Working on the Weekend

Dear Amy,

I am needing advice on the opportunity of taking a second job. I am starting a nurse residency program as a new grad nurse next week. I will be working three 12 hour shifts a week. For the first 6 weeks I will be training on day shift and then I will begin working night shift. My second job opportunity is at my favorite retail store. In the past few months I have been entertaining the idea of working a few hours a week through the holidays at this retail store. This store was my first job out of high school and I worked a total of 3 years with the company before going to nursing school. I stopped by the store to buy a few items and I mentioned casually to an associate that was training on the register that I loved working there and miss it from time to time. The woman training her said to me that they were hiring seasonal staff and that I should speak with the manager. The manager happened to be in the store that day so I went ahead and asked what she had available. She said she had one position left to fill and it is a position that would be a few hours a week, flexible hours, and needed an experienced worker. Ding ding! Exactly what I am wanting. I told her that I was possibly interested and requested an application to take home and think about. I will be meeting her in a few days for an interview. If I am offered the job do you think I should take it? It would be very fun for me and I enjoy working but do you think it will be too much on top of a new career? Do you think I will be over working myself? Nursing is going to be extremely stressful, do you think having this fun second job will burn me out or help relieve some stress?

Dear Working,

     So, you like to be busy then eh? I’d say that whether or not you should take the job depends greatly on the kind of person you are. As an experienced juggler, I can tell you that the first thing that gets compromised is sleep. But then again, its only a few hours a week right? So let’s see, some people read for fun. Some watch TV. Some scrapbook, cook, run, hike, garden, party. People find fun in a lot of different places and if you feel like this second job would be a fun way to spend your non-nursing time then I say go for it with the following stipulation…if you start feeling overwhelmed, it has to be the first thing to go. You’re fresh out of school and starting a new career so that has to be the priority.
     If the retail job helps you relieve stress, that’s great – and a good chance to earn a little extra money can’t hurt. But if you’re not going to be willing to let it go (if necessary) then it might be better to get started in your nursing program and see how it goes before getting involved in something else. If, on the other hand, you can take a really honest look at your life and make modifications accordingly…then do it!
     Luckily, you have experience with this company and you probably have a pretty clear idea about what you’re getting yourself into so if the promise of fun outweighs the fear of overdoing it, give yourself permission to take the job. You won’t be the first or last person to juggle jobs (and life) and honestly, your nursing schedule might just support your new retail hobby quite perfectly.

Best of luck,
Amy