Not happy with area

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi fellow nurses!

I'm on my 5th month now as a medsurg/psych/tele nurse in a small community hospital in Hollywood CA. I graduated BSN 10 yrs ago and this is my first hospital job. I took nursing because of the money and never really had any passion for it. I don't like the work at all, it's too demanding and physically and mentally exhausting. Also maybe because we're always short staffed (1 cna to 28 pts) so we have to do everything from passing trays to cleaning patients. We always run out of supplies and only one working elevator. Maybe I started off on the wrong foot on a disorganized hospital or I shouldn't have really taken up nursing at all. It's too early for me to dislike/quit nursing. I love my coworkers and supervisor to death and they're the only reason why i'm still working there. Patient/bedside care is not for me and i knew that since day 1. Any other area/field that i could try that i might like? I don't mind going back to school.

Thank you for the feedback.

caliotter3

38,333 Posts

Jobs are difficult to obtain in this area. Keep an eye out for the job postings and see what gets your interest. Perhaps moving to another hospital with a better environment might help. Or move into a different area of nursing altogether. But just be very careful about leaving on good terms so that no bridges are burned. Maybe go part time at a new place until you feel comfortable. Then when you go full time there, try to stay part time at the job you are leaving. One must always try to maximize their possibilities in an area where it is hard to find nursing positions to begin with. Good luck.

xmarXDspot

8 Posts

This is my first hospital job and i'm sorry that I already whine a lot. Maybe I've never been pushed/pressured this hard before. Thank you for your advice. Yes, I'll try to do registry next month and explore other hospitals. If that doesn't work, I'm thinking case management? Nothing happens overnight but I really need to do something about it coz this job is affecting how i treat my family specially after a tiring shift.

Specializes in ICU.

you graduated 10 years ago and just now working for the first time? If so you are lucky to even land a job.

xmarXDspot

8 Posts

I graduated in the Philippines 2006 and passed NCLEX CA 2010. Took me 5 yrs to give the BON a SSN and still granted a license and I should feel lucky right? I never liked nursing from the get go but the odds just keep going my way that's why I'm here. That's why I keep telling myself not to lose hope and somehow somewhere there's an area that i'll be happy in.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN

4 Articles; 7,907 Posts

Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

A med-surg/psych/tele unit? What a combination of populations...intriguing.

I say this gently: having only 5 months acute care experience as well as being out of nursing school for 10 years--especially if you didn't work as a RN in any capacity during those 10 years--doesn't make you a very desirable candidate for job opportunities.

Also, registries usually look for at least a year or two of experience, because when you do registry nursing, you're expected to be able to hit the floor running with minimal orientation. If you're struggling at this job, imagine if they sent you to a registry assignment in a different facility, gave you a one-day orientation on where everything is, and then said "OK, here's your 5 patients, go!"

So...

If possible, hang in at this current job until you hit the year mark. Then if you're still burnt out, look for another job. That year of nursing experience will make you a stronger applicant, be it another bedside job or case management, administration, etc.

Of course, you may decide that nursing just isn't for you period. And that's OK--there's nothing wrong with that. If that's the case, definitely have your new career direction decided and (preferably) a job lined up before you leave nursing.

Best of luck whatever you decide.

caliotter3

38,333 Posts

I sent you a PM.

xmarXDspot

8 Posts

Meriwhen thank you for your feedback. It's because they rotate me on different floors, it's such a small hospital that they put me wherever they need a staff and sometimes even urgent care. I know I don't have the amount of experience yet and should be contented to what I have right now but again I'm not happy.

Try to get your year of acute care experience. Two is even better, but if you can only make it to one, get there and then apply for something else. Maybe something like clinic or ambulatory?

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