I have been working my first nursing job out of nursing school for about a year and a half- nights on a very busy med-surg floor. I am absolutely miserable at my job, the fast pace and high acuity level is just not for me. My anxiety level is through the roof everything single time I'm at work and sometimes starts as early as 24 hours before a shift. I even sometimes find myself envying the unit clerk and floor cleaners as they don't have as much responsibility. What drew me to nursing was women's health, ie gynecology or postpartum but I'd like to work with more stable patients who are walkie talkies for the most part. Does anyone have any suggestions for what types of other jobs I might like that are easier or a little slower paced? I've tossed around the idea of Private Duty Nursing, Postpartum, outpatient Surgery, Psych, palliative, doctors office, endoscopy, being a school nurse, being a nurse legal consultant, etc but ANYTHING would probably make me happier than what I'm doing. Any help is appreciated. Thank you so much.

Ps- just to explain better what is making me so unhappy, I hate getting to work an hour early to read the charts, working through my lunch break, and often staying between 30 mins and 2 hours past the end of my shift to document and finish tasks. This is standard practice on my floor and we aren't paid for it at all. I also hate getting an admission right when I arrive before I've even finished report and the fast pace combined with stress level plus psych patients, incontinent patients, complex wound care, dementia patients on bed alarms, tele, vented patients, it's all just too much!!!

I made a post about a week/2 weeks ago. Same exact situation!!! 2 years on the floor, med/surg. I hate it, I want to leave. I too have thought of private duty nursing but the pay just isn't right. I'm waiting for some billionaire to pay me to come take care of grandma in their home. I'll relax by the pool while Grandma takes her afternoon nap

Hey, I can dream can't I?

LOL!!!! I've asked the Private Duty RNs that sometimes come to our hospital with patients and they get paid the same amount per hour as I do. I'm not sure if they get as many hours though. I love your fantasy. LOL. I'm sure for some nurses it is a reality to work for a wealthy family and get paid to do relatively little work compared to hospital bedside. It makes me feel better to know I'm not the only one!!! Thank you.

Some of what you describe is plain unhealthy for you... and illegal.

Get out ASAP, but give your required notice beforehand.

Good luck!