Could you do a job you hated for two days a week?

Calypso312 · July 2011

I'm an RN and I have come across a baylor position in ICU at another hospital. Baylor means I would work every Friday and Saturday, but still get paid for full time and get full time benefits. Here's the catch...ICU makes me want to gouge my eyes out with hot pokers! But I'd be available for therapies all through the week except for her speech on Fridays. As it stands now, I'm missing most of her therapies. I only get to participate once or maybe twice a week. And she spends more time at grandma's than I'm happy with.

If I took the position I'd have to sign a year contract, so this is not something I could take lightly. Any thoughts?

realisticdreams · July 2011

Are they 12 hour shifts?

I work 1, 13 hour shift a week at a job I hate..and I do pretty ok lol. It's extra income that we NEED right now. However, if I had to do more than 2 days/week I think i'd lose it. The fact that you would get to keep benefits seems like an amazing plus factor to me. I so wish we still had my benefits from CVS but I just cannot do the 30 hours/week, we are not flexible enough & it's too stressful. They asked me if I would work an extra shift after August and i'm pretty much passing. Dh works 80 hours in the winter and is on call, which equates to extra 3 grand a month so why would I work more in the winter lol.

What is it that you hate about ICU so much?

jsugrin · July 2011

The short answer is yes I could. Even if I hated it, I would take the approach that each and every day gets me one day closer to the end of it. I'd focus on the fact that it's only for one year, it's easier for me to do crappy stuff when I know there is an end to it!

The longer answer is, it would depend on what you hate about it and how that it going to effect your overall life. Does working ICU make you depressed and stressed in a way that you would bring home and negatively effect your family? Would giving up every Friday and Saturday add stress to your marriage ect if you don't have a real weekend together? Is it that there is more "paperwork" type stuff to deal with in ICU and that is the part that drives you crazy?

Full benefits for part-time (I'm assuming these are 12 and not 16 hour shifts right?) is HUGE, it kind of blows my mind that in this economy that exists anywhere anymore. If you are currently spending a good chunk on money on co-pays and meeting your out of pocket maximum and RX's ( along with whatever monthly premiums) being able to drastically reduce those expenses would be a major draw for me. Being able to have more time with DD, that would be a huge plus (are you working a standard 8-5 schedule now?). As far as being at therapies, IMO that would depend on what they are doing and if you're being there would mean learning things you could work with her at home (and that being something you're missing now) or if it's more about being able to have more communication about what's going on. For us, when DS#1 was in speech and Dev. therapy after the first two months or so I was pretty superfluous to the whole process. Also, is the "more time at grandma's than you're happy with" because you miss her or because you think it's not a place that serves her needs in the best possible way? We all know that the grandparents adore the LO's (well unless your my MIL anyway Confused ) but it doesn't always mean they make the best caregivers.

With the full time benefits, how much vacation/pto time would you accrue? If you're also accruing that at a full time rate and would be able to take a fair amount time off, that's a major plus too. Think of it this way, if you've got 20 days a year or PTO and only work 2 days a week that is 10 weeks you get to eliminate from the 52 weeks you'd be faced with being there. Anything to make it easier to march your way through that year right Big Smile .

Calypso312 · July 2011

It is 12 hour shifts. ICU is just not my gig. I'm a L&D nurse. I don't like anything cardiac...it makes me nervous and I'm just not comfortable there. It would consist of a lot of cardiac. There are a lot of pros...I guess I just need to figure out weather I can handle the stress that it would bring me for those two days a week. Ahhh, the sacrifices we make for our families...

Calypso312 · July 2011

jsugrin:

The short answer is yes I could. Even if I hated it, I would take the approach that each and every day gets me one day closer to the end of it. I'd focus on the fact that it's only for one year, it's easier for me to do crappy stuff when I know there is an end to it!

The longer answer is, it would depend on what you hate about it and how that it going to effect your overall life. Does working ICU make you depressed and stressed in a way that you would bring home and negatively effect your family? Would giving up every Friday and Saturday add stress to your marriage ect if you don't have a real weekend together? Is it that there is more "paperwork" type stuff to deal with in ICU and that is the part that drives you crazy?

