Opportunity costs?

I had my review yesterday and it was more positive than I could have reasonably expected.  I guess we are our own harshest critics, but it was nice to hear how your peers/supervisors perceive your work.  As for what it means monetarily, who knows?  Generally it just appears in the next paycheck if there is a raise associated.  I have no idea how that is figured out, nor does anyone else outside of HR it appears.  In the end, Tia and I both got stellar reviews (with Tia locking up a promotion as well) and neither of us has any idea if or what it will mean to our financial situation.

There appears to be a number of opportunities coming up at my job (speculatively), but all with possible drawbacks.

1. We have had a floor nurse out on leave for better than 6 months now.  Evidently her time is up and they are finally able to cut the cord.  However, they envision the position as a pediatric position as well as adults.  It was intimated to me that, were I interested, it would be a position I could move into and that, in regards to job security, it is as secure as it gets.  However, the idea of sticking kids with needles and placing lines in month old babies is off putting in the least and terrifying in general.  Plus, it would mean 4-10 hour days that rotate bi-weekly including every other weekend.  This would mean more days in daycare for Mr. Q.  Well, at least we would have to pay for more days (he would only need to attend 2 days one week and three the next, a next 'gain' of one extra day every 2 weeks).  It would cost us as additional $380/month, but I would more than make up for that with my extra hours and the slight addition of weekend pay.  But I would lose half my weekends with the family and that would be a huge bummer.  Plus it would largely take me away from the clinic.  But Tia could possibly cut back to three days a week then.

2.  The new RN I trained, who is excellent btw, is evidently going to relocate back to Texas.  And this is going to happen very soon as she is turning in her notice on Friday.  This of course could mean that they will need a new full time staff person there (assuming they replace the position) and that I could slide back into the clinic.  This would be a better reassurance that I will have a position and that it will stay very local, but would necessitate that Q go to daycare M-Th every week (definitely not ideal) or we could look to a nanny, which would be better than daycare but a LOT more expensive.  Plus there is always....

3.  The clinic buyout which has been rumored and speculated upon since last summer is still lurching its way forward like one of the Night of the Living Dead zombies.  The rumor mill still has much grist to grind upon, with the latest being that all clinics will flip over at the same time vs. a few at a time.  So, the clinic position might not buy me any additional time in Legacy.  But, perhaps this is a good thing?  There is the possibility that the move to OHSU would be a positive one.  Though it is likely to mean a pay cut of some degree (though I doubt an overly large one), it would afford me the opportunity to learn chemotherapy regimens and get certified as an oncology RN.  I have no particular interest in that, but it would make me much more hire-able should we relocate.  Plus, it is likely the benefits and retirement are at least on par with, if not superior to, the ones offered at Legacy.  There is also the possibility that it will be a game of musical chairs with more RNs than positions available.  If that is the case, I have the least seniority of any of the clinic nurses.

4.  The possibility that, if the buyout occurs, they will likely offer a take it or leave it deal.  Meaning, they will come to the affected staff and say "here is the offer to go to the new clinics or you can take a buyout (generally one week of pay per year of service)"  This would allow me to (at least based on past instances from co-workers) collect unemployment and take Q out of daycare completely.  The downside to this is that it also may make it harder for me to get back into the field down the line.  Also, can I handle being a full time stay at home dad?  Plus, Tia would then need to go back to work full time (an option she is mulling presently anyway).  I might also finally be able to take a fair amount of time off and fly out to Florida to visit my family (though the idea of flying with an infant is terrifying.......I might need a sedative)

 So, while all speculative at the moment, it appears there will be much to consider in the coming month(s).  Should be interesting.

Q is starting to rock back and forth in an effort to crawl.  Mobility is imminent.  This will surely be novel, but we will have to keep a sharp eye on the little fellow.  He is continuing to get more and more, dare I say, fun to be around.  He still takes every bit of energy you have, and it is crazy difficult on the days you aren't feeling up to snuff, but for the most part these aren't problems related to him so much as they are things about me.  I certainly try my best and it is getting easier than it was.   It is fun to watch him grow and change and play.  Now if the weather would just shape up a bit and warm up so we can go outside and enjoy it!

I better finish this and eat before Q awakens and I lose the opportunity.  Going to try to take him to the soaking pool today.  He loves it!  It isnt the pool part that concerns me, but the to and from really.  Wish me luck.