Paramedic->RN->Post Op Med Surg-

[Tarmstrong]

Hello Everyone,

I have enjoyed reading the various post and gathering insight. I am 6 months on a post op medical surgical floor after 12 years as a medic. Can someone suggest a possible better floor or speciality area for me?

I dread this job- I use to love a challenge, now I am burn out. I am finding myself too stressed during and after work to interact with my family who deserves the best.

I can think "inside" the box as medics turned RN say but I feel like I have made a "step down" in my career. (That is the hardest thing to say.) I dont want to insult anyone, I know I havent found my niche and would love some suggestions so I can work towards finding that niche and be the patient advocate and excellent Nurse I know I can be.

Second question- I have other floors that have "teased" about recruiting me because I am a very hard worker with excellent ethics. How long do you stay in a position/floor before moving up? Everyone seems to have different time frames. I want to "pay back" my floor for hiring me and getting my foot in the door but I dont want to spend another 6 months crying on the drive home or having to get on medication to help me survive since my BP has sky rocketed and the increased workout regimins are not cutting the cake. Hmm cake...he he

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

i say only stay 6 months...

i want to "pay back" my floor for hiring me and getting my foot in the door but i dont want to spend another 6 months crying on the drive home or having to get on medication to help me survive since my bp has sky rocketed and the increased workout regimins are not cutting the cake. hmm cake...he he

oh, look, you already did that!!!! great! now it is time to give that floor the middle finger and go.

you should have no guilt if your bps and your overall health is suffering working there... plus, there are people who notice your promise and may be willing to give you a chance!!! besides, your facility is not losing you so you are not going to lose too much in way of orienting on another floor.

btw, there is no hospital floor that is stress free. especially not another med sur floor or the er or icu (yes, i know you have 12 years as a medic but i promise you that it is not the same as being a nurse, ask other former medics). however, there are areas that are less stressful then others (i hear) such as a low acuity pre-op or, low acuity pacu to include outpatient sx, and a low acuity postpartum unit.

personally, if i had your medical problems i would not work bedside.... i would work for an insurance company, or as a telephone advice nurse, or go into informatics nursing... i would do anything but put up with bedside nursing. gl!

[none the wiser]

What do you find stressful?