Help me sort my thoughts- re: poss new job

[psyched]

I'll try to keep it short.
When I passed nclex, I was highly preg with ds and having a hard time finding a job. we needed money. Local psych hospital hired me and I've been there since though my real passion is women's health. I've been there almost two years.
I don't love it (as you've seen from other threads) bec the nursing staff doesn't care about the nurses at all (seriously, I went into an SVT rhythym one day at work and the ADON wasn't sure she wanted to let me go to the ER ) and I don't really connect with the patients - not neccesarily being racist/prejudiced but they're mostly drug addicted teens who I have nothing in common with and while I am able to be friendly with all, and connect to SOME I'm not really a master at de-escalating their agitation bec we don't have real relationship. I cannot connect with them.
Good parts of job: it's 15-20 min drive, day shift, 3 days a week, small intimate hospital.

NEW JOB POSSIBILITY:
This is so exciting, but a well known hospital is opening a psych unit for FRUM patients. They're just starting out and don't know the exact details, but it will be a kosher unit with davening time, and ability to use tefillin etc in view of staff (cuz it's a suicide risk) and shabbos program, etc. I would be ideal for them bec I'm a FRUM psych nurse. I interviewed with them the other day.
It's very exciting and I feel that maybe this is why Hashem put me in a psych position to begin with, so I can help fellow Jews.

BUT:
I'm scared. It's a big, prestigious hospital, I'm used to a small, 5 unit one. I'm afraid I'll get lost, not know who to ask what... I'm afraid of starting over, I guess. The pay is SLIGHTLY more than I'm getting now, and it would be full time 12 hr shifts which is more hours=more money. But the travel time is 40-50 minutes including $11 in tolls round trip. I'm currently a 1199 member so don't pay a/t for insurance and no copays and if I take this job insurance is 120/month and prob copays, I assume.

I'm confused and nervous.
Anyone with any outsider insight?

[achot]

Of course you are nervous, change is always scary, we think better the devil we know.... but I plead with you to read your previous posts, you HATED your present job, dont start sugar coating it now,
There is nothing scary about working in a big, prestigious hospital, in fact you will have more to learn there, more mentors, more options, if you have to call in there is more staff to cushion it etc,
Dont' worry about getting lost, focus on your daled amos, the rest will fall in place, in no time it will feel like home.
Will working 12 hour shifts be a problem for Shabbat or for your husband and family? if not, then it balances the increased distance, dont forget you are working 1 and a half shifts for every 40 min drive. Get some good CD's for the ride, (shiurim or music...)
I agree with your analysis that Hashem might have put you in a psych position (albeit miserable one ) for this reason. Many of us end up in fields we would not have picked le'chatcheela but find it fits us well.
What a zechus to help these jewish teens, you can probably be a big help to their families as well by understanding their needs on such a basis (even if a christian nurse learns all about SHabbat, Tznius, Tefilla etc, it wont be the same)
I too was in a position that I hated( they treated me like garbage) , I had a young son and because of my husband we moved so I was a half hour distance from home, when a local(5 minutes drive) Jewish run ( really nice people) facility offered me a better position, more money and better conditions (flexibility- but more work) . You'd"ve thought I would have jumped at the opportunity, and I still was afraid of failure, my husband encouraged me and I was so happy I changed, I really enjoyed my new job and it fit better. So I encourage you to ask your husband what he thinks as he is a partner in this too. (affects him as well)
GOOD LUCK
tell us how it works out!!

[Rivka P]

this new job opportunity sounds like it's min hashamayim. I agree that it seems like you ended up in psych in order to have the experience to help start this frum psych unit. Go for it!

[psyched]

I hear what you guys are saying, but the more Ithink about it, the more I think it's a bad idea.
The drive will be insane in the winter with the snow. It will take forever.
We're thinking of moving to passaic sometime in the near future- that will make it a WAY long trip- almost impossible. Plus, it will leave me as a very experienced psych nurse. That's it. That's not what I want to do forever.
Financially- it makes no sense -we'll be making less and I'll be working longer. I'll be away 14 hours at a time. I won't see my kids for days... (new thread, coming soon!)

[Rivka P]

wait, I thought it's more pay and more hours which also equals more pay. I am confused.

[achot]

whoa! thats a horse of a different color... I also thought the pay would be more bcause of the increased hours. You gotta siddown with a pro and con list and work it out.
Regarding your move to Possaic, if you do indeed move, you can consider looking around for something closer when you move. You are not married to your job,
would your current job be close to Possaic?

[psyched]

Ok- to clarify: It's the same amount of pay per hour BUT it would be full time so theoretically I'm making more cuz I'm working more. OK.
But I think bec of all the added expenses the job will bring, I'll end up making the same amount of money (or near it) while working more hours. My current job is closER to passaic. Here's the list:

Pro:
-helping klal yisrael in a way that nobody has every done before as far as I know in the USA
-becoming part of a prestigious hospital network
-possibly less dangerous than my current job bec the patients will be adults and most are prob not gang members
-if they find any other frum nurses- it would be wonderful to work with someone frum

CONS:
-Longer drive, probably more likely to be snowy in the winter than my current place of work (it rarely snows much here) = more difficult commute
-$11 toll daily + gas expenses
-more expensive medical insurance + copays
-dh thinks that 12 hours shifts may be difficult on the kids bec they basically won't see me at all those days.

4 and 4. It's tied.

[psyched]

I thought of another "pro". It's alternating day/evening shifts (either 7a - 7p, or alternatively, 11A - 11 P) so on the evening shifts I would see my children in the morning.

[achot]

I can think of another pro-
you will be happier and more satisfied in your work/career which will make you a better mother, and this job does not preclude you from looking for something better - closer, not in psych etc.
Working 2 jobs in psych does not pigeon hole you as a psych only nurse.
You did not list the biggest con- reread your previous posts, you were miserable in your current job, dont forget that.
BTW 12 hr shifts mean working fewer days per week thats fewer commutes. I love my 12 hr shifts, I do come home tired but...then I have another day off! :-)
You will have to be careful driving home after a 12 hr shift- have strong mint candies in the car etc.

[Rivka P]

psyched, are you currently working in Pennsylvania?

[psyched]

um, no.
WHY?

[Rivka P]

oh just because I thought you were. oops