Career Advice Required, New RN, BScN Leaving the Profession

[giveface]

Hello All,

I'll make this short. I have decided that I do not want to do direct patient care any longer. In a nutshell, after graduating this past June and being employed straight away in a notoriously bad med/surg unit (where no one ever wants to work) I am now on stress leave (as are many of my colleagues, just to give this some context). Now, I know what you're thinking, "Why make any snap decisions right now when your experience in the nursing world has been tainted by this horrible workplace?" Again, to be short, I have concluded that the only jobs I am qualified to get in my province with my present credentials are these horribly understaffed medical/surgical positions or LTC where I use about 10% of my BScN training.

Anyways, I think I am going to leave the profession altogether as I just feel that for me the future is brighter elsewhere. Now to the point of this thread: I'm not sure what direction to take. I realize that no one here knows me, but I figure you might recognize some patterns in my writing that make me suitable for a certain career path. I graduated magna cum laude (3.7/4.0 GPA), with several invitations to pursue graduate studies at my university. I have zero interest in becoming a nurse manager/administration, as I have seen first hand just how conniving and self-serving these individuals are. They care very little about patient care.

I am thinking that maybe law school is an excellent choice for me. I could easily qualify to enter too (once passing the LSAT). Alternatively, if staying in the health care arena, I think I would focus on MPH (although I have heard mixed things about the real world utility of that particular degree), or a MHSc degree in epidemiology and become a epidemiologist. Ironically, the subjects I enjoyed most in my BScN degree were microbiology followed by pharmacology (A+) in both (however either of these fields would of course require their own respective bachelor's degrees). Several physicians I work with are pushing me towards medical school, including one willing to write me a reference letter. However the problem with medical school for me is two fold: first, I don't have the year of physical sciences (physics, chem, bio chem), second, I don't want that level of responsibility over another human being, I find this too stressful, and third, I don't want to work the crazy hours. Nurse practitioner won't work either as I know already I am quite fed up with the politics surrounding practice expectations in nursing. I have never been one to keep my tongue in my pocket and bite my opinions so often as nursing has asked of me over the last 4.5 years. And I have heard school teaching has even more politics than nursing, that's a definite no.

So, with all of this in mind, I am thinking either to do a one year college program in legal assisting, or alternatively, to go to law school. I have always had such a steadfast respect for rules, and what appeals to me about law is that ​usually it is so black or white. Nursing is filled with shades of gray and I believe this is where the reality of nursing and my analytical brain collide.

Basically I am suspecting I need a career with more autonomy and not such tight control over me. I guess I just didn't know that nursing could be so militaristic. Anyways, any and all suggestions are welcome, but please, I have decided to leave the nursing profession so offer advice from that basis.

Thanks.

[giveface]

What do you mean if you go into LTC you'll only use 10% of your degree? Have you worked in LTC? LTC requires skills and then some!!!!

If you re-read what I wrote I actually said BOTH med/surg and LTC environments. I suspect this to be the case as my med/surg unit frequently leaves me feeling like a glorified babysitter, a babysitter making $34.50/hr mind you but a babysitter nevertheless. These are only MY personal opinions, I never said you had to agree with them. You have a right to your opinions too.

[giveface]

Thank you for the encouragement. Today I feel as though I am at a loss. I suppose you could describe it as an identity crisis. For the last 5 years of my life I have ate, breathed and slept the nursing role, and now that I am leaving I feel, well lost. I don't know what's next for me, and of course that is a very scary feeling for someone who assumed he was accomplished as a professional, only to have that blanket ripped out from him. My family is disappointed in me too, although this only compounds my guilt.

I meet with a social worker on Friday to help me sort through all this. She may also refer me to the psychologist if she sees fit. I also suffer with depression and the occasional obsessive compulsive illogical thoughts.

[TXRN2009]

Hello All,

I'll make this short. I have decided that I do not want to do direct patient care any longer. ..... *SNIP

Basically I am suspecting I need a career with more autonomy and not such tight control over me. I guess I just didn't know that nursing could be so militaristic. Anyways, any and all suggestions are welcome, but please, I have decided to leave the nursing profession so offer advice from that basis.

Thanks.

Someone else mentioned Nursing Informatics:

Join HIMSS:

http://www.himss.org/asp/topics_nursingInformatics.asp

Attend a Conference:

http://himssconference.org/

There are heaps of things you can do in Healthcare IT with a nursing background.

Work ON the business and not IN it.

[wiscbadger]

Maybe med equipment sales?

[Vitalfreedom]

I also have left nursing after 15 years of crap and I'm working in H.R. management in an airline company with lots of perks. I'm working on my mba and have a great supportive environment with beautiful people inside and out around me. I get to go on great vacations with discounts on travel and five star hotels. I've met so many great people. I only wish I did this 15 years ago. Your lucky you left early. Law is quit interesting. I always gravitated to law. I deal with employment law alot. I know you will do great. It feels great not wearing those frumpy scrubs and working with professionals. At times it fet like I was still in high school when I was working as a nurse. I can get my nails done and look great without worrying about ugly insecure fat ******* trying to sabatage me. Best wishes to you and congrats for having the strength and courage to leave an abusive environment. I treat staff with respect and support in my new position. Nursing has taught me how not to be and has made me more careful how to treat others I work with and manage people. I looks for ways to help staff nott tear them down. All the best.

[Vitalfreedom]

Hello Giveface, I want you to realize that everything in life changes. Nothing stays the same. Don't be afraid of change. The key is to not look at yourself as a failure but take this as an opportunity to grow professionally as well as take care of yourself. You've taken time to care for everyone else and now its your turn. If you wanted to you could work in public health or pursue a management degree in what ever interests you have. Think about the things you wanted to do and just do. Don't worry about what people expect from you. They aren't living your emotions. Take the time to heal before you start anything. If nursing makes you sick move on with no regrets and make sure you get into something that will provide well for you and your family and keep your deression in check. If you need medications take it. I know many people who suffer from depression in government and they do great and make lots of money. Just because you are a nurse does not mean you have to be in control all the time. We all need help sometimes. There is always this unrealistic expection that just because your a nurse you have to be strong and carry everyones burdens on your shoulders. To make matters worst your a man which has that added pressure and expectations. We all stumble and fall but you have to get back up again. You are human just like everyone else. Focus on your future instead of your past. Think positive. Stay away from negitivity. You will make it. Your not a failure. We all have our ups and downs. Keep active and socalize. I have faith in you. Now have faith in yourself. Everything happens for a reason. Figure out what you need to be doing to grow and be happy again. Good luck!!!

[Vitalfreedom]

He's right financal analyst and economic majors are great. Its under the commerce degree or management degree with these as a focus. I hope things get better for you.

[kittom]

Vitalfreedom, I was interested to read what you said about the nursing profession. I am a mature woman (43) and have just graduated with a First Class Honours in Mental Health Nursing. Unfortunately I am so disheartened with the whole nursing profession because it is definately not what I expected. I have never met so many 'professionals' that do not have respect for each other and as you quite rghtly put it, is an 'abusive environment'. I am desperate to get out of it before I even start! Throughout my 3 years training, my own health has suffered as has my relationship, yet people are still trying to encourage me to carry on to the 'final hurdle' when deep down, I know that if I do, I will become bitter, and always wonder 'what if'. I know I have gained so many transferable skills from my nurses training and am taking this time, to take stock of where I should be going now. I also like the idea of HR/management/Law but not sure where to start. I do have an appointment with a careers advisor coming up, so hopefully I will be able to see what other options are available to me.