Regret Leaving Nursing Too Soon

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I graduated from nursing school with a BSN in May 2010. Nursing was my second career and I didn't start nursing school until I was 40 years old. I was in an accelerated BSN program in Los Angeles and found a job quickly out of school.

I worked on the floor for 8 months before moving to the OR which is where I thought I wanted to be. I only lasted in the OR for 15 months.

I am now working at another hospital in an administrative position and am starting to regret my decision to leave clinical nursing.

I am seriously considering trying to move back into the clinical arena but I know that I cannot go back to working on a regular med/surg floor or working in a busy OR. I am afraid that my lack of solid experience in nursing may hinder my efforts.

Has anyone else left clinical nursing early in their career and tried to return to the clinical setting?

Any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated.

One has moved into Clinical Informatics, one became a Diabetic Educator - the others still have full-time admin positions.

This is one of the things I love a about the field of nursing — there are so many options and possibilities. I'm doing things in clinical research (not as a nurse) right now, and I'm gravitating toward that as a nursing career. Education, informatics, etc. are also great options.

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I think you picked up some solid skills working 8 months on the floor. I graduated in May 2010 and "only lasted" 2 months on the floor, so 8 months seems like a good while to me. After working in clinics and now at a school full-time, I decided I wanted to pick up some more skills so I have started in Home Health prn. I think your 8 months of med-surg and your OR experience would make you a great candidate for this. It's slower paced yet you still get to use your skills. Best of luck :)

And you have a good opportunity to spend quality time with a patient, rather than running around like crazy on an understaffed floor. You also have the opportunity to do more things, simply because there is no support infrastructure, and you have more autonomy in making decisions.

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Omnibashu,

The type of attitude that you received after submitting this post is the very core of the problem that the nursing field has---nurses are so d*&m catty! Why can't we just foster a environment of respect and support?!

I don't have any advice, as I'm a second degree accelerated student myself (set to graduate in December!) but I wish you all the best of luck!

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I think Ruby was suggesting that the OP do some introspection.

That's what helps you come up with a plan.

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Specializes in Med/surg, Quality & Risk.
Ruby Vee,

I "only lasted" 8 months on the floor because it was a waiting period until the OR training program started. I "only lasted" in the OR for 15 months because I herniated a disk. I'm not sure what you're idea of "fast-paced" is or what town you live in...but I worked at the two largest hospitals in Los Angeles, so I know what "fast-paced" is.

I'm not sure why so many people choose to respond to posts by being condescending and discouraging. I guess people just like to pass their misery on. No thank you. You can keep yours.

I guess I just don't see how this response is condescending.

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Specializes in Managed Care, Onc/Neph, Home Health.

You may feel my post is catty, but what career did you come from into nursing? Many people think its easy to transition, and its not, you will always "only last" somewhere, because that is the way it will be. Its not as easy as it seems. Its not like nursing school. It will not get better. Patient ratio's will continue to increase in bedside nursing. I am not being funny or flip, this is reality. You have to stand on your own 2 feet sometime

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Specializes in Ambulatory Surgery, PACU,SICU.

You might reflect some on the kind of nursing that speaks to you. I think I understood you to say that you like to spend time with your patients. Even with 2 pts in an ICU, I don't spend that much time with the patient, visiting. But there are fields where you can do that, I worked Ambulatory surgery (phase 2) and although the pace was quick, the patients were healthy and chatty.

Probably home health would give you lots of patient interaction, and perhaps Rehab, but I am not sure, that would depend on the patient load.

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
omnibashu,

the type of attitude that you received after submitting this post is the very core of the problem that the nursing field has---nurses are so d*&m catty! why can't we just foster a environment of respect and support?!

i don't have any advice, as i'm a second degree accelerated student myself (set to graduate in december!) but i wish you all the best of luck!

i didn't see the responses as being catty. many of the posters were trying to help the op figure out what

sort of setting would suit her. it would have been helpful to have the information about why she left bedside nursing in her original post.

it's best not to look for offense when none is intended.

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Specializes in PICU, NICU, L&D, Public Health, Hospice.

Hospice and ambulatory care can certainly be an option for a slower pace and more patient interaction. However, hospice care in the field requires a certain level of clinical competence, confidence and skill that you might not possess...only you can answer that question.

I have gone back and forth from management, education, and bedside nursing in a variety of specialties...it can be done and nursing is relatively unique in the number of opportunities for work over a span of a lifetime career.

Good luck.

ps...I did not read anything condescending about Ruby's response to your post, perhaps you are feeling a bit frustrated and sensitive about your situation?

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You mentioned herniated discs, how is that going to work in a acute care bedside environment/ Will you be medically cleared to work? Bedside nursing is alot of pulling and truning and pushing heavy patients.

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Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..

I don't think it is too late, you can easily go back to work as a nurse. And it is just a matter of time before you figure out what fits. I wonder about maybe doing temp to hire or agency work, your resume may suffer from your exploration otherwise. But - don't give up. I didn't like med-surg (too busy, too much pressure) - but LOVED ICU.

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Everyone,

I thank you all for your responses, they are all giving me food for thought and genuine insight into my journey to finding the right nursing career for me. If I offended anyone, particularly RubyVee, I am sorry. Someone posted that I may be frustrated by my current position and I think that is accurate. Again I apologize for responding from a place of anger. I will continue to seek insight and welcome all kinds of input.

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