Hello..My post are for anyone who feel like me...I'm not going anywhere or anyone who can give me any friendly advice..Although, I am blessed to be at the facility/unit where I've been..I've been on the same unit (med-acute-oncology) for more than a decade! For the past 2 years I've been going thru like a "midlife crisis" as far as my work is concerned..

I've been there done that with being chemo-certified in the past, relief charge, preceptor..took outside classes EKG, ACLS..Even took on a new specialty position in ER for about a week..thinking I needed a challenge & different unit...

Obviously, I went back to my home unit because that change wasn't what I thought I wanted...I know sounds confusing...Anyway, I came to the conclusion that maybe I should just stay where I am (at my home unit) & try to make the best of it. I was going to start on maybe getting my Med-Surg Certification...

But I am just lagging...i have a brand new review book sitting on my desk...i don't have the motivation....but I feel like I'm bored doing what I do and I'm just going through the motions of "working." I don't want to feel or be like the "old school" RNs who are comfortable & complacent in what they are doing..and just waiting for retirement LOL!

I do want to stay within the same facility...since I have seniority..in 2 more years...I don't have to "float" anymore .......I could even be a supervisor...but I DONT want to...

I'm perfectly fine w/my personal & family life...so I feel stuck...Any advice?? Thank You!

When I am working I feel as stagnant as you do. It costs too much in time and money to progress and at this stage of the game, not really worth it. I cycle between being bored as all getout on the job and being unemployed. Between the two, I prefer to be bored. A matter of perspective. You say you are fine with your personal and family life, just add paycheck to that and you will be ok.

When I am working I feel as stagnant as you do. It costs too much in time and money to progress and at this stage of the game, not really worth it. I cycle between being bored as all getout on the job and being unemployed. Between the two, I prefer to be bored. A matter of perspective. You say you are fine with your personal and family life, just add paycheck to that and you will be ok.

Yup, I feel the same...I guess I prefer to be bored as well if I get to choose. With me, it seems like I go through extremes...either I am bored with my work or feel overwhelmed!

I have also tried unsuccessfully to get a part-time or per-diem at another facility..as a floor nurse on med/surg/tele...but my hourly pay is probably too much to match?

Are you too old to go back to school and is it worthwhile for you? You know, if you can afford it, you could take classes just for the mental stimulation, if another degree is not practical.

Are you too old to go back to school and is it worthwhile for you? You know, if you can afford it, you could take classes just for the mental stimulation, if another degree is not practical.

I don't think I'm too old yet..I just turned 42..Nowadays, they say 40's is the new 30's?? It would probably be nice to have a master's degree eventually. Maybe I'll wait till my kids are a bit older and look around for a program.. I have a 6th grader and 3rd graders. My boys are a handful...If it's NOT work on my mind...it's my kids! Thank you for your input @caliotter3

It seems like you're actually in a pretty good position in your career! You've had the chance to try out a lot of specializations so you know what you do and don't like. I think you just need to decide what it is you really want to do, haha! And based on what you've said, it's not a completely stagnant situation. There is at least room and potential for growth as you will be eligible for seniority! Not too shabby if you ask me! :)

Are you sure you aren't me?

First, there's that first year as a nurse, where you wonder what in fresh hell you've gotten yourself into . . . and then just when you can do nursing with your hands tied behind your back, here comes boredom and lack of interest.

I blew out my right knee and could NOT return any time soon to my floor nurse job (medical oncology), as the MRI showed nothing surgical to fix, except a giant white spot indicating severe inflammation. No arthritis, no tears, just a knee double it's size and really unstable. For months prior, I'd had to drag myself to work, had no desire to pursue OCN or much of any desire to pursue palliative care or hospice out patient.

In my time off, I resigned so the position could be filled and sat here for four months living off my savings. I could not make myself go back, once I was gone. It got very scary, let's put it that way. What the hell was I going to do? But time heals everything, and after a lot of thinking and reflecting, I figured I did not want to work full time, nor did I need to. What about nursing did I really, truly love?

I've always had an armchair interest in pediatrics/neonatal. Absolutely NO experience whatsoever except in nursing school. In perusing the job sites, I found pediatric private duty jobs all over the place. The more I looked into it . . . well, you know. The more excited and interested I got. I recently accepted a position with an agency and frankly, am really looking forward to it.

This is such a huge shift, and I'm not sure if just spending the summer off work entirely cleared my mind or what. I would have never thought I'd get 'excited' about something new. Maybe I'm nuts. It just goes to show if you keep your eyes open, and get honest about what really interests you aside from your day job, strange and wonderful things can happen :)

I'm just starting out in nursing a few years younger than you, but what I plan to do from early on is get more involved in the community and spend some time outside work as a volunteer. I know you wont get paid for it, but its something that could help bring back meaning to why you choose nursing. The hospital environment is really harsh and even as a newbie just spending my hours sitting at a computer charting is not what I went to school for.I don't know what to suggest but try a donating time at a foodbank once per week or something, or find a local clinic that needs volunteer nurses.

It seems like you're actually in a pretty good position in your career! You've had the chance to try out a lot of specializations so you know what you do and don't like. I think you just need to decide what it is you really want to do, haha! And based on what you've said, it's not a completely stagnant situation. There is at least room and potential for growth as you will be eligible for seniority! Not too shabby if you ask me! :)

ur right! there is always room for growth :) thanx for ur input..i might look into joining some committee or something..make myself useful for the time-being until i know what my next step will be..

Are you sure you aren't me?

First, there's that first year as a nurse, where you wonder what in fresh hell you've gotten yourself into . . . and then just when you can do nursing with your hands tied behind your back, here comes boredom and lack of interest.

I blew out my right knee and could NOT return any time soon to my floor nurse job (medical oncology), as the MRI showed nothing surgical to fix, except a giant white spot indicating severe inflammation. No arthritis, no tears, just a knee double it's size and really unstable. For months prior, I'd had to drag myself to work, had no desire to pursue OCN or much of any desire to pursue palliative care or hospice out patient.

In my time off, I resigned so the position could be filled and sat here for four months living off my savings. I could not make myself go back, once I was gone. It got very scary, let's put it that way. What the hell was I going to do? But time heals everything, and after a lot of thinking and reflecting, I figured I did not want to work full time, nor did I need to. What about nursing did I really, truly love?

I've always had an armchair interest in pediatrics/neonatal. Absolutely NO experience whatsoever except in nursing school. In perusing the job sites, I found pediatric private duty jobs all over the place. The more I looked into it . . . well, you know. The more excited and interested I got. I recently accepted a position with an agency and frankly, am really looking forward to it.

This is such a huge shift, and I'm not sure if just spending the summer off work entirely cleared my mind or what. I would have never thought I'd get 'excited' about something new. Maybe I'm nuts. It just goes to show if you keep your eyes open, and get honest about what really interests you aside from your day job, strange and wonderful things can happen :)

hmmmmm....we do have similarities im looking into transferring into another position that i jus applied for...butwe'll have to see how it turns out.. im hoping to hear something by next week. i jus dont wanna jinx myself jus yet so i wont say anything..but im thinking this is just what i need. ive been having "itchy feet" for the last 2 years...and it's not fun..ill update hopefully w/good news..