Anybody else in a rut? Just curious.....Can't find my calling......

Hello,

One of my friends just recently called me the luckiest graduate nurse....but I'm not feeling so lucky. ( I think she felt I was lucky because I was out earning my instructors by 13/hr even before I took my boards)

I graduated in 2005 (RN). I have a BS in Administration of Justice and went to nursing school after a personal experience led me in that direction. I was passionate about being of service to the sick and was seeking fulfillment in the whole spiritual side of nursing. I found a weekend program at a nearby skilled facility and enjoyed only working 32 hours on Sat and Sundays. I made 37.5/hr, not because I was a superior nurse, but because I worked faithfully ever Sat and Sun and therefore received the weekend RN rate. (My husband was home with the children so it worked out great) I also enjoyed the fact that I was getting some decent experience for a new grad...... 42 vented pts....wound vacs, chest tubes......blood cultures and other blood draws (Had IV team at hospital) TPN, G-tubes.....you name it. (Really got a lot of wound care experience there too) I soon became the weekend supervisor at this facility and really learned so much in that area too...............

At the beginning of August I took a RNAC position making 32.5/hr, Mon thru Friday......no weekends and I take call for the building typically once a month. I took the position because of my family schedule and I'm hating it. My friend says I'm lucky to be making the kind of money I am for being a relatively new nurse......and especially in this economy, but I'm really thinking I would be happier with private duty or becoming self employed. I really want longer shifts again(though not the norm for private duty) and I do not feel fullfilled in RNAC position. Anyone with some thoughts or similiar situation. Should I suck it up with the economy in crisis or move to happier ground? I feel like I'm in a rut.

Thanks