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Do you regret clinic nursing?



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Oct 20, 2006 05:36 PM

Do you regret clinic nursing?

by SpudID

Dear All,

I am 9 mo post graduation w/ a BSN (and prior BS in education). I thought I would love L & D nursing and am working at a high-risk, high-volume hospital with a short staff. I LOVE my patients and working with them but the stress is overwhelming. I am afraid all the time. My body won't adjust to nights and working the weekends and holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's) is a bummer. I have to apply for vacation 6 mo out and I am always being the called the days I am off. I feel guilty when I say no because I know what it feels like to juggle so many patients.

I would like to go to clinic nursing but have heard from so many older nurse friends to stay at least 1-2 years. I would leave my position not feeling entirely competent and colleagues tell me to that things will get better by 1 year. I am afraid to leave and afraid to stay.

How did you decide to go to clinic nursing? Was it hard to make the switch? did you wish that you had not? I feel so forlorn.

I have volunteered with families for 6 years assisting with birth as labor support. I went to nursing school knowing that my only pathway was L & D. Yet, here I am 9 mo later wishing that I had not even considered nursing. Can someone give some advice?

Thanks so much,

SpudId.

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9 Comments
No. 1
from JentheRN05
Old Oct 20, 2006, 07:48 PM

Default Re: Do you regret clinic nursing?
I went into office nursing less than 1 year after graduation. I graduated in May of 2005. Went through 2 different hospitals (long story don't want to go into it AGAIN) but at the end I was working nights and was killing me slowly. I happened to come across a doctors office needing an RN by chance and took the job. So I worked both for about 1 month. Then quit the hospital job and worked in the office full time. I don't think I had ANY adjustment problems. So don't worry about that. It was easy for me. Much slower and easier to handle. No where NEAR as stressful and weekends/holidays off
Good Luck!
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No. 2
from LadyT618
Old Oct 20, 2006, 11:13 PM

Default Re: Do you regret clinic nursing?
Hi JentheRN,

When I look at the amount of specialties you've been thru in just a year and a half, I don't feel so bad after all. We all have to find out niche and instead of staying in a place where you feel uncomfortable or just plain "not feeling the unit," one must move on and try something else. I've been a nurse for 1 year and 4 months there about, and I've been thru critical care to the OR back to critical care and on my way to home health. I'm hoping that's where I'll be happy, once and for all.
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No. 3
from SpudID
Old Oct 24, 2006, 10:58 AM

Default Re: Do you regret clinic nursing?
Thanks so much for your responses. It is amazing that the 2 of you have such a broad variety of experiences just 1.4-2 yrs post graduation. It is encouraging. I continue to vascillate but things are getting a little better. I continue to read the want ads and will apply if a clinic job that interests me comes open. After my weird orientation experience and a noncollaborative feel on my unit, I am retiscent to try something else. I don't want to go through the "hazing" and unfamiliarity all over again.

Anyhow, I really appreciated your input.

Thanks!
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No. 4
from LisaCRN05
Old Oct 24, 2006, 10:02 PM

Default Re: Do you regret clinic nursing?
It's funny you ask that question. I have been a nurse for a year and a half and have tried oncology, long-term care, travel assignments and I have been offered a job in a pedi office. Here I am a week away and am already hired at the VA to start Monday. I keep thinking I will miss the floor nursing but part of me thinks 5 weeks vacation, 10 paid holidays, true pension...is that worth more? But clinical was NOT a regret. I learned soooo much. Getting that experience in allows you to feel more confident about applying for different jobs (like I did). You can always try something and if you don't like it, you can always go back to the hospital. Good luck!
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No. 5
from ms_orion
Old Oct 29, 2006, 01:06 PM

Default Re: Do you regret clinic nursing?
I have been a nurse in family practice/internal medicine for 13 years and I love it. I am moving soon though...and I am concerned. The place that I am moving to use medical assistants and LPN's in the office. My option is the hospital and I am concerned that they won't be interested in me because of my lack of hospital experience...any suggestions?
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No. 6
from KnoxWarEagle
Old Dec 09, 2006, 12:23 AM

Default Re: Do you regret clinic nursing?
I love working in the office. I worked Critical care for years until I had my children and then I went to surgery. After being tied to the hospital with a pager I asked around and found out about a great office in town. They wern't hiring at the time but I went by every couple of months until one day they called and needed someone ASAP. I worked there for 4 years then went into Pharmaceutical Sales for 3 years. I missed it so much I went back...paycut and all!
All I can say is go with your gut. If it doesn't feel right then it isn't. Don't be afraid of new opportunities. It is better to be the new guy in a great place then the seasoned vet on a bad team. Good luck!
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No. 7
from augigi
Old Dec 09, 2006, 03:51 AM

Default Re: Do you regret clinic nursing?
Originally Posted by SpudID View Post
I am always being the called the days I am off. I feel guilty when I say no because I know what it feels like to juggle so many patients.
Off-topic, but why do YOU feel guilty that the hospital does not pay for adequate staffing? If you say no, and everyone else says no, they would have to pay for more staff. They rely on this "guilt complex" to excuse their budgeting!
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No. 8
from dream'n
Old Dec 10, 2006, 11:02 PM

Default Re: Do you regret clinic nursing?
I went into office nursing for the hours; M-F 8-5. I also enjoy having a relationship with my patients, over the long-term. It is also nice being able to build a closer teamwork relationship with the Dr., becoming his right hand man (women) so to speak.
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No. 9
from ExprisonRN
Old Dec 12, 2006, 02:40 PM

Default Re: Do you regret clinic nursing?
Don't be strapped into the idea that one year of this or that is needed to be a competent RN. I've seen experienced ICU nurses look dumb-founded when entering new areas. Each specialty is unique and has it's own set of knowledge and skills. While more experience might make it easier to transfer to other areas, a RN who is thorough and has common sense will be able to learn any specialty.

I am currently making a shift from dialysis and prison nursing into a hospital urgent care clinic. Two other experienced RNs and myself are being trained by a MA in medical office procedures. To tell you the truth it is alot of fun. Outpatient setting with hospital pay!!!

I am not a traditional RN; I have never worked med/surg and received my RN from home study through Excelsior College. Nursing is changing; going more outpt, more follow-up, more patient education.

So don't worry about experience, it will come from many avenues, and find something you like. There is enough RN specialties for everyone.
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