I have 3!!!!! jobs as an RN and don't mean to or need to HELP!!

[Antonia]

First off I was an RN working PRN 3 12-hour shifts at the hospital. It was grueling and fortunately I landed a part-time job with benefits as the occupational health nurse at a small company. I work Mon/Tues one week and Mon/Tues/Wed the other week and this alternates. I have a great boss and this job is very autonomous.

After I took that job I was still doing every Thursday at the hospital PRN. Well, I am an avid on-line newspaper reader and ended up with another PRN position at a urological surgery center about 20 minutes away. I do this job on Thursdays sometimes and every Friday - a very popular day for vasectomies may I add. This summer I am getting a lot of days due to filling in for vacations. I am the nurse who gives you a drink after your procedure and some crackers then hands you your clothes and gives post-op instructions and helps you to your car. It is a great little job.

I am STILL on the payroll at the hospital - I just never schedule myself to work. Amazingly, the hospital job is the least paying job of the three and the hardest and the dirtiest. Lately, they have been wanting me to work, but my other two jobs have prevented it. My father said to just tell them that I am unavailable M-F, can't work Saturdays and go to church on Sunday, but to call me if they need me any other day. Of course, he was just kidding. The hospital doesn't know about my 3rd job and I have been hesitant to just say "I quit" until I was sure I was sure about the 3rd job. Also, the nurses I ahve worked with the longest are at the hospital and it's kind of like leaving your friends. I am not good at moving on. I have lived in the same town 45 years and the same house the last 23.

I can't decide whether to just quit at the hospital and concentrate on my other two jobs - I would have every weekend off - or tell the hospital that I cannot work M-F EVER, but that I could work a rare Saturday. It may be best best just to quit altogether. MY DH says to quit. Anyone else ever had trouble just quitting a job?

 

[bevtoy]

When its time to go, I just go, but I give 2 weeks notice, its the professional thing to do and its usually best for them and me.

 

[tinkerrn]

GIRL!!!!!! As a fellow RN....I'd say "GOODBYE". Sounds as if you have found 2 great jobs! Nursing is very hard work, as you well know. I would just tell them that you have found 'other opportunities' and it' has been such a pleasure...blah, blah, blah'.
Enjoy the 2 jobs you have and try not to feel 'guilty';-). Sounds as if you have 'paid your due' and deserve these wonderful 'new opportunities'. You can always meet up with your friends for lunch and shopping.

OIk..I just reread your post. EVER WEEKEND OFF???????? YOu better take this while its still available. I will help you write your resignation letter..lol!!

It is hard to quit jobs, especially when you have worked somewhere for an extended amount of time. Quiting will be hard, but after a few weeks...ENJOYING those weekends with your DH...you will appreciate it.

I do have to add that having every weekend off as a nurse is VERY RARE AND VERY NICE!!!!!!! Good luck!!!!

 

[crz4mm2]

Dump the hospital. Do it now. Do not feel guilty. They would dump you in a heartbeat if the tables were turned.
Go with the two great jobs you love!

This from an "old" RN who has worked many, many thankless places...

 

[Antonia]

Thanks for all the advice. I especially loved "Dump the hospital. Do it now. Do not feel guilty." These are just the words I need to hear. You aren't my mom are you? She keeps asking if I've quit yet!

I believe I'll do it tomorrow - I will give a notice of course. I don't believe in burning bridges, but I hope I never return over that bridge. Really these two jobs are almost too good to be true in the field of nursing.

Lots of people at my church have been asking "where have you been? we haven't seen you at the hospital." They've made me feel a little guilty saying "oh, we miss you being there." And "we kept looking for you . . . blah blah blah."

But three jobs is more than the brain can fathom. And get this - I am an empty nester living in a paid for house. I think I just don't know what to do with myself. I'm sure not taking up golf with DH. I tried it and I didn't like it. Can you tell these are the ramblings of an empty nester gone mad?

 

[bevtoy]

Dump the hospital. Do it now. Do not feel guilty. They would dump you in a heartbeat if the tables were turned.
Go with the two great jobs you love!

This from an "old" RN who has worked many, many thankless places...

