I'll start off with saying: I know this is ultimately my decision, I am just looking to hear others opinions :)
I currently work in a neonatal ICU, I have been here two years. I worked on a neuro intermediate care unit for two years prior. I have been a nurse for 4 years. I am not interested in med/surg/ICU nursing. I have been on nights these past four years and it is really starting to get to me. I am feeling depressed and anxious and I really believe it is related to working nights. Every day I have to go into work I think about looking for another job. In addition to not liking nights, I am not crazy about how the unit is run (we have 3 clinical managers and two of them just put in their two week notices. A lot of people aren't very happy). There are a couple other things that just make me not feel like NICU is the right fit for me.
I have applied to an endoscopy unit in our hospital, and I found out today I am shadowing and interviewing next week. It is 72 hours a pay, day shift, no weekends, 4 days a week 9 hour days, no holidays (but we are on call occasionally evenings/nights/weekends/holidays). I really feel like this schedule would be so much better for me.
The pay cut is the one thing worrying me. Going to days would be about $450 pay cut a month. That's a big deal! It already is kind of tight sometimes with finances, and adding that to it makes me nervous. My daughter would have to go to the sitter four days a week instead of the two that she goes now (she is 14 months) which kind of makes me feel guilty and selfish, I want to do what's best for her. But for my mental sanity, I finally feel like I have an 'out' from nights and that makes me so excited.
Anyone have personal experience from this? I am torn...and rambling :)
We are married, and he wants me to do whatever makes me happiest. He agrees that it will be tight financially, but we could somehow make it work. I think he rather I was on days as well if that's what I want.
I am struggling with the same decision as well. I work every weekend 7p-7a with an extra shift on Thursday nights. It's doing me in but to come off weekends AND off nights would be about $9.50/hour less. We just can't swing it but I get the argument, mental health and wellness is more important than money. I say go for it!
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
We are married, and he wants me to do whatever makes me happiest. He agrees that it will be tight financially, but we could somehow make it work. I think he rather I was on days as well if that's what I want.
If you're married, it seems that your husband would get a bigger vote than anonymous strangers on the internet. Do what best meets the needs of your family.
If the $450 is needed (which it sounds like it is), do a day shift PRN on one of your off days (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) to make up the differential. I work with so many nurses who have flexible side jobs that are PRN & provide them with little "bonuses" during the month.
tobydog01
5 Posts
We are married, and he wants me to do whatever makes me happiest. He agrees that it will be tight financially, but we could somehow make it work. I think he rather I was on days as well if that's what I want.