Bored, Trying to figure out what to do.

[deej394, BSN, MSN, RN]

I am a nurse on a cardiovascular stepdown unit and I have been there for about 2.5 years. I am very involved on the unit and have tried to come up with other things to help me be more satisfied with my job. I am a charge nurse, active on unit committees and involved in new nurse education. I'm feeling stuck because I don't know if there is anything that will make me happier and more challenged.

I've never really had an interest in going to the ICU. I just don't see myself caring for 1-2 patients at a time, even when they are much sicker. I think it would still end up being boring after a little while.

Basically if anyone can help, I feel like I've stagnated and I don't know what to do. I don't want to be one of those people who switches to a new job every two years, but this may be what I have to do for myself to be happy with work.

I am likely starting school in the fall for my FNP, but I am thinking that maybe I should go for the ACNP route, just to prevent myself from becoming bored as quickly.

If any of this makes any sense, and if anyone has any ideas for improvement, please let me know. I just applied to an ED job, and while I think I would like that, I don't know if it's the right solution.

Thanks!

[Buckeye.nurse]

Is there a cardiovascular equivalent to the oncology nursing society? If so, joining that might help you. Our society meets once a month. We network, make friends, eat dinner, and then listen to a continuing education presentation. It really helps me stay passionate about my field of nursing. I also became certified (I chose the med-surg specialty certification because I was new to oncology at the time). We still see a lot of med-surg issues on my hematology floor, and the knowledge I gained through studying for the exam enhances my confidence, and by extension, my job satisfaction.

I wish you luck!

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

My first thought was... how high and mighty of you. I worked 5 years in a cardiovascular unit and still had plenty to learn. You could take care of your patients, instead of wondering about yourself.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

My first thought was... how high and mighty of you. I worked 5 years in a cardiovascular unit and still had plenty to learn. You could take care of your patients, instead of wondering about yourself.

Hmmm. This is a little unnecessarily harsh I think.

My suggestion was going to be return to school. Get involved in professional development. Make sure your life outside of work is fulfilling as well. Best of luck.

[llg, PhD, RN]

Make sure your life outside of work is fulfilling as well. Best of luck.

This is more important than you might realize. Do you "live to work" ... or do you "work to live." A lot of newer nurses have been so focused on developing their careers as they go through nursing school and that first year or so of transition to practice -- that it is hard for them to switch gears and shift to a long-term lifestyle focus. They have spent the last several years pushing and pushing to get to the next step that it is difficult for them to pause and take a deep breath for a year or two (or 5) to simply enjoy where they are and develop a deeper level of expertise. Instead, they feel a drive to keep moving forward and that if they pause for a bit, they will stagnate forever.

There are differences between pausing, slowing down to develop a deeper level of knowledge and focus away from your career for a while as you set up you long term life -- and stagnation. Don't rush into grad school until you are sure of your long-term career path. Pause, reflect, maybe try another specialty (such as ED, if that interests you) and be grateful that you have become a successful professional nurse. Explore your options and figure out which long-term career path will suit your preferences and talents the best as you save your money and continue to develop your expertise. Get a job in the field you believe you want to study in graduate school. (For example, if you think you would like being an FNP, work in the type of environment that has FNP's to see if you would be happy working in a place like that.) Then (and only then) invest in grad school.

[RNKPCE]

Pick up a per diem job in a completely different area if some place will train you. Though with starting school again you probably won't have much time. I agree with making sure you are fulfilled in your personal life too.

[sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN]

I'd look for a position in CVICU, amp the acuity......

[EGspirit]

I have news for anyone listening: You will never be happy or satisfied with the job you do to earn a living. It's not possible, and you're better off figuring out how to deal with it than trying to avoid it or improve it. You won't be happy as an FNP, and you won't be happy in the ER. You won't be happy working at Walmart either. We have a very sick society these days where everyone feels entitled to happiness. And yet, happiness is not something people typically ever find. And if they do, and they're whistling in the car on the way to work--the next phone call may be that a horrible tragedy has just entered their lives.

Now, enough of the pretty words.

The fact is, we work to earn a living. There may be a higher calling we are serving, especially as a nurse, and it may be that we don't want to do anything else for a living as a result of that calling, but we are still going to work to labor for our living.

Don't expect so much happiness out of your job. You're never going to find it, but you could end up going into massive debt or making unnecessary risky moves in an effort to do so. It's not worth it. If you're competent and respected where you are, then stay there. The only reason to move from there is if you need to make more money.

That's my opinion, anyway.

[dmjones42]

I don't think they're trying to suggest that there is nothing left to learn. I also disagree that there is no way in life to be happy with your job. That's a crazy idea.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Hmmm. This is a little unnecessarily harsh I think.

My suggestion was going to be return to school. Get involved in professional development. Make sure your life outside of work is fulfilling as well. Best of luck.

Not harsh.. speaking the truth.

[brandy1017, ASN, RN]

There is nothing wrong with transferring to another unit and trying a different specialty. Nowadays you usually get a chance to job shadow, meet coworkers, get a feel for the job and if you might like it. I wouldn't rush back to school if you aren't motivated by a strong desire to be an NP. Changing jobs is very common in nursing, especially as a newer nurse.

[AceOfHearts<3]

We have a very sick society these days where everyone feels entitled to happiness. And yet, happiness is not something people typically ever find. And if they do, and they're whistling in the car on the way to work--the next phone call may be that a horrible tragedy has just entered their lives.

Well, you are just a little ray of sunshine.

I do believe the forefathers of the USA thought everyone is entitled to trying to be happy- you know the whole "life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness" thing in the Declaration of Independence.

I think it is possible for a person to be happy with their job overall, but it's unrealistic to be happy with it every single day.

I'm happy with my job in critical care overall- sure there are things that I don't like and that frustrate me and I have some really horrible shifts at times, but the good tends to outweigh the bad.

My personal life is far from perfect, but I have plenty of things outside work that make me happy. I do stuff with friends and family, I have an exercise routine that I love, and I spend time outside which makes me happy. I also have an incredibly goofy dog that makes me laugh and smile every single day. I have my troubles too- a parent with significant health issues, a sibling deployed overseas, issues with some of my extended family, and I'm recovering from an accident. Overall though, the good outweighs the bad and I am happy.