Are there any less stressful areas of nursing?

[AmyRN1227]

Hi all,

I've been working on an Oncology/med-surg floor for about a year and a half now. My patient is load is usually 8-9pts and they are high acuity. Some of them should be in ICU. I feel like I'm really getting burnt out, like I want to leave nursing. I really want to go to OB but I know now it's going to be hard to get in, since I have no experience and that's what they usually want. I love my Oncology pts but I want to switch before I want to leave nursing all together. What about outpatient, rehab, or home health? Anyone think these areas are less stressful or is nursing stressful no matter where you go?

Thanks....trying to keep a positive attitude.... :confused:

Amy

[SmilingBluEyes]

The original question of the post is:

"are there any less stressful areas of nursing?"

This is what lead us to talk about what may be construed as "easy" or not. I think this is why the answers have been what they are. Anyhow...I am gonna ask:

Why OB? just curious---

cause it certainly is NOT "less stressful" even tho so many think it is all peaches and cream and happiness and flowers.....so I was-----

just wondering what lead you to that area, is all----nothing more.

Also, I can offer: perhaps i can help you, being a 6-year OB nurse.

[sleddogrn]

I understood the original post as asking what area of nursing is "less stress", not what is "easy". If you assume she wants an "easy" job it is kind of a slap in the face suggesting that she is lazy. I don't think she is lazy. I think she wants to find an area of nursing in which she can thrive and function productively, and enjoy her job the majority of the time. Some oncology nurses can do that, some ICU nurses can do that, and some OB nurses can do that. You must first identify the patient population you want to work with, then find a job in that area.

We all know that whatever area we end up in, there will be stress. We just need to find an area that has less of the kind of stress that is hardest for us individually. For me, it's the 'crazies' that stress me out, but for one of my friends, she loves behavioral health. She can't stand working with babies, she freaks whenever they take a downturn. There's no easy answer, since nursing is a responsibility-filled job wherever you work.

The least stressed out nurses I've seen are in occupational health. But many of them complain that they don't feel like they're doing real nursing. They are just managing programs and teaching.

I'm in the CICU, and I'm stressed. But I like my patient population, so it's OK. If I can't handle it, I'll go to another area of nursing for a change, but there will still be a different type of stress. As long as I feel I'm making a difference, I'll keep on nursing.

Good Luck, and follow your heart!