Dream job...no longer my dream job??

Nurses General Nursing

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I have been a nurse for a just under 2 years. After graduation I started out in the in adult world, only because that was where I could get a job. But my goal had always been pediatrics, NICU to be exact. As soon as my year was up with the adult hospital I was hired at the top children's hospital in my area.

It was a dream come true. However, there weren't any NICU positions available but PICU was hiring. So I said I'll take it! (Well after the interview process and all). But here I am about 6 months into and I just don't love it. I don't really know how to put it into other words...it just doesn't to "fit" me. So now I'm sitting here wondering is it because it's still not my dream job (NICU) or will I ever be happy in a nursing job?

This post is part vent and part curious if anyone else has felt this way? And if so, did you ever find your "dream" job?

I think I can relate. I thought the ED would be my "dream job", but it turns out I don't like it so much. I can't really put my finger on what it is that doesn't mesh for me. I like the "detective work" aspects of the job, I like it when I feel like I'm making a difference and I have good interactions with my patients, I'm really good at IV starts and urinary catheters, my instincts about what's going on with patients are pretty good, but something isn't really working for me.

It's not that I expect to love my job every second of the day, but when someone asks me if I like my job, I'm lying when I say "Yes".

I've been looking at other options, but there isn't much out there that sounds appealing to me. What few opportunities have come up, I'm competing with more experienced nurses with more seniority for highly desirable jobs.

Wish I had some good advice for you, but instead all I can say is I know how you feel.

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Specializes in PICU; NICU.
I think I can relate. I thought the ED would be my "dream job", but it turns out I don't like it so much. I can't really put my finger on what it is that doesn't mesh for me. I like the "detective work" aspects of the job, I like it when I feel like I'm making a difference and I have good interactions with my patients, I'm really good at IV starts and urinary catheters, my instincts about what's going on with patients are pretty good, but something isn't really working for me.

It's not that I expect to love my job every second of the day, but when someone asks me if I like my job, I'm lying when I say "Yes".

I've been looking at other options, but there isn't much out there that sounds appealing to me. What few opportunities have come up, I'm competing with more experienced nurses with more seniority for highly desirable jobs.

Wish I had some good advice for you, but instead all I can say is I know how you feel.

Thanks so much for replying! It is very hard to pinpoint exactly what I don't like about it. And since I was SO excited to get the job, everyone always ask me how my "dream" job is going. I always feel obligated to say "it's going great and I love it!"

I hope you find the job the "meshes" for you soon!

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Specializes in Med Surg - Renal.
And if so, did you ever find your "dream" job?

My nursing dream job was to have a job...

Check!!!

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Specializes in pediatrics, public health.

My dream job is one where I get paid to sit at home all day and read trashy novels. If anyone knows of a job like that where they're hiring, please be sure to let me know! Otherwise, I guess I'll just have to keep slogging along, doing work to get paid. :)

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I am a PICU nurse who started out there from the very beginning so I may have a biased view, but bear with me because I think I went through something similar that a few people have mentioned here. Once you're orientated and the unit loses it's new and exciting appeal, the reality does set in that this is just a job - albeit a very special one, don't get me wrong - it's not glamorous, it's really quite sad at times. Then there is the stress which comes with severely unwell children. Around 5-6 months I hit the 'consciously incompetent' stage where I realised the mountain of knowledge that is required to work safely in PICU ( we are also a cardiac surgery PICU so we need to know the skills of two specific units) - well I didn't have it, and lets face it - no one does after just 5 months! But I pushed forward, and nearly two years into it now I can say that most of the time, I really love my job. I love the kids, the families and the variety and I've "found my place".

Regarding your NICU interest - I initially wanted a job in NICU to begin with, well I can tell you from being pooled there - NICU is NOT for me. I just don't have the 'hands off' patience that is required to be a great NICU nurse. The range of skills and variable patient conditions, ages and that 'never knowing' what's coming through the PICU doors has me hooked now. When in NICU, lets face it - you know something small is coming through the door and if you don't really have the patience and dedication to work with our most vulnerable little people than you may be more frustrated than you were in PICU. Why don't you ask if you can be pooled to the NICU one evening when you're overstaffed and see how you feel about it?

All the very best for whatever you decide!

Erin

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My dream job is one where I get paid to sit at home all day and read trashy novels. If anyone knows of a job like that where they're hiring, please be sure to let me know! Otherwise, I guess I'll just have to keep slogging along, doing work to get paid. :)

Hahah... Try a slow night in PICU, in a side room with a sedated & tubed patient. PICU has lazy-boys and magazines = Your dream job! (Me last night!!)

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Specializes in ER.

Surprised to see this post because I remember when you posted that you got the job, you were so happy! (I've been away from the site a while... the new job and starting school has been a handful for me lately!) Have you thought about trying to float to the NICU when you are able? Just to see what you think about it? I agree with the post that said that maybe if you get through that 6 month "hump", that maybe you will start enjoying it more because you'll get more confident. Just a thought. But either way, I'm sure you will make a good decision. You can't go wrong, they are both great opportunities!

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Specializes in pediatrics, public health.
Hahah... Try a slow night in PICU, in a side room with a sedated & tubed patient. PICU has lazy-boys and magazines = Your dream job! (Me last night!!)

I guess those slow night help make up for the crazy ones!

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Specializes in OB (with a history of cardiac).

I worked in peds as an LPN. I was 155% sure that once I was an RN I would be going the route of peds once again. Well, a funny thing happened- I had a son. He's three now, but after going back to work as an LPN after having him, I started to see his face in every crying, miserable child I had to torture (see, before it was "give vaccines to, throat culture, straight cath, ear lavage...then they all just became "torture"). When I was in school for my RN, I ended up diagnosing him with everything from C-Diff, to Leukemia to various cardiac dysfunctions. By the time I was done with RN school I was seriously questioning how I ever thought I'd be starting an IV on a little kid when I could barely stand to see my own little guy get his shots (I was a blubbering FOOL when he got his 2 month shots). I did my externship in NICU, and actually it was not as bad as I thought- and it's a place I've considered working when I want a change from cardiac. I'm also into the idea of L&D and Postpartum, which were places I said "no way" to in nursing school. So yes, it could very well be that it's not your bag, but ask yourself why, first.

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