Hello everyone I recently went back to work. I am a Nurse and I work 12hrs shifts days, nights, and weekends. I recently applied for a new position that would be a step up in wage and responsibility. The position is new so we don't really know what exactly I will be doing but we have to make it work as we go along. I thought it would be a great opportunity at first and applied and did the interview last week. I haven't heard back yet about the position but should know tomorrow but now I don't think I want it any more. We did some number crunching and this new position in 4 hours a day 5 days a week. They want me to start at 7am which means that I would have to have my kids up by 6 or earlier to get them to the baby sitter. We haven't been able to find anyone who wants to take them that early yet. Also with all the appointments they still go to we would be on the road at least 2 days a week after lunch which means our week would be kinda crazy compared to what it is right now. There is also a large $ difference in day care should we be able to find one. With my current position I only need day care for 32hrs a month because four of my shifts are on weekends and their dad can watch them then. With the new one I am looking at 100hrs of day care so even with the wage increase I would take home less money. This normally wouldn't bother me but my DH just started up a new business so we are now living off of my wage until he is up and running fully. So Now I am torn. I thought it would be a great position and I still do I just think that perhaps its not the right time in our lives. Perhaps 5 years down the road when the kids are older and in school. Also since it is new they are going to review it in 6 months to see if it is still necessary and I don't really think that it is because I work in a rural hospital and right now we have no emergency services so there are days that are quite slow and I don't want to be out of a job in 6 months. Anyway I just wanted to see what you guys thought. I kinda feel stupid now for even applying but the info on the job did change from what they originally told me and now I just don't know. I have always worked shift work and never worked Monday to friday so those of you who do how do you like it? For me it would be going from working 8 12hr shifts in a month to only having 8 days off in a month. Thanks in advance for your opinions.
We've dealt with this with DH. And although I wish he was making more, so many things work out better for us at this stage in our little ones lives. He has interviewed numerous times, which I think is important for finding out all the information you need to consider a new job, but we always go back to his current position. He works M-F 8:00-5:00. Can't beat having weekends with 7 children. I think from reading your post I would recommend staying in your current position, just my opinion though. There will be other chances to move up in your career when they are older, like you mentioned.
As someone who works FT, 8 hours/day, M-F, I'd love to 8 12 hour shifts a month instead. I'd jump all over that. So I would not switch if I were you.
I don't think it's ever a mistake to interview. Remember interviewing is an opportunity for them to know you better and also for you to learn more about the potential new job and figure out if it's right for you. A 2 way street. If you are offered this job it is an offer. If it's not a good fit at this time say so and maybe they will keep you in mind for future opportunities that may be a better fit for you in the future.
Shift work sounds great to me. I haven't gone back to work yet because I am a teacher and I don't want to work 5 days a week. I would love to work 2-3 12 hour shifts a week. In your situation, it sounds like you might be better off in your current position.
Thanks for your input!! I was begining to think I was nuts for even considering it. If I was the successful applicant (I know I was the only applicant) I am going to turn it down. Part of me thought it would be nice to have the weekends and holidays off so we could do things as a family more often but for now I am going to stick with what I have so I can spend more time with the boys on the whole. Thanks again
My DH is a nurse and recently got his MSN and MHA. He was working 3 12 hr. shifts a week. He worked almost every Holiday and every other weekend. While we loved the fact that he was home during the week to help with the kids, go to Dr. appts., etc., it was a pain the butt always having to plan Holidays around his schedule. We also didn't like that every other weekend he wasn't around. When my oldest started 1st grade, it was especially hard b/c on the nights he worked, she'd be in bed by the time he got home. When she got home on his days off they'd see eachother for a few hours and none on the weekends he worked. I do miss his days off during the week though big time b/c so much more is falling on me (I'm home on Tues/Thurs). We also only had the twins in daycare 2 days a week. Well, my DH took a new position in Oct. and now he works 8-5. We do get to see him everynight, but the kids usually can't wait to have dinner till he gets home. They are starving by the time I pick them up from daycare. We had to add an extra day of daycare to cover my 3rd day of work (he always had Fri's off, so would watch them on that day that I was at work). The best part of it is being home EVERY single weekend. We as a family have never had that and it is just awesome. He's also home every single Holiday. We are about even with the amount of his promotion and the amount added for his insurance, extra driving and extra day of daycare. I guess that was a long winded way of saying there are some great advantages for both situations. If you don't feel the time is right for this new position it's ok. An interview is a chance for you to learn about the job and for them to get a feel for you as well. If they make an offer, there is nothing saying you have to accept it. Good luck with your decision. That's a tough one.
Thanks everyone for your replies. I decided not to take the job but to my surprise I guess I wasn't a sucessful canidate. Which is weird cause I was the only applicant but thats okay because It wasn't going to work out for us. I feel kinda stupid at work now though because I work with a small staff and they all know I didn't get it. They said I didn't have enough experience which is true since I have been off on two Mat leaves in the last 3 years!
I'm sorry things are awkward, but it sounds like it worked out for the best. And from a career-standpoint it never hurts to apply and interview, no matter the result. If nothing else, it gives you good experience with interviewing and lets people know you're interested in advancement!
