I am a new grad and think I don't want to take a bedside RN job, advice please.

Nurses New Nurse

Published

I graduated in December with my BSN, and recently passed the NCLEX. I am sorry to say that after all of my hard work, I am not exactly excited or feeling passionate about nursing. During nursing school there were many occasions where I felt I simply didn't like the job and would hate every day of working as a bedside RN. I ignored these feelings so I could maintain the focus that was needed to get through my accelerated BSN program. I also worked as a nurse extern/glorified CNA at a teaching hospital during my program, and hated the job 90% of the time. I am now worried about committing to a new grad job that I am not excited about.

I have another bachelors degree and worked in a technical outside sales position for a few years before going back for nursing. At this moment I feel I might prefer to work in that type of position more than working as an RN. My base salary in sales was equal to what I will be making as a new RN and the job is less stressful, smelly, mentally, physically and emotionally exhausting...the list goes on. I remember why I left that type of job, it always felt trivial and I wanted to get more meaning and personal satisfaction out of a job. To me nursing seemed like it would be a challenging and rewarding job, and it would satisfy what I was missing.

I am writing to ask for advice. Could it be that the CNA job I genuinely disliked has clouded my idea of what it will be like to work as a RN? Maybe I am just very burnt out from the nursing school experience. I have felt this way for so long, hoping that something would change in me once I graduated and was working as an RN. I could probably get a medical device/pharmaceutical sales job pretty fast if I wanted to. Or I could take a new grad job, which I would put 100% into and fulfill my commitment(2 years). I am afraid of making a bad decision for the long term, and also for my own personal happiness. If I don't work in bedside nursing now, could I come back to it later? Thank you for any input.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think after all that effort you need to actually work as an RN before giving up on it. Don't quit before you start.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

One key point about those non-bedside Nursing Jobs is that they require experience … at the bedside. Only you can decide if nursing is for you; however, keep in mind that one of the great things about nursing is the variety. I work OR- for me it's a perfect fit as it's a 1:1 ratio, patients are asleep, and families are nonexistent for the majority of the time (only see them briefly in preop). Would I still be a nurse if I'd started in a med/surg unit? Probably not, because I realized in nursing school that it definitely wasn't the specialty for me. It could be you just need to find your niche in nursing or it could be that nursing isn't what you thought it would be and it isn't your cup of tea.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You may find yourself surprised. Nursing is so varied that even similar units at different facilities can bring an entirely different experience. I went through school hating the areas of my clinicals. I wanted nothing to do with adults. Ever. I knew that going in and it maintained to the end. I love the (bedside) job I'm in now - Peds on a busy Ortho/Trauma/Med/Surg/Neuro/everythingbutthekitchensink unit. Do I LIKE it every shift? Gosh no. It's HARD on so many levels. Nursing school is just trying to keep your head above water. Try out something bedside that you think might sort of maybe interest you. Get some experience in and go from there. You don't have to - and probably will not - stay at bedside forever. I'd hate to see you waste all that hard work. You went to nursing school for a reason - remember that and hold onto whatever that is.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I started as a Correctional Nurse doing sick call. Generally healthy people with minor problems, triage for the ones that actually have a bigger problem. Addiction, Psych issues, some trauma. I see a lot of different things. And many facilities will hire new grads

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you all for taking the time to reply, I appreciate your insight. I have a feeling I'd deeply regret it later if I didn't give working as an RN a chance. I genuinely hope that to find an area that I like and will be excited about. I find the ED or maybe corrections to be more interesting than inpatient floor nursing, so hopefully I will be able to get a job in one of those areas and love it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You could also look into nurse informatics. There are many EMR companies who want RN's to be able to teach, implement, and/or troubleshoot facility EMR programs.

Case management is also a thought. Again, lots of computer work, medical billing/coding. Or even nurse education.

The other thought is go back to you former position, and then apply for and see if you could work part time or per diem as an RN. Floor nursing is not for everyone, and fortunately, there's tons of other options in nursing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If you can pay your bills without going near the bedside, why would you? Rock on!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
If you can pay your bills without going near the bedside, why would you? Rock on!

I do think bedside is important, even crucial for lots of those non bedside jobs.

It teaches you hands on, how do deal with families and doctors, the grind itself, the admission and discharge process. Why wouldn't you want to do bedside, at least for a bit, is my question?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Family Practice.

Nursing is very diverse!!!! Just figure out what interest you and take it from there. There is no written law you must do bedside nursing. :-) Just because the majority of new graduates go into acute care as bedside nurses does not mean it is the way to go. It is simply the path of the least resistance. I can't speak for everyone but with 15 years under my belt I am so done with bedside I have made it my mission to pursue other endeavors. So go for it!!!! :yeah:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I do think bedside is important, even crucial for lots of those non bedside jobs.

It teaches you hands on, how do deal with families and doctors, the grind itself, the admission and discharge process. Why wouldn't you want to do bedside, at least for a bit, is my question?

You're very right, you have to deal with it to get into better fields quite often. OP needs an end-goal in mind, in that case.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Mpved to First Year After Nursing Licensure

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment