What would you do??

[pedirn1]

I know my decision is a personal one, but I am having a very hard time making my mind up on what to do.

First of all I am a new RN (graduated in May 08) and took an awsome job at a chidlrens hospital 1.5 hours away from where I live. I took it because I want to pediatrics and my husband told me he would look for a job closer to where I work. Well six months and a bad economy later he has had no luck finding a job closer to where I work (he is currenlty a network admin and works five min. from our house). We also have 4 young children with the oldest being 8. I work full time days and getting physically worn down with all the driving, plus I feel that I never see my kids and on my days off I am completely worn out.

I am considering quitting my job to find something closer, but am scared that since I just started this job it would look bad on my resume for qutting after 6 months. I just know I can't keep doing what I am doing. I am constantly in a bad mood, worn out, and dread going to work because of the long drive, but most importantly I feel that I am missing out of my kids life. I know that If I take another job closer....thats' if I can even find one it won't be in pediatrics (since I do live in such a rural community).

I guess I am just complaining a bit and need someone to listen to me. My husband just doesn't understand how physically, mentally, and emtionally nursing is esp. being a new grad. I just wish I wasn't in this postition because I do like my job, but it is physically killing me!

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

I think with the economy being the way it is right now, employers would understand your desire to work closer to home. I'd suggest you find a new job BEFORE you quit your current one though. Be as selective as you can within the limitations of your home town but don't hold out for perfection. I have a long commute too, though not as long as yours, and I work part time (70%) but I am exhausted when I get home. I too would love to work closer to home, but I tried the peds unit at my local hospital and it wasn't busy enough. You need to have a job that allows you sufficient time to rest between shifts, and if you're driving for three hours every time you work, you're not going to have that, never mind time to be with your children or work on keeping your marriage healthy. We're assaulted on every level when we work as nurses: physically by heavy workloads and short staffing, emotionally by the misery illness and death cause for our fellow humans and spiritually when we see the horrible things humans do to other humans. Life is too short to spend most of it commuting!

[Jules A, MSN]

Is there any way you can cut your hours or do 3-12s? I'd hate to think of you leaving a Peds unit you love for something unknown especially in an area that you aren't passionate about. Like you said nursing is too hard not to be in an area that is your first choice, imo. I commute 90 minutes each way and actually enjoy the time to just relax and listen to the radio alone but wouldn't want to do it 5 days a week. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[southernbelle08]

I also commute about 1.5 hr to work. However, I have no children and I do it three days a week.

I think if you could revise your schedule at your current job so you'd be happier, than that would be my first action. If that isn't possible, or a revision really wouldn't make a big difference, then I would start looking elsewhere. I also graduated in May 08 and I have several friends I graduated with that are on their 2nd jobs. One quit her first job back in August - so she was only at the 1st job for a little over 2 months. I think with the demand for us and the way the economy is now days, people will understand. No, you won't get what you have at the current time - but when you look back will you wish for that perfect job or for that time with your children? I think you should do what you know in your heart will make you happy. From reading your post, it sounds like you already know to me. :)

Best of luck to you!

[blaaveispiken]

You've already received some good advice but take into consideration (which it sounds like you are) you never get those years back with your children and it sounds like you already feel like you are missing out.

If your husband found a job closer to where you are working would you move? Can you survive if you cut back on your hours or worked maybe 2 12 hour shifts a week?

Explore your options and have something lined up if you decide to leave your current job. I wish you the best, but your family is more important than nursing...just my opinion.

Good luck and keep us posted!