When are you going to get a "real" job?

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Hello again fellow PD nurses! Just here to let off a little steam I guess... I am so tired of family and friends asking me, "when are you going to get a "real" job at a hospital?" or "have you applied at so and so hospital yet?" Actually no I haven't applied at so and so hospital because I HAVE a job and I am NOT looking for a job. I am perfectly happy in my position as a private duty nurse, which is a specialty and takes excellent assessment skills to be able to be out in the field on your own without a "rapid response" team just a button away when something goes wrong! My patient's family put great trust in me to take care of their sick loved ones in their home. God forbid you should become disabled young or be diagnosed with a chronic debilitating disease, and want to live your life comfortably in your own home, maybe then you would appreciate that private duty nurse for not getting a "real job" and instead taking care of YOU at HOME! Ahhh I feel so much better!

As long as the paycheck spends in the grocery store or at the utility company or at the mortgage holder or with the landlord, who cares that these jealous people don't think you have a real job?

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That mentality is just infuriating. If I had a nickel for every time someone said that to me, I'd be rich. I have met nurses who couldn't cut it in the hospital and in my opinion, they especially shouldn't have been in home care either. In the hospital you are supervised. If you have problems with a vent or your patients biox is 85%, you call the Respiratory Tech. If there is a problem making a nursing diagnosis, you can pick the brain of another nurse. If you need help with a difficult transfer, you got it. In home care, you have to be it all to that patient. That takes more guts and grit then people realize.

Let all those naysayers have those 'real' jobs! Home care was a job that enabled me to work my job around my life... not my life around my job. The flexibility was by far the best benefit of all. I've been in home care for 25+ years now and looking back, I don't regret one thing about my job and wouldn't do it different if I had the opportunity. So if you love what you are doing... keep doing it!

Kyasi

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Specializes in Hospice / Ambulatory Clinic.

FYI I got a "real" job and I hate it. Figuring out how to get back into 1:1 hospice or PDN again

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Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, LTC.

oh wow... I have the direct opposite thoughts on home health nurses. It is a field I have been interested in, but too afraid to make the switch. I have done a few years of psych and med/surg each. I would think you have to be extra good to be able to survive home health where there is no one to go to for help or to bounce questions off of! :eek: WHY would people think otherwise of home health nurses? BTW, I hated my "real" job in med/surg. If you are happy where you are, don't let others mess with you. Stay where you are happy.

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
FYI I got a "real" job and I hate it. Figuring out how to get back into 1:1 hospice or PDN again

It has it's drawbacks for sure, but I really liked the independence so much! Now I wonder if if I could cope with all the drama and crap that goes on in inpatient facilities. I went for an interview and the nurse interviewing me sort of treated me like "beneath her" I thought wow I really don't know if I can keep my mouth shut like I used to!!

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Specializes in Sub-Acute/Psychiatric/Detox.

Don't feel like your alone... Psych and Detox nurses get the same crap...

Its to the point now where I don't talk about my specialty with people outside of it unless they show interest. You do what? Huh?

If all Nurses worked in a hospital then it must be a big hospital.

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