[CANADARN13]

.... I am feeling like I am going to be stuck in a this JOB 4-EVER. I want to venture outside of the NICU world someday, but I am not sure where I can go after having been doing only NICU for 12 years. Any thought or ideas.
Thanks
Shannon

[debbbsRN]

I have also in the last year or so been feeling the need for a change....but I love the NICU, can't see me not nursing babies. So I opted to start traveling, I'll be heading for the states in early September

The other thing I have done is float to pediatrics, which was my original nursing love....changes things up and gives you a variety

Good luck

[Kimbalou]

Originally Posted by CANADARN13

.... I am feeling like I am going to be stuck in a this JOB 4-EVER. I want to venture outside of the NICU world someday, but I am not sure where I can go after having been doing only NICU for 12 years. Any thought or ideas.
Thanks
Shannon

Lately I've floated to post-partum and PICU. I guess it depends if you want an area similar to NICU or not. I found PICU to be very busy and emotionally challenging. Their pts. are challenging, too.
Post partum is quieter than NICU usually, and you have mostly WELL babies...I was bored, so tried PICU. I've worked NICU for 17 years now, so floating was actually a nice change.

[rnpilot]

Shannon, I hear ya'. At about 10 years into NICU, I felt burned out and bored. I decided on a career change. I started working towards a commercial pilot's license. I loved flying! After a few years, and a couple ratings, I met my husband, a professional pilot. I had the opportunity to fly with him in the cockpit. My dream was killed quickly and I felt that I'd suffered "the grass is greener" syndrome. There were about 10 minutes of challenge and hours of boredom that would make a critical care nurse suicidal. A great break and breath of fresh air for me was doing some traveling nursing. I was out of NICU for about 11 years being a stay-at-home mom. I was really happy to go back to the babies. Despite the pitfalls, I really missed NICU and I knew what my passion was. Only you can find yours. Sometimes it helps to step back and try something else or different "scenery." You'll either find something better and move on, or know that it was only a temporary slump. Biggest things- know thyself and don't be afraid to pursue your dreams.