[ParrotHeadRN]

I have been in my current department for almost 9 months now, and I have just shy of 2 years experience in the critical care setting. To be completely honest, I am feeling a little bored. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the people I work with, but am not feeling challenged at all. That doesn't mean I don't have busy nights, but for the most part I feel I am babysitting. And having busy nights doesn't necessarily mean challenging, by the way. I was planning on staying where I am while I complete my BSN, but that has fallen through for this semester, so now I am seriously considering a change.

I have always said I would never do emergency nursing, mostly because I don't think I can do it. Now there is a huge part of me saying I should do it just because I think I can't. Does that make any sense? Like conquering a fear, I suppose. The ED in my facility is Level 1, so talk about jumping into a hornets nest! However, I find myself thinking about it more and more, which makes me wonder if it is where I am being guided. I have to say I'm not too keen on taking care of hurt and dying children, but there is a separate pediatric ED so I'm hoping I won't have to have too much to do with children. I'm also considering NICU and Trauma ICU as well. So obviously I've got tons of ideas running through my mind right now. I am SO comfortable where I am, the staff welcomed me so warmly and I enjoy going to work every night, it's not that I'm unhappy at all, just feeling stifled. And the ED would be a completely different world for me, after 2 years of ICU.

Has anyone experienced anything like this? I'd love to hear how other nurses handled feeling like this, and if I'm really alone in this. I don't think so because most of the nurses I work with express feelings of boredom. So do I stay where I am happy and comfortable or take the plunge and make a big change? I am really scared to make any change, but I can't get it out of my mind. I hope I am making sense.

PHRN

[kiyatylese]

I would say, why not challenge yourself? Just go for it.

[dragonflyaltoids]

Never settle! Go for it!
Plus, think of all the cool stuff you'll get to do and learn- a definite bonus

[gonzo1]

I have only been a nurse for 3 years. Started in med/surg. I was terrified at the idea of one of my pts dying and of codes. Was on the floor for 1.5 years and decided that I needed to conquer my fear. So I went to the ER figuring that was where I would see the worst. I was right. I have now been there 1.5 years and wow have I grown as a person and a nurse. I am a lot less scared now. Still panic a little at times. Of course kids scare all of us. Even the most seasoned professional. We don't get enough practice on kids and that is a blessing.
I can now stand up to the drunks and psyches, don't cry as much at the sick kids and can run a code pretty well. Remember in the ER you are never alone. When a "bad" case comes in all the doc's and nurses come and help the pt to be stabilized.
In the ER you will learn to care for all age groups and see so much. I highly recommend it. I too went from a floor that I loved the people I worked with, but they were all very supportive of my going and growing and I could always go back if I wanted to.
Good luck and God bless