Thinking of quitting second job since May

JentheRN05, RN · Jan 19, 2006

Anyone, please I hate to seem impatient but I really need some thoughts here

NaomieRN · Jan 19, 2006

I am sorry about your situation, but I think you are probably under alot of stress. Stress will weakens the immune system causing you to be sick all the times. I am not a nurse yet, I used to be an assistant director at a large public school system, I was always sick. I am not longer at that job, thank God, I am much better. I also take vitamin supplements and changed my diet. I try to stay away from as much processed foods as possible, (cheese, cold cuts, hydrogenated oils, bacon, pepperoni, soda, canned foods) detoxed my colon, eat more fruits and vegetables and drink vitamin water.

LydiaNN · Jan 19, 2006

I hope you get the phlebotomy job. It sounds like a day job will work out much better for your physical and mental health. I'm not sure I'd count on the pay compensating for the lack of insurance. IMHO, those types of jobs don't pay that well- the tradeoff for working days, in an office, instead of a hospital. I could be wrong, though.

Chaya, ASN, RN · Jan 19, 2006

First, your body is definitely trying to tell you something. Get off nights or you will be too sick to work, period. You'd really better think through the insurance thing very carefully, especially if you are the sole source of income for your family.This should show you you will be able to get a day job if you put your mind to it. Sometimes we do need to try several options before we find what's right for us. How could a potential employer fault you for this type of change- you did give working nights an honest attempt.

jen42 · Jan 19, 2006

When I worked nights I would get the worst heartburn in the world. I have mild heartburn during the days, but nights were killer. It just didn't work with me. That said, when you're trying to get into a field, you often have to work nights, as I will be doing soon.

BUT if you are noticing such a difference in your health, your body is indeed sending you a strong message. Some people love working nights, some people just can't physically do it. An opportunity might have fallen into your lap- take it!

christvs, DNP, RN, NP · Jan 19, 2006

I think if you are constantly getting sick when you work nights that is a definite message you should be paying attention to. I would try to get this other job that you are very interested in plus you will have better working hours, and can spend more time with your family. Good luck! :)

-Christine

Butterflybee · Jan 20, 2006

I wouldnt get my hopes up about the other job just in case things dont work out. Take it in stride, you will probably get it. As for working nights, hang in there if you need to! You can do it!!! In the meantime, hopefully, you can find the time to look for something else. Agency work perhaps? I had problems when I worked nights as well. As women, we usually do what we have to do but things will get better. Try to think differently so that if you are sick, you arent depressed too.

My family likes to say Im delusional and keep my head in the clouds but it works for me because I used to feel sad alot also. I try to keep things on a positive because a negative can always be found in any situation. ...

My favorite tee shirt has on the back a person with their arms up with the words, whatever. I like that. Lalala poopoo eee doop is another thing I say often. My friends laugh about it but again it works for me. Keep your head up and because you are a survivor. Stay strong and keep it positive. I truly hope you feel better.

DAWG22 · Jan 20, 2006

Okay, I came to you all when I had a problem with my last job in OB (lack of orientation if you don't recall) so I quit. Now I'm at a crossroads again, and am coming back for your help.
I have been on nights for 3 months (same job total for 4 months). I'm finding that I am constantly sick, even when my own kids aren't. I had the flu shot even. I have in the last month had pharyngitis twice, and bronchitis, pink eye (both eyes) sinus infection twice, and had a back injury at work. Through this I had 2 mandatory days off for my back injury, and two mandatory days off for my pink eye. (although I was only scheduled for one of each of those two days) I have as far as I know, acquired 1 point as far as the point system goes (I think we're allowed 7 before they start cracking down). In either case, 90+% of the time I have been on nights I have been sick. I realize this is from a decrease in immunity due to a conflict with my circadium (sp) rhythm. My kids hate me working nights, although I'm only working part time (2 one week 3 the next) they beg me not to go in. I am finding myself getting more and more depressed and wondering if I need a higher dose of antidepressant. All the while I keep thinking, if I wasn't working nights I probably wouldn't stay sick like this, and I probably wouldn't be depressed. Now last week I had a glimmer of hope at a job change, only a glimmer. I was getting my sons blood drawn for labs and mentioned I could do it if she wants. She asked if I was a nurse. Told her I was and she mentioned a job opportunity next door. They were looking for an RN with phlebotomy experience. Well I have that, I love starting IV's. Once I found that out I immediately went next door to talk to the head nurse (doctors office). I wasn't truly dressed for it, but I thought to myself, this MUST be fate. Sat down with her and had some small talk, she gave me a tour. It's a Complimentary therapy type of doctors office. I am also a Holistic practitioner. I mentioned that, and she high fived me. I also mentioned that I have only been an RN since May, she said that wasn't a problem and seemed genuinely excited about the whole thing since she hadn't even put an ad in the paper. I heard from her the next day. She wanted to set up a meeting with me and the owners for the next day (I worked the next night) so I couldn't really go in and meet them in the middle of the day in which she asked (11am). She said, don't worry we'll figure this out and get together. I called her right back and offered to come in first thing in the morning. She said that couldn't work for the owners and said again, no worries we WILL get together.
That was last week. Tomorrow is my last day off this week. I haven't heard back from her so I called this afternoon. She was already gone. I will call her in the morning. Tomorrows my anniversary, so I am praying for something good to happen.
Anyway - is this normal? I mean the being constantly sick on nights? Nobody else there is as sick as I am, or as often as I am. I am feeling alienated since I started getting sick. Patients love me, in fact I get requests for me to be there nurse. But my co-workers seems to resent the fact that I am sick all the time. Even when I still come to work sick. I am NOT choosing to be sick. I did NOT choose to get injured on the job and have restrictions put on me. Yet they treat me as if I had a choice in all of this. I don't know, I just feel alienated. Maybe I'm being overly conscious I don't know.
I know I'm sick of feeling sick, my family hates me working nights, and I really shouldn't need to up my antidepressants just to go to work.
Anyones thoughts would be appreciated. I love being a nurse, I just can't find my niche so to speak. The job that came up is EXACTLY what I am looking for, I don't know the pay, I do know they do not offer insurance. So I hope the pay compensates for that.
Please PLEASE help me out here again, I realize this is sort of a rant. But am I abnormal? Is it normal to be sick for 3 months straight when I am normally fairly healthy? Is it normal to get depressed like this just from working nights? Am I stupid for wanting out of my second job in 7 months? HELLLLPPPP!?!?

