wise nurses, desperately need some insight

[thekid]

Hi nurses, I badly need some perspective from those who have been in the field for a while.

I have been out of nursing for ten years and last year reinstated my license (RN). It has taken me a full year to find a job, and then two presented themselves at the same time.

A little background..I started out in nursing to work in labor/delivery or postpartum. I never had interest in any other area of nursing. Before starting nursing school I worked briefly as an aide in L and D and loved it. Then went on to nursing school and took the job that was available..long term care and hospice. Made the best of it, didn't care for it.

The two job offers I have right now are so different and I feel like I'm choosing between what I have always had an interest in and what I need financially.

1) The first job is as a clinical aide in postpartum. It's full time, benefits, day and eve shift, and I would make just enough money to cover my expenses (single mom). Yes, I am an RN but I have been out for ten years so I felt this was a fine way to get the feet wet again. The manager also told me that internal candidates are eligible to apply for RN positions..and that there is a labor and delivery (19 week) class twice a year. So if I put in my dues and some patience..it could lead to a great promotion. Since I have never been a L AND D nurse, I don't know for sure if it's something I would truly like or if I have the romanticized idea of what I think it is like. I understand working at a hospital requires committment above and beyond. Truthfully I am concerned about attendance since my son will be in daycare and they tend to pick up everything in daycare. I have waited FIFTEEN YEARS to get back in this department. I cannot depend on my ex to help me in a crunch (for example taking the boy if he gets sick). We don't have a good relationship.

2) Job two is working as a field coordinator for an insurance company. Five days a week, normal business hours, no holidays or weekends. The title would be either LPN or RN. The pay is substantially higher but it does require driving so I have to figure in car maintenance. The manager I interviewed with seemed very relaxed, she told me she had a daughter and understands about 'sick days' due to kids. The job would involve some work at home, some work at facilities, and some work at member's homes. Honestly I can't say the job would really peak my interest but then again I am not sure..I've never done it. I have a passion for learning as much as I can about L AND D but I can't say the same is true for insurance.

How do I choose between a job I am 99% certain I would really enjoy, and over a certain amount of time would give me a great raise, and a job that starts out at a higher pay, seems more flexible for working moms, but does not have my passion. I feel like the hospital job is something that i should consider if I had family nearby to help with my boy. But I've already accepted the job and I don't want to blow my chances by declining it. I also want to be fully committed to the job.

There's one other option and I am not sure if it's too late to accept it because the other position might be filled..plus before considering this option I'd like a firm offer from the second job ..I can work per diem at the hospital and do the second job full time. Per diem requires 24 hours a month that I choose..so I'd be pretty busy but at least I can have a foot in both places.

Thank you for reading, I have no one else to turn to..no one in my family is a nurse. I live in Hawaii as a single mom by myself and can't depend too much on my son's dad for support (not financial but daycare related)

aloha

[FLArn]

Do you have any close friends or neighbors with a similarly aged child that you could swap childcare time with? For example, she would watch your son if he can't go to daycare and you take her child so she can have a "date night" with her husband or something like that.

[pharmgirl]

Here is what I would if I listened to my brain: I would take the insurance job for the time being. Try it out. It is what you need right now for your child. You will be able to better support him financially and be there if he gets sick etc. Then I would keep my eye on further down the road when he was able to be a little more independent (teenage years etc.,) I would look into L&D. You will have been working as an RN for awhile it will probably be easier to find an L&D RN position. While working for the insurance co., take some online classes on L&D or do what you can to gain extra certifications.

Now, if I were to listen to my heart (instead of my brain): I would say go for the L&D job. You will always regret not taking the gamble. If you don't like it, then so be it, you tried it. You satisfied that long lived curiousity. If you can hold out and struggle for as long as it takes to get the RN position, it may be worth it. But like I said, either way, you will know and you can either move on or stay put.

When I was in a similar position, I went with my heart. The department I long desired ended up not being "all that". I was welcomed back to my previous job with open arms but still remain prn. I don't regret it. It was a learning experience and I never regret learning ANYTHING!

Good luck to you....I know you are in a tough spot and I feel for you. Let us know what you decide.

[retiredlady]

Take the insurance job and have holidays and weekends with your child. You don't have to rotate., more money, you might be able to get better childcare at those times. I think that you can be held accountable ( being a RN) in the aide role because you have that knowledge of an RN. Sometimes us mothers don't get to work where or certain times that we want when we take care of our children.

[MBrnbsnmha/ed]

I also agree with taking the insurance job more stable hours and time to spend with your child. A long term goal of yours could be to go into L & D in the future. You are the sole provider the insurance job offers higher pay, RN title, and your hours appear to work with your child's day schedule.