Isn't that the truth!

 

[DawnCt1]

KISS THAT HOSPITAL GOOD BYE!!! Occ Health is the best. I did it for 17 years. Loved it.

 

[jennobrn01]

Whoa those new jobs sound like d-r-e-a-m jobs! Quit the pit. I am in my 5th year of hospital nursing and would love to find a job like you have found. Hospital nursing makes you feel like a soul-less machine.

 

[MouseWorshipin]

When I quit my last job, I was nervous about leaving, and how I'd approch it. But I really needed to quit. So I worked up my nerve and said, "blah, blah, blah...so, I'm afraid I have to turn in my two weeks' notice. My last day would be blah-blah."

The boss told me, "No." That's all she said. I said, "No?"

"No," she replied, "I need you. We NEED you! You can't quit now. Maybe in July."

It took a really long time to convince her that I was quitting. She got mad, but eventually came to terms with it. I worked 3 1/2 weeks instead of two.

Here's hoping you have a better experience!!!!!!!!!!

 

[lizanne]

Wouldn't it be better to quit (give notice) now then to have them stop contacting you because you're never available.

You never know what the future will bring.

 

[crz4mm2]

Thanks for all the advice. I especially loved "Dump the hospital. Do it now. Do not feel guilty." These are just the words I need to hear. You aren't my mom are you? She keeps asking if I've quit yet!

I believe I'll do it tomorrow - I will give a notice of course. I don't believe in burning bridges, but I hope I never return over that bridge. Really these two jobs are almost too good to be true in the field of nursing.

Nope, not your mom, but I could play her if you want me to LOL. I don't believe in burning bridges either. I have been there sister. It sounds like you have not one but TWO dream jobs. Get rid of that hospital job 'stat'.
Good luck to you. You are one lucky empty nester!
Cathy

 

[mkymouse4ever]

26 yr vet (full time) hospital rn. I agree that your new jobs sound wonderful. But, I also agree with don't burn any bridges either.

Keep your skill set up too. Read your regular journals etc... . whatever; Just in case something changes at your new jobs and your only recourse is to return to the hospital. You never now. Surprisingly you say your making more in the new jobs. Around here it is the exact opposite. Hospital is almost twice as much as the other. I have orientated several rn's trying to return to the hospital after a few years and it is a real struggle with catching up on all the changes that occur constantly.

Good luck, and enjoy nursing. As nurses we all know what it is like to work in a hospital. The hours, pressures, etc......... are unbelievable. Lucky you to be "outta there".

 

[tinkerrn]

I agree with putting in your 2 weeks, but if you are PRN??? Do you really need too? Especially if you haven't signed up for any hours. A nice letter would be nice, a formaility to have them take you off their PRN pool. I did supervision for a while, if a PRN nurse didn't sign up for a certain amount of shifts per policy, they were let go. Find out what their policy is. Don't burn bridges, in this field you never know what can happen. Good Luck!!

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

As a PRN, I'm not sure you have to give a 2 week notice. Just tell the hospital you aren't available anymore.

As an RN who changes jobs every couple of years, I would have quit that hospital job in a heartbeat. Could you find me a job at that urology center?

Good Luck!

 

[princesspumpkin]

Before you reign, make sure that you tell them that you're available to attend any and all parties (holidays, wedding and baby showers, etc). There's your way of staying connected

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Well I actually still enjoy my hospital job after 18 years, but I'm lucky to work a pretty nice schedule now, so I actually like going to work!

I would say go about resigning in the proper way, and if you ever wanted/needed to go back there, I'm sure they'd be happy to have you back.

Good luck!

 

[Antonia]

Hello - I am resigning next week and like many of you pointed out - with being PRN and not having signed up for any shifts recently - I probably could do a nice letter. I do feel like they would take me back, but I hope that never has to happen.

I worked the urology job today. What a nice bunch of nurses to work with and even the patients are nice. I get to get them out of there after their procedures and they just thank me over and over and telll me how nice everyone has been. That so rarely happened at the hospital. And I hardly ever hear a complaint! It is a dream job in the field of nursing.

My other job - occupational health is good, too. I feel very fortunate.