I've been a PCU RN for over a year now...made it through the whole year of craziness, tears, miserable low points and some amazing highs. My residency contract is up as of today...so I'm free from the bounds and can go anywhere now...I just don't know where to go. My heart is pulling me in one thousand different directions but how do I know which one is right for me and my family?
A little back story...I've been lucky enough that I have been on day shift this whole year...still don't know if 12's or 8's are right for me...as I'm getting pretty burnt out on 12's...but maybe that's just my crazy, exhausting unit? I'm torn between finding 'normal hours' in nursing or staying in the hospital but trying to get into another unit and maybe those 12's for another year or so won't be so bad. I have a young child who's not in school yet but will hopefully be in a K2 program this Fall...so being home all the extra days in nice (and cheaper for daycare) but once he's in school, the 12 hours away can get hard and make for a late bedtime. I have a ride along tomorrow for a Home Health job...because HH is 'normal hours' and has always seemed interesting to me...but I'm worried that even though the hours are 'normal' and allow for some flexibility, that working 5 days a week may be a lot to juggle, along with possible paperwork in the evening and of course more daycare tuition until my little guys in school.
I guess this post is pretty lengthy and random and maybe I'm not even sure what I'm asking...but I guess the basic questions I have are...
1. Stay in the hospital but different unit?
2. 8's or 12's?
3. Try something all together different with 'normal hours' in something like clinic or HH?
Thank you!! :)
Oh and I still need to eventually work on my BSN...will be doing that online but not sure when to start that either... Oh the uncertainty. Lil.
Lil: I see you have had a variety of responses so I thought I would put in my pro and cons. I have been a nurse for 30 years as of this Spring. Because my husband was in the military, I have worked all over the United States and every type of unit you can imagine including critical care, HH, case management, school nurse and legal nurse consulting. I have been a de facto single mother for probably 10 solid years worth of time due to my husband's deployments.
If you are on a stressful and disorganized unit, I would recommend you leave. There is nothing worse and there is always better. Not all nursing units are like that. Look for a good manager and follow that person. A good manager makes all the difference. Believe me, I have worked for the greatest leaders you can imagine and the biggest screw ups in the profession. Even if you are a nurse who walks on water, the poor manager will destroy you. A great leader will bring you through every trouble. So, ultimately, find the good manager and work for that person. If you are a good and conscientious nurse (which, it sounds like you are) led by a good manager, you will be competent and successful no matter what specialty you work in.
8 vs 12: When I was in my 20's, I worked 12s because we worked 6 days on and 8 days off. It worked very well because we were on a surgical unit and by the 3rd day with a surgical patient, we were very comfortable with our assignments. The 5th or 6th day we cared for the fresh post-ops or sent previous cases home. It worked great for us young ones and the older ones loved having regular one week vacations to actually travel. It would have been difficult if I had been a single mother. As for myself, I could never work 8 hour shifts and cover 2 mandatory weekends per month. I always felt like I was at work or just getting off or prepping to go in. A regular 8 hour day shift with no weekends, holidays, or overtime suited me fine while I was raising my 4 children. Others have done well with shift work for their entire career. See what works for you.
BSN: I know it sounds like a piece of paper but it does make you a better nurse. (I don't want any hate from anyone on this topic, the data backs me up.) Anyway, make that your goal but you don't have to do it all this week....small bites and lots of patience. Remember, your child is your priority, not your career.
Specializes in FNP- BC, Med-Tele, PCU, Home Health Case Manager.
Lil: I see you have had a variety of responses so I thought I would put in my pro and cons. I have been a nurse for 30 years as of this Spring. Because my husband was in the military, I have worked all over the United States and every type of unit you can imagine including critical care, HH, case management, school nurse and legal nurse consulting. I have been a de facto single mother for probably 10 solid years worth of time due to my husband's deployments.
If you are on a stressful and disorganized unit, I would recommend you leave. There is nothing worse and there is always better. Not all nursing units are like that. Look for a good manager and follow that person. A good manager makes all the difference. Believe me, I have worked for the greatest leaders you can imagine and the biggest screw ups in the profession. Even if you are a nurse who walks on water, the poor manager will destroy you. A great leader will bring you through every trouble. So, ultimately, find the good manager and work for that person. If you are a good and conscientious nurse (which, it sounds like you are) led by a good manager, you will be competent and successful no matter what specialty you work in.
