Need a new career

Nurses Career Support

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Hello everyone,

I am in my early twenties and a RN. I have been working for a little over two years and have hated every second. I knew nursing school was a mistake, but I decided to go forth and continue because of pressure from my family. I graduated with my ADN and began working; I have worked Med/Surg and LTC. I cannot stand either one, I do not think I will like nursing in any other field either. I have quit my job and do not plan on working as a nurse anytime in the near future. I get physically sick when thinking of walking back on the floor. I feel like such a failure, I thought I wanted to become a NP so I went back to school and will be graduating with my BSN in a couple of weeks. I have invested so much time, energy, and money into this career so it is such a crushing blow to think about starting over in something new. I can't image going back to nursing, so as of now I am looking for other jobs that I am qualified for without a ton of extra school. I am even thinking about being a bank teller or something like that; I just cannot handle the stress. Have any of you left nursing to pursue a different career? How did you handle the difference in pay/income? I am just trying to figure out my next move. Any and all suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!

LakeEmerald

235 Posts

Specializes in Emergency/ICU.

Nursing informatics, chart auditing, or telephone triage? Not as stressful and you can work while you figure out what you want to do. Sounds like you need a breather to gain some perspective. Take the time to consider how you can refocus the energy you spent on your degree into doing something you will enjoy. No shame in cutting your losses and changing directions if it turns out nursing or NP is not for you. Your degree is still valuable. Best wishes!

There are tons of different jobs out there that require NO patient care. You can work with an IT dept., law firm, informatics, staff educator, etc. Patient care is not for everyone.

RNperdiem, RN

4,592 Posts

Keep your nursing license active. Nursing does pay well. Especially compared to a lot of twentysomethings who graduated educated but with few marketable skills.

With a couple of years of experience, you are marketable and have something to fall back on if the Job Search for something else does not turn up anything better.

You are an RN , graduating with a BSN and in your early twenties.

Back up .. look at that from another point of view. Can you IMAGINE how many people want to be in your position?

Yes, floor nursing/ LTC is stressful. You need to get beyond that . Two years experience with a BSN opens many doors for you.... go open one.

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Graduate with that BSN and go to PA school. If I could go back I would chosen the PA route over the DNP. I like the educational model better. Just my opinion though and my flame suit is on.....proceed

nneokill175

222 Posts

You are an RN , graduating with a BSN and in your early twenties.

Back up .. look at that from another point of view. Can you IMAGINE how many people want to be in your position?

Yes, floor nursing/ LTC is stressful. You need to get beyond that . Two years experience with a BSN opens many doors for you.... go open one.

What doors are open? What can you do after the 2 years of nursing experience from a longterm/ sub acute facility?

nneokill175

222 Posts

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