Full benefits for part-time (I'm assuming these are 12 and not 16 hour shifts right?) is HUGE, it kind of blows my mind that in this economy that exists anywhere anymore. If you are currently spending a good chunk on money on co-pays and meeting your out of pocket maximum and RX's ( along with whatever monthly premiums) being able to drastically reduce those expenses would be a major draw for me. Being able to have more time with DD, that would be a huge plus (are you working a standard 8-5 schedule now?). As far as being at therapies, IMO that would depend on what they are doing and if you're being there would mean learning things you could work with her at home (and that being something you're missing now) or if it's more about being able to have more communication about what's going on. For us, when DS#1 was in speech and Dev. therapy after the first two months or so I was pretty superfluous to the whole process. Also, is the "more time at grandma's than you're happy with" because you miss her or because you think it's not a place that serves her needs in the best possible way? We all know that the grandparents adore the LO's (well unless your my MIL anyway ) but it doesn't always mean they make the best caregivers.

With the full time benefits, how much vacation/pto time would you accrue? If you're also accruing that at a full time rate and would be able to take a fair amount time off, that's a major plus too. Think of it this way, if you've got 20 days a year or PTO and only work 2 days a week that is 10 weeks you get to eliminate from the 52 weeks you'd be faced with being there. Anything to make it easier to march your way through that year right .

MIL's house is a wonderful environment for DD. She gets her meds on time and correctly and MIL is great about doing therapies at home with her. I just miss her. I would rather her spend more time at home than anywhere. Right now I'm working 12 hr nights with a 3/2 split schedule, so it would be A LOT more time with DD. I don't know if the stress would affect my family because I've never worked anything but L&D long term. But once I get in, I can't get out if I can't stand it. Another thing that worries me is that this position has been open on and off several times over the past three years. I've been watching it for a while. That makes me wonder if the manager is Lucifer!

Sobachka · July 2011

I could not. I just know myself and I am very honest about it.

You can absolutely convince yourself that you can, and it is only for a year, but this will come at a price - and it may include more stress, lost sanity, shaky marriage, feeling of constant guilt - you name it.

I would suggest that you do this:

1. Learn more about this position and see if additional training can be offered (so you feel more comfortable). Can youshadow a nurse there for a day?

2. Sit down and write on a piece of paper all pros and cons of taking the position, and then see what you have. Be honest, and list all your concerns.

Good luck!

Lizard1131 · July 2011

I do a job I hate with a passion. I hate waking up. I hate being there, and I cry in the bathroom at least once a day. But I have benefits that cover Elecare for my baby girl, and all the therapies in the WORLD for my big girl. So I go, and it is worth it, right??? Right??? God I hope so....

Sobachka · July 2011

Lizard, what in the world do you do?!

victoria1977 · July 2011

I lurk here and I hope I don't get flamed for this. I don't mean for this to come off as rude at all. I know you are just trying to do what is best for your daughter and your family. I SO get that.

BUT, I don't think anyone who is an ICU nurse should hate their job. I could not imagine having a loved one in the ICU and then getting assigned a nurse who hated being there on top of it. What if you have a really bad day, on top of already hating your job and God forbid you make a horrible mistake? Maybe I am over thinking your position too much, but those were my first thoughts when I read your post.

So to answer the question, yes I could easily do I job I hated for 2 days as long as it didn't affect the lives of innocent people. IMO, I dont think you should do it.

Eszcz1228 · July 2011

Ignore the PP!!!! I am in the SAME shoes as you! I work weekend incentive (only friday and saturday nights but make 10 bucks more an hour). I work on the renal/vascular floor and hate it! Unless you are a nurse you have no idea the pressure you have on your shoulders caring for 6 to 8 very sick patients. These peoples lives are in my hands and we are always understaffed and have such heavy assignments. Most people to go work and if they make a small error its no big deal they either retype, redo, or call and fix their error. Well, a nurse can't do that! They have to be on point at all times because a small error can kill people. Now, to answer your question! I hate my job but love I only work two days! Friday night I feel okay because I have been off the last 5 days and Saturday I get by because its my last night till the following week. I am there for all his doctor appts, therapy, and we don't need to pay for day care! I think if you truly wanna spend more time with your LO then you can do it! A year goes by so quick when you only work two days a week.

hopanka · July 2011

Yes, I suppose you could...I do - and I do it for more than 40 hrs/wk. I told myself I would never do this line of work I'm in again, but life changes. It is a must for me, money doesn't grow on trees, so I'm doing what I'm doing....for right now. I hope it's not for too long and I keep saying that to myself everyday.

Good luck with your decision!

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