Exploring idea of clinic nursing

[italianrn07]

Hi all, I'm currently working on a busy neuro/ortho/trauma unit at a hospital and before that worked on a rehabilitation unit at a hospital. I liked my job with rehab patients but left due to issues with my day/night rotation (got sick of it ruining my health) and management issues. My current job is causing me a lot of anxiety and depression. I'm on a PM shift which I like a lot more than the rotating, but not sure if it's where I belong. I get worried/nervous the night before or day before I know I have to work and it's gotten so bad I've been seeing a counselor about anxiety/depression. I hope it's just from being the new nurse and normal fears of not knowing everyone and the doctors. Anyway, after this experience with my new job I am questioning whether I am just not meant to work in a hospital setting with that amount of stress and have been exploring the option of an outpatient setting or clinic nursing. Has anyone out there who is now a clinic nurse worked in a hospital and struggled and thought it wasn't for them? I guess I'm wondering if it's just from still only have been a nurse for a little over a year and inexperienced that is causing these feelings, or if I haven't found my "niche" yet and need to move on to something else. THanks.

[mmvhardy]

I know exactly how you feel because I have been on my unit for 3 months and recently decided that the clinic environment would be best for me. A lot of my classmates have been experiencing the same anxiety and depression that you are going through and most of them are trying to stick it out. I was not happy at the end of the day and believe that life is too short to be miserable. So do what is right for you and weigh the pros and cons of both settings. There are so many opportunities in nursing so just remember you are not stuck; you are not trapped; and you do have OPTIONS. Good Luck!!

[italianrn07]

Thank you for the encouragement.