

I totally agree!

[SnowyJ, RN]

I am seriously thinking of looking for a 2nd job, per diem. I just hate the idea of having to work holidays again. I did that for over 27 years! What's good? Saw an ad for corrections nursing...Maybe an agency? I just don't know.

I love my job but the pay is so crappy, and the summer off with no paycheck is killing me!

[kidzcare]

I have worked 2 jobs since getting into school nursing. It just doesn't pay enough to only work one. So I work every other weekend at a local rehab place. And I'm required some holidays there too. I can pick up extra hours on breaks from the school, which is nice, but the schedule during the school year sucks. I work M-F at the school, Sat and Sun at the rehab place, and then M-f at the school again. So 12 days on before I get 2 days off. It's exhausting.

[Farawyn]

I am seriously thinking of looking for a 2nd job, per diem. I just hate the idea of having to work holidays again. I did that for over 27 years! What's good? Saw an ad for corrections nursing...Maybe an agency? I just don't know.

I love my job but the pay is so crappy, and the summer off with no paycheck is killing me!

Hey, I am doing HH. Still on Orientation, but hoping to make it work. I feel ya. I'm broke.

[SnowyJ, RN]

Broke here too! The best part of my job is summers off, but it's also the worst part because no $!!

[Farawyn]

Broke here too! The best part of my job is summers off, but it's also the worst part because no $!!

I miss hospital money. It's such a trade off.

[ohiobobcat]

I picked up a job at a summer camp this summer. It more than made up the difference in $$ from leaving the hospital and working at the school. Plus I got to live in a beautiful cabin on the lake all summer with my kids, AND I did't have to cook 6 days out of the week!!

I get paid year round at my school nurse position- I am on a teacher's contract and we have the option of taking a lump sum for the summer months or getting paid year-round. I wouldn't work here if I didn't get paid year round.