8 vs 12: When I was in my 20's, I worked 12s because we worked 6 days on and 8 days off. It worked very well because we were on a surgical unit and by the 3rd day with a surgical patient, we were very comfortable with our assignments. The 5th or 6th day we cared for the fresh post-ops or sent previous cases home. It worked great for us young ones and the older ones loved having regular one week vacations to actually travel. It would have been difficult if I had been a single mother. As for myself, I could never work 8 hour shifts and cover 2 mandatory weekends per month. I always felt like I was at work or just getting off or prepping to go in. A regular 8 hour day shift with no weekends, holidays, or overtime suited me fine while I was raising my 4 children. Others have done well with shift work for their entire career. See what works for you.
BSN: I know it sounds like a piece of paper but it does make you a better nurse. (I don't want any hate from anyone on this topic, the data backs me up.) Anyway, make that your goal but you don't have to do it all this week....small bites and lots of patience. Remember, your child is your priority, not your career.
Best of luck. and, yes, follow your gut.
Dianne
Thank you so much for your reply! I went to work today and it was pure HELL, just as its been for the last 18 months... Short staffed, poorly ran and it's nowhere near looking for the better. Today solidified my decision to take the HH job...it'll be M-F, no holidays or weekends and I can make my own schedule. It will be best for my son I believe in many aspects and I'll be home every evening and every weekend. Its now 2130 and I got home just after 2000...and rushing to get my kiddo to bed, get ready for tomorrow, just to go back and endure another 12 hours of crap. Its too late to get home and get to bed and a terrible sched for my child. I feel guilty giving my notice (tomorrow eeeeek!) because my unit is soooo short staffed but I know I shouldn't even care...guess its just the nice human being in me. And they'll find another person who wants/needs a job...just to burn them out. Thank you for your advice! :)
Thank you so much for your reply! I went to work today and it was pure HELL, just as its been for the last 18 months... Short staffed, poorly ran and it's nowhere near looking for the better. Today solidified my decision to take the HH job...it'll be M-F, no holidays or weekends and I can make my own schedule. It will be best for my son I believe in many aspects and I'll be home every evening and every weekend. Its now 2130 and I got home just after 2000...and rushing to get my kiddo to bed, get ready for tomorrow, just to go back and endure another 12 hours of crap. Its too late to get home and get to bed and a terrible sched for my child. I feel guilty giving my notice (tomorrow eeeeek!) because my unit is soooo short staffed but I know I shouldn't even care...guess its just the nice human being in me. And they'll find another person who wants/needs a job...just to burn them out. Thank you for your advice! :)
You can both care and take care of yourself. There would be something lacking if you could walk away from your coworkers without a twinge of something. Stay a nice human :-)
st3mueller
5 Posts
Lil: I see you have had a variety of responses so I thought I would put in my pro and cons. I have been a nurse for 30 years as of this Spring. Because my husband was in the military, I have worked all over the United States and every type of unit you can imagine including critical care, HH, case management, school nurse and legal nurse consulting. I have been a de facto single mother for probably 10 solid years worth of time due to my husband's deployments.
If you are on a stressful and disorganized unit, I would recommend you leave. There is nothing worse and there is always better. Not all nursing units are like that. Look for a good manager and follow that person. A good manager makes all the difference. Believe me, I have worked for the greatest leaders you can imagine and the biggest screw ups in the profession. Even if you are a nurse who walks on water, the poor manager will destroy you. A great leader will bring you through every trouble. So, ultimately, find the good manager and work for that person. If you are a good and conscientious nurse (which, it sounds like you are) led by a good manager, you will be competent and successful no matter what specialty you work in.
8 vs 12: When I was in my 20's, I worked 12s because we worked 6 days on and 8 days off. It worked very well because we were on a surgical unit and by the 3rd day with a surgical patient, we were very comfortable with our assignments. The 5th or 6th day we cared for the fresh post-ops or sent previous cases home. It worked great for us young ones and the older ones loved having regular one week vacations to actually travel. It would have been difficult if I had been a single mother. As for myself, I could never work 8 hour shifts and cover 2 mandatory weekends per month. I always felt like I was at work or just getting off or prepping to go in. A regular 8 hour day shift with no weekends, holidays, or overtime suited me fine while I was raising my 4 children. Others have done well with shift work for their entire career. See what works for you.
BSN: I know it sounds like a piece of paper but it does make you a better nurse. (I don't want any hate from anyone on this topic, the data backs me up.) Anyway, make that your goal but you don't have to do it all this week....small bites and lots of patience. Remember, your child is your priority, not your career.
Best of luck. and, yes, follow your gut.
Dianne