WELL, JAN IT SOUNDS LIKE YOUR BODY IS HAVING A HARD TIME ADJUSTING TO NOC'S. THIS HAPPENS TO A LOT OF PEOPLE. YOUR PROBABLY BETTER OFF ON DAYS. I'VE BEEN ON NOC'S FOR 8 YEARS AND WON'T HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY.. ABOUT THIS OTHER JOB, WHO CARRIES THE INSURANCE AND WHAT ABOUT THE PAY. GET THE NUMBERS FIRST BEFORE QUITTING YOUR CURRENT POSITION.. DON'T FEEL BAD ABOUT HAVING SO MANY JOBS AT FIRST. JUST FIND YOUR EXPERTISE AND ROOL WTH. WHEN YOU DO, YOU'LL LOVE GOING TO WORK.

weetziebat · Jan 20, 2006

Hi Jen,

Wow! you've really been through the wringer, haven't you? I certainly don't think you're abnormal being sick so often. I think its your body's way of saying you are unhappy and need to change something. And both being sick so often, and not liking your shift would be enough to make anyone depressed.

As far as changing jobs go, think you need to, if not love your job, at least be able to live with it, and not have such conflict with your family begging you not to go to work. If that means three jobs in 8 months, so be it. When you have that much illness in such a short period of time, you need to search for someplace else.

Good luck reaching the nurse at the job you are trying for. Sounds like it would be perfect for you. Let us know what happens, O.K?

JentheRN05, RN · Jan 20, 2006

Well I was offered the job. I love the atmosphere, the people are very nice. I think it would be a wonderful match EXCEPT. Since they don't offer insurance, as I said before I was hoping for a compensation in pay. Lol That's a joke. It would've been the perfect job, but they only pay $11.50/h? WHAT?!?!? I AM an RN, AND a holistic practitioner (which there client base is of holistic nature!) Geez, if only they paid better. I have searched, there is nothing in my area. I live in a tiny town at least 1 hour each direction from any big town. Which isn't a terrible deal, I am used to it. But the town I work in is practically owned by the hospital that I now work in. Having only been there 4 months I am certain they won't transfer me. I believe you have to be there a year. I honestly can't just quit this job. I know my health, family and sanity are at stake but we also can't afford that big of a cut in pay, and I currently am covering the kids and myself for insurance.

I just feel tired, sick, depressed, lonely and disheartened by the fact that I may either always have to work nights, or always have to work in a hospital to get decent pay. The obvious option here, move. I realize that. But growing up I nearly went to a different school every year. I swore to myself I wouldn't do that to my children. That they would start and graduate with the same friends, from the same school.

We've managed to get ourselves so much in debt over the last few years that the only way out of this house at this point is bankruptsy(sp). Which I hate the thought of doing.

I feel so down on this situation that I almost feel I should leave nursing altogether.

I get the feeling that my antidepressant must not be working as well now either, because I spend alot of time crying these days, and my hubby feels bad but he can't just tell me to quit. We can't afford it. HELP!! I just want to have normal hours with decent pay and insurance. I need my sanity back. I need my health back.

Anyone have suggestions? At this point I'm sure it's just hopeless

weetziebat · Jan 20, 2006

Jen,

I feel so bad for you. To get the 'perfect' job offer at a salary that is like a slap in the face! I don't know as I'd think your anti-depressant isn't working - with all that is going on with you, don't you think it would be unrealistic not to feel depressed? No amount of meds is gonna make you smile at this time, I would think.

I certainly don't have any answers - just wanted to give you my support and some hugs. While I understand $11.50 an hour, without benefits, is insulting, what happens if you continue to be so sick all the time due to stress and graveyard shift, you are depressed, your kids are unhappy, etc?? If you can't work at the hospital job cause of these reasons it won't make any difference how much money you make.

Hope you can find an answer that will work for you. :kiss