Any advice for this Stagnant RN..

caliotter3 · Dec 23, 2014

When I am working I feel as stagnant as you do. It costs too much in time and money to progress and at this stage of the game, not really worth it. I cycle between being bored as all getout on the job and being unemployed. Between the two, I prefer to be bored. A matter of perspective. You say you are fine with your personal and family life, just add paycheck to that and you will be ok.

xSoCaLRNx · Dec 23, 2014

When I am working I feel as stagnant as you do. It costs too much in time and money to progress and at this stage of the game, not really worth it. I cycle between being bored as all getout on the job and being unemployed. Between the two, I prefer to be bored. A matter of perspective. You say you are fine with your personal and family life, just add paycheck to that and you will be ok.

Yup, I feel the same...I guess I prefer to be bored as well if I get to choose. With me, it seems like I go through extremes...either I am bored with my work or feel overwhelmed!

I have also tried unsuccessfully to get a part-time or per-diem at another facility..as a floor nurse on med/surg/tele...but my hourly pay is probably too much to match?

caliotter3 · Dec 23, 2014

Are you too old to go back to school and is it worthwhile for you? You know, if you can afford it, you could take classes just for the mental stimulation, if another degree is not practical.

xSoCaLRNx · Dec 23, 2014

Are you too old to go back to school and is it worthwhile for you? You know, if you can afford it, you could take classes just for the mental stimulation, if another degree is not practical.

I don't think I'm too old yet..I just turned 42..Nowadays, they say 40's is the new 30's?? :up: It would probably be nice to have a master's degree eventually. Maybe I'll wait till my kids are a bit older and look around for a program.. I have a 6th grader and 3rd graders. My boys are a handful...If it's NOT work on my mind...it's my kids! Thank you for your input @caliotter3

SuzieWill · Dec 23, 2014

It seems like you're actually in a pretty good position in your career! You've had the chance to try out a lot of specializations so you know what you do and don't like. I think you just need to decide what it is you really want to do, haha! And based on what you've said, it's not a completely stagnant situation. There is at least room and potential for growth as you will be eligible for seniority! Not too shabby if you ask me! :)

Gooselady, BSN, RN · Dec 23, 2014

Are you sure you aren't me?

First, there's that first year as a nurse, where you wonder what in fresh hell you've gotten yourself into . . . and then just when you can do nursing with your hands tied behind your back, here comes boredom and lack of interest.

I blew out my right knee and could NOT return any time soon to my floor nurse job (medical oncology), as the MRI showed nothing surgical to fix, except a giant white spot indicating severe inflammation. No arthritis, no tears, just a knee double it's size and really unstable. For months prior, I'd had to drag myself to work, had no desire to pursue OCN or much of any desire to pursue palliative care or hospice out patient.

In my time off, I resigned so the position could be filled and sat here for four months living off my savings. I could not make myself go back, once I was gone. It got very scary, let's put it that way. What the hell was I going to do? But time heals everything, and after a lot of thinking and reflecting, I figured I did not want to work full time, nor did I need to. What about nursing did I really, truly love?

I've always had an armchair interest in pediatrics/neonatal. Absolutely NO experience whatsoever except in nursing school. In perusing the job sites, I found pediatric private duty jobs all over the place. The more I looked into it . . . well, you know. The more excited and interested I got. I recently accepted a position with an agency and frankly, am really looking forward to it.

This is such a huge shift, and I'm not sure if just spending the summer off work entirely cleared my mind or what. I would have never thought I'd get 'excited' about something new. Maybe I'm nuts. It just goes to show if you keep your eyes open, and get honest about what really interests you aside from your day job, strange and wonderful things can happen :)

ArrowRN, BSN, RN · Dec 25, 2014

I'm just starting out in nursing a few years younger than you, but what I plan to do from early on is get more involved in the community and spend some time outside work as a volunteer. I know you wont get paid for it, but its something that could help bring back meaning to why you choose nursing. The hospital environment is really harsh and even as a newbie just spending my hours sitting at a computer charting is not what I went to school for.I don't know what to suggest but try a donating time at a foodbank once per week or something, or find a local clinic that needs volunteer nurses.

xSoCaLRNx · Dec 25, 2014

It seems like you're actually in a pretty good position in your career! You've had the chance to try out a lot of specializations so you know what you do and don't like. I think you just need to decide what it is you really want to do, haha! And based on what you've said, it's not a completely stagnant situation. There is at least room and potential for growth as you will be eligible for seniority! Not too shabby if you ask me! :)

ur right! there is always room for growth :) thanx for ur input..i might look into joining some committee or something..make myself useful for the time-being until i know what my next step will be..

xSoCaLRNx · Dec 25, 2014

Are you sure you aren't me?
First, there's that first year as a nurse, where you wonder what in fresh hell you've gotten yourself into . . . and then just when you can do nursing with your hands tied behind your back, here comes boredom and lack of interest.
I blew out my right knee and could NOT return any time soon to my floor nurse job (medical oncology), as the MRI showed nothing surgical to fix, except a giant white spot indicating severe inflammation. No arthritis, no tears, just a knee double it's size and really unstable. For months prior, I'd had to drag myself to work, had no desire to pursue OCN or much of any desire to pursue palliative care or hospice out patient.
In my time off, I resigned so the position could be filled and sat here for four months living off my savings. I could not make myself go back, once I was gone. It got very scary, let's put it that way. What the hell was I going to do? But time heals everything, and after a lot of thinking and reflecting, I figured I did not want to work full time, nor did I need to. What about nursing did I really, truly love?
I've always had an armchair interest in pediatrics/neonatal. Absolutely NO experience whatsoever except in nursing school. In perusing the job sites, I found pediatric private duty jobs all over the place. The more I looked into it . . . well, you know. The more excited and interested I got. I recently accepted a position with an agency and frankly, am really looking forward to it.
This is such a huge shift, and I'm not sure if just spending the summer off work entirely cleared my mind or what. I would have never thought I'd get 'excited' about something new. Maybe I'm nuts. It just goes to show if you keep your eyes open, and get honest about what really interests you aside from your day job, strange and wonderful things can happen :)

hmmmmm....we do have similarities :up: im looking into transferring into another position that i jus applied for...butwe'll have to see how it turns out.. im hoping to hear something by next week. i jus dont wanna jinx myself jus yet so i wont say anything..but im thinking this is just what i need. ive been having "itchy feet" for the last 2 years...and it's not fun..ill update hopefully w/good news..