anxiety about not getting a m/s job

[pinkiepie_RN]

While in NS, I worked as a tech in a free standing psych hospital. This became applicable experience when I applied for psych new grad positions but now I'm starting to second guess myself. I love my job but I don't see myself staying in psych forever. I could see myself doing any of the following specialties: peds, PACU, ED, neuro. I'm scared that if I stay in psych for more than a year, I'll never get the chance to do anything else because I'll be pegged as a "psych nurse".

I love my job, honestly I do, but I can't help but wonder if the grass is greener in a specialty where I'll use more of the skills that I learned in NS. I've been off of orientation for a little over a month now and I'm working nocs, which isn't something I can change. I feel like I'm not being challenged enough because I'm seeing the same types of patients, same patients even, over and over again.

[Guest321574]

Wow, I could have written this word for word. I just started in psych as well, and while not my first choice, I wasn't necessarily unhappy about it. Except that I am also afraid I'll never be able to do anything else, and the extent of some of the pts mental illness leaves me feeling like my work is a lost cause. It doesn't leave me feeling like I can help or be useful, which is really why I wanted to be a nurse! Intellectually I know I am useful, but still...I don't know.

But, I encourage you (as I have been encouraging myself) to stay positive. Keep applying for medsurg jobs if you feel you'd be willing to change positions. I'm lucky that I work only part-time, so I theoretically can pick up another job (relieve some of the stigma of leaving so soon - I don't actually have to leave if I were to find something).

Hang in there!