Well, I did it....

by Anna Flaxis, ASN
Views: 4,900 Comments: 12

....I landed a job outside of the hospital.

I'm a newer nurse, only at it for five years, but I've been in the hospital setting that entire five years.

Many days, I feel so trapped inside those walls, staring longingly out the window (if I'm lucky enough to get a break so I can go find a window), yearning to get Out There.

So, I found a nice little on-call position outside of the hospital setting and start in another month. A big part of me is excited and looking forward to the change.

But then, I start to freak out a little....what if I lose all my skills? What if I forget everything I worked so hard to learn? What if I'm making a big mistake?????

I've read on this site comments from nurses who have said that getting out of the hospital was the best thing they ever did.

Why?
How do you feel about your skill and knowledge level?
What kind of inspirational words of wisdom can you grace me with?
12 Comments

Comment
Mar 19, '12

Ok, I got an advanced Non-nursing degree, a Doctor of Divinity in Missionology from a Theological Seminary.

Now, I'm not the best person to answer this question, because I do use my NP in the mission field, however, to a very different skill set.

I CANNOT EVER IMAGINE BEING TIED DOWN BACK IN USA TO A CLINIC OR HOSPITAL SETTING, . . .

I love the change I made!!!! I love working in different countries, out of my comfort zone, and especially outside in fresh air. I would have never been able to do this had I not took that leap of faith and jumped. YOU WILL OBTAIN NEW PRICELESS SKILLs, and the fact that you have done clinical, medical-surgical, and bedside nursing, YOU WILL ALWAYs HAVE THOSE SKILLs TO PUT ON YOUR RESUME, . . .

WITH THE EDGE OF DOING SOMETHING NEW AND DIFFERENT. CHALLENGES ARE APPLAUDED, NOT COUNTED AGAINST YOU.

BOSTON SAYS FOLLOW YOUR !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mar 19, '12

You can always go back into the hospital setting..the hospital jobs will always be there...so, if a few months from now you think you are losing your skills or whatever you can reapply or pick up some PRN shifts. For me personally, I am starting a new position outside of the hospital at the end of this month. It's a M-F position, clinic, no weekends, no holidays, no nights, no call..like you I have had a few moments of "what if I don't like it? How am I going to get to doctors appointments? (which is not a concern for me because other than my yearly physical I never, thankfully, have to get to a doctor), what if the M-F schedule isn't for me?" etc. but I am going through with it and, in a few months will determine if this is a good fit for me. I would rather give the position a chance then to always wonder what it would've been like. The hospital... I grew tired of the getting up early, working more than 12 hrs on a "good" day in the hospital, spending more time charting, double charting, chart checking than on patient interaction, being unable to sleep because I was stressed about going back, getting pulled to other units mid-shift because no one else was willing to float, etc. I also was spending a LOT of off time in the hospital because, at the time, my mother was ill and was there a LOT. The whole hospital enviroment became my life almost 24/7 for over 8 months. I was burned out from both ends. I went to HH for awhile, but for me, HH is not something I would be willing to do FT - unless it was just a wknd position..I am very, very fortunate for the position I was offered recently so my advice is to give your new job a chance..with in a few months you will know if it's right for you or not. As far as the skills, they are like riding a bike, you don't forget & if needed they will come back to you quickly I'm sure. Good luck.
Mar 19, '12

Good for you. What I love about nursing is that you can try different settings and specialties. If you don't like your new job or current setting you can always go back to the bedside.
Wishing you well in your new position.
Mar 19, '12

Well, there is a reason that you have decided to leave the hospital setting right? I am a new nurse and thought as most new nurses do that I NEEDED to start my career as a floor nurse, 4 months later I find that I hate it, as someone else posted here, the long hours, weekends, going home stressed out, leaving home stressed out, etc. it's just not for me. I was offered a day job and am anxiously waiting to begin! As someone else said you won't lose skills and I applaud you for trying something different, it is hard to make that jump, but you may find you have found your perfect job. Life is to short to be unhappy and while we need work to pay our bills we shouldn't make it our priority.

