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Discussion

Advice

Hello all...this is my first post to all nurses although I have been visiting the site for the past few years and finally decided to try a post.

I have aver been nursing for approximately 5 years now. I started as a float nurse which involved floating to 4 different hospitals working medicine and ER. I found floating difficult as I never really got a good foundation anywhere. In my first year or two my attitude towards nursing went from totally happy and excited to depressed, miserable and wanting to quitevery other week. Anyway long story short I have worked Med, ER and long term care and still have anxiety, worry and depression related to working as a nurse some days I wish I never had to ever work as a nurse again.

Recently I decided to upgrade to finish my nursing degree to give me additional job options and more work place respect.

I guess the advice I am looking for is should I not be feeling comfortable as a nurse now? Should my anxiety and worry about work not be minimal after 5 years? Shouldn't I be loving my work? Is anyone else 5 years into nursing and feel like they made a huge mistake choosing nursing but are so far into it that They can't quit now? Please anyone looking for some advice and support as I'm feeling alone with these concerns.

Thanks in advance.

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    I think you haven't found your niche in nursing yet. You haven't found a specialty or a unit that's your fit.

    And fwiw, I started as a foot nurse and lasted less than 6 months floating. As in I said find me a unit or I'm gone! Well, they found me MICU and I loved it ( even though it was the last place I saw myself).

    I'm not there anymore, but I will admit as time went on, I had more anxiety. I was more relaxed in the beginning. I can't even explain it. I guess some near mistakes and some actual errors made me realize I'm human and it's a part of the job, but I was having a hard time dealing with that.

    Try out different areas. And I can tell you, it was my coworkers that made a difference. I loved everyone I worked with and we were a very close knit family. I've been out for 3 years now, but I made life long friends there.

    Good luck, I hope you find a way to love nursing again.

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    Are you still floating? Floating adds another level of stress . Starting as float is next to impossible.

    The fact that you did it, shows admirable strength.

    Settle in somewhere and see if that improves the situation.

    Get creative with a job search. 5 years experience , along with the flexibility you demonstrate.. opens many doors for you.

    I found my case management position through a contractor position, they hire associate prepared nurses.

    Good luck.

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    • Author

    Thanks for the advice guys.

    I guess I just expected that's anxiety would lessen with time and the fact that it has increased really took a toll on my confidence and I start to second guess myself.

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    I totally agree that you should find your "home" - I worked for 3 months as "regional float pool" - working in L&D at three different hospitals (it was a PRN job, I also had a fulltime job at one hospital) - I HATED IT. I had originally had plans to be a traveler, and realized that that is just not my personality. I need to feel comfortable in a unit, know where everything is, and create relationships with my coworkers. Perhaps that is what you need as well.

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    • Author

    I just really have a hard time not being overly critical of myself and am so scared of making a mistake. Also every time I am about to go back to a unit after not being there for like a month I feel very nervous.

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