Bored with cardiac but stuck

ADeks · Jan 17, 2014

I felt the same way after a year on a cardiac tele floor. I applied to the ER and left. Now would be the time to start looking into ICU if that's where you want to go!

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Jan 17, 2014

OK - I can definitely identify with OP's post. But, for a start, I'd suggest re-framing the situation. Rather than "bored" (which could denote laziness or lack of effort) I would say OP may be experiencing a "loss of interest". For some of us, this is a very predictable reaction if we go too long without being challenged to learn new things - - because we're happy learners. We are most energized & motivated when we're faced with new/changing circumstances.

My clinical practice area is critical care also. And, to be honest, I also found CCU work very repetitive. I really looked forward to the occasional IABP, VAD or very rare trauma patient who had undergone CV surgery. The BEST CC unit I ever worked in was a 'general' unit... huge 60-bed department with all types of patients; all ages, all diagnoses! Loved it!!! Unfortunately, those types of settings are very rare these days. My favorite specialty CC setting is trauma... there is such a wide variation in that patient population. Based on my own experience, I urge the OP to move into a CC setting with a wider variety of patients.

From one 'happy learner' to another..... Move on to another area, and when that 'been there done that' feeling arises, you'll know it's time to move again.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jan 17, 2014

Ive always known I wanted to be a critical care nurse, but I knew there were certain steps to take before I can get there. I'm a year into cardiac nursing and I'm bored. I don't feel engaged, or like I'm learning anything new, and it's difficult for me to constantly exhibit dedication and intensity in my position when I don't feel intellectually stimulated of professionally challenged. Acting bored can EASILY be misconceived as lack of interested. I feel stuck!

If you're bored after only a year, you're not doing it right. A year is a very short time, and you've got a lot to learn about being a nurse. Please don't tell me you already "know it all." You don't, and at one year you probably don't even know what you don't know. If you want to apply to critical care, apply to critical care but please know that you're going to have to BE engaged. If you're only pretending, you won't fly.

ADeks · Jan 17, 2014

If you're bored after only a year you're not doing it right. A year is a very short time, and you've got a lot to learn about being a nurse. Please don't tell me you already "know it all." You don't, and at one year you probably don't even know what you don't know. If you want to apply to critical care, apply to critical care but please know that you're going to have to BE engaged. If you're only pretending, you won't fly.[/quote']
I had one year experience on a cardiac tele floor and I felt like I wasn't getting any new experience. It's very repetitive. Yes, if I saw a patient going south I would be on top of it, but most times they just get transferred to ICU and you're no longer a part of that pt care. I was unhappy towards the end of my year and dreaded going to work because it was always the same. No challenge and anything new was so few and far between. I applied to critical care and ER, ended up in the ER and I love the difference. New diagnoses, critical patients.

HeartRN13 · Jan 18, 2014

A few of the replies here are presumptive, rude, and misinterpretation. I did preface my post by saying I HAVE ALWAYS KNOWN I WANTED TO BE A CRITICAL CARE NURSE, and I knew that starting in cardiac was THE BEST FIRST STEP for my goal. I never claimed once to know everything, not did I imply in any way that I dislike it, or don't have anything else to learn. I was referring to the repetition, the volume of chest pain rule outs, the telemetry admissions with no clinical indication for it to fill beds, and the lack of variety I see. I was referring to the fact that it is not a wide spectrum of cases, and I'd like to learn more. Lack of interest? Absolutely not, if that were the case it would reflect with poor performance, which is not the case. We learn new things EVERY day with every patient, I just would like to experience more CRITICAL patients. Sounds like the "know it alls" are the ones who responded rudely with presumptive statements to this post. A clear example of what I mentioned in the first post, that it leads to MISCONCEPTIONS.

HeartRN13 · Jan 18, 2014

And another additive, is that nursing is so versatile that we have the advantage of transition and advancement. It's trial and error and some nurses are happy in cardiac and have no desire to move. Does that make them LAZY, or UNMOTIVATED? Have they become so mastered and experienced that it means they're no longer dedicated? No, it doesn't. Just like each patient is different, each nurse is different. I hope you don't practice the way you preach because it doesn't sound like you possess the therapeutic or motivational characteristics that nurses should. Thanks for the support by the way!

Evangaline · Jan 18, 2014

Yes I can see why you became bored after one year of cardiac. The same cardiac assessments, the same cardiac drugs, ECGs and telemetry for almost all the patience. When patience drop like flies it is no longer a shock because you have been around the block a few times were that is concerned and you know exactly what to do and all the documentation that goes along with it. Yeah I would say it is definitely time to move on.