Advice on a work situation needed.

I'm a nurse that works for a large, urban hospital in a somewhat specialized area. While I like what I'm doing, there's other floors within my specialty that I'd also be happy to move in. My problem for the past year has been my schedule. All my kids are in school, but the younger two are only 6 and 9, therefore they obviously can't be left unattended. I'm officially a "40 hour day/evening rotator" meaning I can pretty much be scheduled anytime between 7am and 11pm (I also work an occasional night shift). There's no way of anything being predictable long term (I often don't know my schedule until two weeks before) and this is just too hard (and too expensive daycare-wise with kids- we're having trouble saving anything and we desperately need a house instead of this dinky ass condo we're in!). Fortunately both my husband and ex-husband have been flexible and helpful, but I've needed something to change for awhile. I've spoken to my manager repeatedly about the possibility of different hours repeatedly and have been told what I'm looking for (3- 12 hour night shifts, 36hrs/week) will not a possibility anytime in the foreseeable future.

A position on another larger floor that is within my general specialty opened up Friday as an internal posting (the hours I want, plus every third weekend instead of every other). I spent yesterday filling out the required forms to transfer, as well as updating my resume, and those are sent (will arrive in HR Monday). I am very qualified and I anticipate a reasonably strong chance of getting the position. I'm already getting extremely nervous regarding how people will react. The floor I'm on is losing a part-time nurse, one full-timer's going on maternity (and rumored to not return full-time), and another full-timer is moving out of state. If I leave, it will be even harder. The thing is that many people will take it very personally and I don't look forward to the potential hostility (yes, I'm being a wuss). Since I also won't be leaving the hospital and these units are in the same division, I will occasionally be floating to this unit again even if I transfer.

I have to do what's best for both me and my family for the long term and I'm ok with that, but knowing my leaving will make a difficult situation a bit more difficult for everyone (I like most of the people I work with) is causing me a lot of guilt, stress, whatever. :banghead: I guess I'm mainly just venting (even though I know I'm fortunate to have options in this economy- I do work my ass off if that helps any).

I think most reasonable people will understand this. Recently we had a coworker leave and transfer to another department, leaving us short handed in many ways. But everybody was happy that at least she was staying with the company so we can see her from time to time.
Maybe thats how a lot of people will feel..glad you will be around so they can see you still...:)

I think it's that damned mid-western Protestant work ethic I was raised with which is sometimes good, other times a little self-detrimental. :)

If there's any anger among your colleagues, it should be directed at those responsible for staffing your floor, shift and specialty, not at you for doing what's best for you and your family. I know you care a lot about your colleagues, but if they care about you, they'll understand that you work your butt off for the patients, the facility and your family; aspiring to better personal and professional circumstances isn't a crime against your colleagues.

Sending you good vibes for peace of mind. :hug: :hug:

There's lots of people unhappy with the way the schedule is run on my floor. Essentially, it's pretty much impossible for people with children (except for the nurse who makes out the entire schedule and has her mother in law available to babysit for free, I'm the only nurse with kids that works this God awful full time day/evening rotating thing). Everyone else either has no children or has grown children. The younger nurses with no kids see their friends on other floors working 3- 12's and only every third weekend and aren't so happy either. They're going to start losing more people until it gets better I'm afraid.

When I got married I asked my employer of the time for a few extra days off. The response from the personnel manager was "Don't let your marriage interfere with your job!"

It was good advice and I quit the company three months later. My Wife and I are coming up on our 30th Anniversary later this year.

She was cremated in February and her birthday is at the end of May which is when we're having her service. I needed to switch one Saturday and it was like pulling teeth to get it with 3 months notice, yet they gave someone else a vacation that same week. :eyes:

if you have the opportunity to make the choices you want/need in this life, then go for it. It's honourable that you feel a sense of loyalty, but you are paid for staffing. Leave that up to Human Resources. :)

(My husband will read this and say, "Sometimes?") ;)

is an asshat and their opinion is not worth worrying about.

If this department needs to keep you badly, they should look into finding a schedule that works better for you. Otherwise, you have every reason to request transfer to the position that better meets your needs, and nobody with any sense could blame you for doing so.

I've thought about that. Unfortunately, I think if they make the changes I need, unless their made for everyone, it's not going to be a good situation. Plus, I prefer to work nights and much the night staff on my floor aren't very nice people (whereas the ones on the unit I'm trying to go to were extremely welcoming whenever I've had to float there).

You're right. Kids have to come first. Plus, from a lactivist standpoint, I can finally get on the path to becoming IBCLC certified (I know your one person who knows what I'm talking about).

Hope that works out for you. :thumbsup:

More time with your kids is a very good thing. :hug:

I'm just being neurotic about it. :D

You'll be fine. You're a wonderful, competent nurse. They would be crazy to mess with you. :hug:

"I have to do what's best for both me and my family for the long term" Anyone that is worth being on good terms with, will understand. Those that don't... to hell with them

:shrug: I don't get it.

It would be stupid of your co-workers to take it as a personal affront that you're wanting to improve your life.

If they do, then that's THEIR problem.

My two cents. Good for you for doing what you need to do. :thumbsup:

One of my co-workers just changed her work hours in order to stay home with her baby more. We were already short-staffed and now we're kinda fucked, but we all understand that she had to do it for her well-being and it's fine. We're adults and we can adjust...her baby can't.

She will still be working with us one day a week, so she was kinda in the same position you're in, had we been less understanding.