Hi all! I'm fairly new here (have been more of a stalker than poster LOL). So here's a little background on me.
I graduated from nursing school last spring. I've been full-time night shift in the ICU since last July. I have not really liked it since day one. I can't put my finger on one exact thing I don't like, it's more several things I don't like that combined have had me pretty much always looking or listening out for other opportunities. I'm married, have 2 kids (4 & 15). Hubby works long hours M-F so is very little help with ferrying around the kids, making it to school functions, etc etc. He is however home every weekend and most evenings by 7.
Here are some of the things I've disliked about ICU:
1.) The acuity level (I know, I know, what did I expect?) but it's way more stress than I ever envisioned. I precepted in the ICU in nursing school, so when the job offer came along, I thought, hey, I know the staff, I know the unit, this should be a great way to start. And it was, in a way. I've learned LOADS, but still always feel a step behind where I should be.
2.) The unit always feels understaffed. When census is low, we are forced to send home nurses/aides, but when census is up and would allow for more staff, we rarely have anyone we can call in. I always feel like I'm running around "like a chicken with my head cut off" and I hate that feeling.
3.) I like being organized at work. The ICU is constantly changing so just about time I feel like I've got my flow going in a shift, we get a bunch of admits or transfers and throws a wrench in my precious "system" and it feels like Im always "recovering."
4.) I love my coworkers on nights (which is why I don't want to go to days in this unit, because day shift is catty with a capital C). But I really dont like night shift. I'm walking out the door either at the same time my hubby gets home or BEFORE he gets home - which means that some weeks, its not unusual for me to work and not lay eyes on him until my 3 shifts are over. Also, he goes to work, before daycares open so we don't have kid coverage from 5:30am until I get home around 8. My mother in law, bless her, is having to drive to my house and sit there until I get home. This cannot go on forever.
I want to put my youngest child in preschool this fall, but the way it stands now there is no way to get her to and from school with my current schedule. Also, I really just want to be available to her in the mornings to take her there and spend that time with her before school and in the evenings after. I feel like my 15 year old can handle things a little better than the little one. But it would be better for both of them for me to have a more regular schedule.
So, there is a position open with my hospital's home health agency. It says the hours are 8-5 M-F with "rotating weekly call". Can anyone tell me how it was for you switching from a unit to HH? Do you think I have enough experience (will be a year in ICU before switching)? Is the stress of HH worth the schedule? I'm not really expecting easier (although it would be nice if it was LOL) but is it more regimented? I like structure. I like having an idea what I'm going to get into each day, even if it doesnt follow my plan exactly, I'm more comfortable when I at least have some idea what I'll be doing. I'm not worried about the home visit and driving aspect - I worked onsite computer repair for 10 years before going into nursing, and that meant driving to and from individual homes and business offices all day to work on computers.
NurseB2014
18 Posts
Got a job offer from HH. Waiting to hear back on some questions I had, then I have to make a decision. Yikes.
Did the math and pay would be almost exactly the same (not counting the mileage) so they werent kidding when they said "lateral move".