I Hate My Current Job!!

For those changing careers to go into nursing, how do you

stay motivated? I work in corporate america and I absolutely

cannot stand it. I feel like a square peg in a round hole, like I

just don't fit in. I am finishing up my prereqs for nursing and I

really, really enjoy my classes. Granted they may be hard and

sometimes stressful, but it is so interesting to me. I cannot wait

to get into clinicals and finally get my RN. I have 3 years until

this happens while working at my current job. I am just trying to stay motivated, three years seems like forever.

Try not to look too far ahead or you'll find yourself getting so anxious that you neglect your current studies.. happens to me all the time.

Concentrate on getting the A as the prize for each class. If you focus on that as your goal, instead of "are we there yet?" you'll be much more successful.

I struggle too though.

Thanks! That's good advice. I just need to slow my roll.:)

No problem.. I noticed you're 31. I feel as I approach 30 a greater sense of urgency in school. I want everything done yesterday. It gets hard.

It doesn't sound like you need motivating (it looks like "I Hate My Current Job!!" IS you motivation). You may need some work on being PATIENT. :) I can relate, since I've still got a ways to go getting my prerequisites out of the way before I even start the actual nursing courses.

Since it's going to be a while, you've got to learn to pace yourself. If you get all worked up and ready to bolt out the door tomorrow, you're going to make yourself (and the people in your life) miserable. You've got to work on being content where you are. Don't get caught up in an over-romanticized view of nursing (i.e., "If I could just get OUT of this job and INTO nursing, THEN I'd be happy").

Also, don't forget that you don't have to be in a classroom to learn about nursing and nurses. This website is a great resource, and there are a LOT of books and journals that can help you continue to learn. Use the time to learn as much as you can, so that when you start school, you'll be able to "hit the ground running", so to speak.

Thanks! I guess I need to be snapped back into reality from

time to time. Thanks for replying.

great advice.. ill take a spoonful

Pbrookes:

- You mentioned that "I hate my job".

- I too feel the same way (perhaps not as strongly). But I do hate being in a cubicle all day.

- My motivation. I am keeping my current job, and use that as a motivator to study.

- Right now, I am getting impatient. We are on a 3 week break between classes. I actually spent about 5 hours today hitting the A&P texts (I have syllabus for next semester).

- Also, I plan on doing the travel nurse thing. Part of my dream entails purchasing an old Greyhound type bus and having it converted into a motorhome (or buying one already converted). Then, using that for both nursing and fly-fishing.

----------

- For me, going into nursing is not ALL about the money. I will make 1/2 in nursing what I do in the computer field.

- It's more of a qualify of life issue for me. I see these folks with 30 to 40 yrs experience in this place. They all look like crap. They never took care of themselves. They walk around like they are homeless (you know - the homeless person shuffle - get there when they get there).

- Also, I absolutely hate Evansville, Indiana. I moved here from Denver -- due to layoffs. Was only place I could find work in my specialty (Java programming - have MS-Comp Sci).

- So, instead of complaining and doing nothing. I decided that I would teach Comp Sci classes 1 or 2 evenings a week, and go for a nursing degree.

-----------

- Next year (June 2004), I will start flying every other weekend from Evansville, In to Syracuse, NY for clinicals. This way, I can maintain my current employment and do the nursing thing.

- About 1/2 way through nursing school (June 2005), I will make the big decision on whether to combine the two fields, or totally walk away from comp sci.

- Seriously, I am absolutely sick of corporate america and its utter b.s. I love to program --- nothing like a case of pepsi, a few bags of doritos and dip, and a few all night programming sessions.

- I want to be independent of corporate america - and want to do the travel nurse thing.

- If I somehow manage to get the CRNA thing out of the way - then I plan on doing traveling CRNA "locum tennis" . Probably killed the spelling there.

------------

- Right now, I find it incredibly easy to study. It's finding the actual time that gets a little hairy.

- Hope this helps answer your question.

John Coxey

([email protected])

I came from Corporate America as well... the thought of going BACK there was enough to keep me motivated. Blehhhh... now.. the dress clothes are saved for church, interviews, etc. - NOT WORK! I got soooo sick of the rat race, the politics, etc. Not to say there won't be that in nursing, but at least what I'm doing is to help others in NEED... not the big cheese upstairs in the suit that costs more than I make in a month :)

Originally posted by John Coxey

Pbrookes:

- You mentioned that "I hate my job".

- I too feel the same way (perhaps not as strongly). But I do hate being in a cubicle all day.

- My motivation. I am keeping my current job, and use that as a motivator to study.

- Right now, I am getting impatient. We are on a 3 week break between classes. I actually spent about 5 hours today hitting the A&P texts (I have syllabus for next semester).

- Also, I plan on doing the travel nurse thing. Part of my dream entails purchasing an old Greyhound type bus and having it converted into a motorhome (or buying one already converted). Then, using that for both nursing and fly-fishing.

----------

- For me, going into nursing is not ALL about the money. I will make 1/2 in nursing what I do in the computer field.

- It's more of a qualify of life issue for me. I see these folks with 30 to 40 yrs experience in this place. They all look like crap. They never took care of themselves. They walk around like they are homeless (you know - the homeless person shuffle - get there when they get there).

- Also, I absolutely hate Evansville, Indiana. I moved here from Denver -- due to layoffs. Was only place I could find work in my specialty (Java programming - have MS-Comp Sci).

- So, instead of complaining and doing nothing. I decided that I would teach Comp Sci classes 1 or 2 evenings a week, and go for a nursing degree.

-----------

- Next year (June 2004), I will start flying every other weekend from Evansville, In to Syracuse, NY for clinicals. This way, I can maintain my current employment and do the nursing thing.

- About 1/2 way through nursing school (June 2005), I will make the big decision on whether to combine the two fields, or totally walk away from comp sci.

- Seriously, I am absolutely sick of corporate america and its utter b.s. I love to program --- nothing like a case of pepsi, a few bags of doritos and dip, and a few all night programming sessions.

- I want to be independent of corporate america - and want to do the travel nurse thing.

- If I somehow manage to get the CRNA thing out of the way - then I plan on doing traveling CRNA "locum tennis" . Probably killed the spelling there.

------------

- Right now, I find it incredibly easy to study. It's finding the actual time that gets a little hairy.

- Hope this helps answer your question.

John Coxey

([email protected])

John, just reading your post motivates me and makes me want to work hard. You remind me of why I am changing careers also. I too also hate sitting in a cubicle all day.

Thanks

John = the man

keep us posted