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.
To the OP- I'm not sure changing jobs and specialties just before starting grad school is a good idea. If you change now you may have enough time to get settled in to a new unit/specialty and routine, but maybe delaying school is the right choice- especially if you are unsure if you want to go the FNP or ACNP route.
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.
FNP Studies will take care of the boredom thing. I've not known too many ICU nurses to say they have boring jobs. Sometimes its just time to move on and experience new challenges in life. Nothing wrong with that!!! Good Luck!!!
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
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!
Boredom may be an early sign of burnout. Or not. There are plenty of threads on how to deal with burnout -- google a few of them and think about whether any of the suggestions seem as though they will help. Two and a half years is long enough to be competent at your job, but there is always more to learn. Are you focused on continuing to learn? Or are you just going through the motions right now? Only you can answer that. The key to being more challenged at work is usually to challenge yourself to learn more . . . sending blood gases on your patient? Make sure you understand the ins and outs of normal blood gases and what an abnormal result may indicate. Do you understand all the meds you're giving inside and out? Side effects, toxicity, interactions with the other drugs the patient is getting?
As far as happiness - most folks are just as happy as they make up their minds to be. That includes at work as well as in general. If you make up your mind that you are going to be happy with your job, in the absence if any truly toxic aspect of your job, you probably will be happy. You have to CHOOSE happiness, not just vaguely want it. I'm not saying I'm happy every single day -- but most days. Focus on the positives, not the negatives.
If you choose to be happy and to challenge yourself, you're well on the way to being happy.
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.
It may be most helpful to think about what you do find interesting and challenging in your current role and aim to expand on that. What are those things?
Basically if anyone can help, I feel like I've stagnated and I don't know what to do.
Using the word "stagnated" here is interesting and perhaps telling about the root of your issue, which if you don't address, will follow you to every job and every role. Stagnation occurs when you stop learning/progressing/developing. I think some of the prior comments were pointed if not harsh but there is truth to the fact that those that are challenged and excited and happy with their jobs are the ones that are actively involved in their own development in the role. It implies that you have stopped investing in continued learning and development and this will naturally lead to boredom and stagnation.
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.
I have said many times there is only one good reason to move to APN: the desire for the provider role. If that is your motivation you are far more likely to enjoy your job. If you do it for boredom, or money, or schedule, or whatever else you are at much higher risk of burnout.
Shadow some APNs before you decide: you may like/dislike the role, you may find primary care is more challenging that tertiary care or vise versa, or you may find you like something completely different.
AceOfHearts<3
916 Posts
To the OP- I'm not sure changing jobs and specialties just before starting grad school is a good idea. If you change now you may have enough time to get settled in to a new unit/specialty and routine, but maybe delaying school is the right choice- especially if you are unsure if you want to go the FNP or ACNP route.
Good luck!