Bored, Trying to figure out what to do.

[deej394]

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!

[Jadedrose]

I have found a decrease in the ability to job shadow from multiple organizations. It is a shame. I think many employees see sensitive information everyday. At least as a RN interested in a certain specialty would be giving his or her own time to shadow. Maybe I am wrong but the legalities and politics hurt nursing practice more than they help.

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

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.

I think it's awfully presumptuous of you to say that no one is ever going to be happy or satisfied with their work. While I agree that the current attitude of entitlement is a sickness I also believe that one can in fact be happy with what they do. I for example am very happy with my life and work. As a psych nurse I get to see people at their very worst and help them become stable. Some will never be well but they can with my help achieve a level of wellness that allows them to live a work at least for a while in society. While there are days when I am tired or would rather be fishing I truly love going to work everyday. Balance is the key though. I have a full life outside of work that includes family, hobbies, athletic and oh did I mention fishing. Nursing gives me an opportunity to help others as well as afford and plan fishing trips to some of the most interesting and exotic places. I am planning a trip in the next two years to go after the giant Well's catfish in Spain.

The key to enjoying your specialty is to commit yourself to constant learning, join a professional practice association, mentor your peers and be able to leave work at work when you call it a day.

Peace

Hppy

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

I can't edit my other post but this is a giant Well's catfish

Just a stock image BTW Not my fish

Hppy

[Cat365]

Are you bored because you don't feel busy enough or because you don't feel like you are learning?

A different type of patients might help. Maybe a step down unit or the ER. Your rarely not moving in the ER and there is no possibility of planning your day.