[Ccp65_61]

Tough choice for a single mom. I have been in nursing for 21 years and the insurance job field work would be more flexible for your situation. It is almost like home care work and you can flex your schedule around the need of your child in urgent needs. I left my comfort zone of 20 year hospital setting and move to another state and ended up doing homecare for about 6 years which was the best move I made until my kids got a little bit up and age. I was able to flex my schedule to attend school events, take them to the doctor and etc. One will always have to have an alternate plan for when our child(ren) get sick. There is no getting around this situation no matter what work choice you make. Good luck in your decision. You will be good no matter what route you take.

[BluegrassRN]

I would not take a job that is below my license; you're going to be held (legally) to an RN standard, but you won't get paid for that. That's a terrible situation to be in!!! I can't believe hospitals do this (although I know it happens).

[thmpr]

What would you hope for your son to do if he were a single father in your shoes?

[GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN]

I would take the insurance job. You will be screwed if your son gets sick and can't be in daycare. Usually hospital employers expect parents to have a back up plan so you don't miss work for sick kids, barring extreme situations (like a kid in the hospital.) If you have to call off every time your kid has a fever, tummy bug, etc. Don't most daycares have rules that you can't send kids with fevers or pretty much anything other than a common cold? Working in the hospital won't be a good fit with a young kid if you don't have the support of family/the kids father. Good luck finding another mom to watch your kid if they are too sick for daycare, they probably won't want to take the risk of their kid(s) getting sick. I would happily watch a working moms kid if she were in a bind, but not if it was anything more than a cold- I don't want my kids getting sick with more than a cold if possible. If the insurance company gives a bit more leeway for that kind of thing, I would jump on it and just work for the hospital per-diem to get a foot in the door. If you have a chance for no weekends or holidays, I would jump on that. How will you be finding daycare on weekends and holidays? Or even evenings? I would hold out for the dream job just a little longer, personally. I would wait until your kid is school aged where kids aren't sent home for every little thing. I also would want to work as my title, not below it. If you work below it that is fine, but you are still held to the standards of an RN.

[thekid]

Thank you kindly, everyone, for each and every reply. It truly does seem like a choice between head and heart, but my child and his well being is much more important than the job I've 'always wanted' ..and you are all correct, I'm 39 and I have many years ahead of me for working into L AND D.

I do have a great sitter who will watch him in the evenings and weekends (and even holidays) but if she decided to say no, I have no one else here. My girl friends are all nurses too (grown kids or no kids). I was so excited when the hospital called me but true..it's not an RN position and I know within a couple months I'd be yanking on the manager asking her about RN class. And I do remember the rigorous demands of hospital work..you stay until they say you can go. Kid sick or not. Maybe this is something I will just have to remain curious about until he's older.

Money DOES talk..in the long run working as an RN at the hospital would pay double of what the RN job in insurance would pay but I don't know how long it will take to get to that level. The insurance job would start early January and I would be able to support myself and my son without help from his father at all (and as you may know the cost of living in Hawaii is high). Then again the insurance company tells me there is a lot of upward mobility in the company, new positions come open all the time and I could go into case management or concurrent review..again nothing that floats my boat but , lol, there is no guarantee I'd like hospital either. I do well working independently, driving to homes to do assessments, and would be working from home at least part time. Maybe I'll be surprised and really like it.

Thanks again, I'll repost and let you know what happens. I hope my post here helps out someone else as well. Thanks for the support from nurses.....and parents.

ps if my son was a single dad I'd advise him to take the job that best fit for his child, too.

[MassED, BSN, RN]

it seems a no brainer. Job #2 - great hours, no weekends, no holidays, great pay... what else do you NEED right now?

[MassED, BSN, RN]

Thank you kindly, everyone, for each and every reply. It truly does seem like a choice between head and heart, but my child and his well being is much more important than the job I've 'always wanted' ..and you are all correct, I'm 39 and I have many years ahead of me for working into L AND D.

I do have a great sitter who will watch him in the evenings and weekends (and even holidays) but if she decided to say no, I have no one else here. My girl friends are all nurses too (grown kids or no kids). I was so excited when the hospital called me but true..it's not an RN position and I know within a couple months I'd be yanking on the manager asking her about RN class. And I do remember the rigorous demands of hospital work..you stay until they say you can go. Kid sick or not. Maybe this is something I will just have to remain curious about until he's older.

Money DOES talk..in the long run working as an RN at the hospital would pay double of what the RN job in insurance would pay but I don't know how long it will take to get to that level. The insurance job would start early January and I would be able to support myself and my son without help from his father at all (and as you may know the cost of living in Hawaii is high). Then again the insurance company tells me there is a lot of upward mobility in the company, new positions come open all the time and I could go into case management or concurrent review..again nothing that floats my boat but , lol, there is no guarantee I'd like hospital either. I do well working independently, driving to homes to do assessments, and would be working from home at least part time. Maybe I'll be surprised and really like it.

Thanks again, I'll repost and let you know what happens. I hope my post here helps out someone else as well. Thanks for the support from nurses.....and parents.

ps if my son was a single dad I'd advise him to take the job that best fit for his child, too.

You may love insurance nursing work, ya never know. I don't know, either, but I certainly wouldn't rule it out.