Work to live, not live to work!! Best wishes in your new endeavor!
Mar 19, '12

You will know if you like this job, and if you do, you won't have to worry about "losing your skills" and will have a new skill set obtained from this position.

I have been out of bedside over a year and I am going back to patient care, although not in a hospital. I don't feel like I lost my skills. I guess we'll find out.
Mar 19, '12

first of all congratulations are in order for following your goal and landing a job!!! admittedly, i have always said once a person makes up their mind the rest will follow. furthermore, in regards to one's skills i think of them as to riding a bicycle, they are imbedded in your brain. therefore, don't let anyone tell you any different or influence you in a negative way, everyone is different, if this is what you truly want give it your all, in the words of alfred lord tennyson and i quote “it’s better to have tried and failed than to live life wondering what would’ve happened if i had tried” wishing you the very best of in all of your future endeavors...as i send you a hug from across the miles...aloha~
Mar 19, '12

This thread is very encouraging as I have decided to leave my hospital job where I was using very few nursing skills on the unit I worked on. Plus I was burnt out working 40 hrs and rotating day/night every week. I'm looking forward to having my life back and seeing what else is out there.
Mar 19, '12

Congratulations, Stargazer! I don't think you'll lose your skills. When I worked home care and then hospice, I gained skills. you're in the perfect position to go into home care. You've worked in the hospital long enough to have gained a solid base to draw from

I learned so much working in those two fields; it really helped me to gain confidence in my assessments; after all, it was just me out there with no one around for a second opinion.

Good luck to you again, and congratulations!
Mar 19, '12

Thanks, everyone!

Quote from OCNRN63

I learned so much working in those two fields; it really helped me to gain confidence in my assessments; after all, it was just me out there with no one around for a second opinion.

Yes, this is the part (or one of them) that I think will capture my interest and inspire me to continue to develop professionally. I feel my assessment skills are really sharp after working in the ED, and because I'll be out there kind of on my own (I'll have resources I can call, won't be left twisting in the wind), I'll have to rely on those assessment skills to make a lot of decisions. In the ED, I have doctors and more experienced nurses to consult all around me. If I'm not sure of something, I can run it by someone else. Out in the field, I won't necessarily have that resource available.

Also, my new role will be more one of teaching and tech support rather than actual bedside care. I've always enjoyed patient teaching, and working with motivated patients is really nice. This will be an opportunity to develop my interpersonal and teaching skills.

Who knows, maybe it'll inspire me to go back to school.

Oh, and I plan on keeping all my certifications up to date, even if I have to pay for them myself. I'm also planning on sitting for the CEN to keep myself current, should I decide to take a per diem position in the ED.

Last edit by Anna Flaxis on Mar 19, '12
Mar 19, '12

I recently made the same decision as you. I have worked inpatient my entire career thus far. In January, I began applying to per diem positions with the idea that I would drop my hours at the hospital to "ease my way out". Well, that plan went out the window as soon as I went through the process of actually applying for jobs and interviewing and I realized that I have marketable skills and there's no reason to put up with the BS and abuse I deal with every day in my current job. The first day I worked at my 2nd job, I left there thinking, "I left on time, I ate lunch and no one yelled at me"... felt like some kind of alternate reality but definitely something I could get used to! I never thought I'd want to work M-F but I am finding more and more that that IS what I want. I have no consistency in my schedule at my current job (only 20 days left 'til I'm done!) and I can't even count on the fact that they'll give me a day off if I need it for a doctor's appointment. In my new job, I'll be able to just leave early or come in late if I have an appointment and arrange my hours around it.
Mar 19, '12

I have always kept my foot in 2 doors so I could take a step back, and I have always ended up missing the bedside. But that's me.
I am so happy for you!!! Good Luck! I have always tried to be sure that I have taken risks over the years because I never wanted to say I wish I would have xyz. Kudos for you!
Mar 19, '12

Congratulations. Anything you may lose, will be balanced by what you will gain.
Choices always involve trade offs. Enjoy your new job.

Well, I did it....

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