Boston area nurses?

[Joyfulgirl29]

Hello!

I am a nurse who is not so sure that I want to continue on this chosen career path, and I am joining this site in search of some support, advice, networking, and hopefully to gain some new friendships along the way.

I have only been a nurse (BSN) for 4 years, working as an RN for just over 3. Prior to getting my nursing degree, I worked for close to 7 years as a reproductive health clinical assistant, so the world of healthcare and patient interaction is not new to me. I went into nursing school with the thought of continuing on to get my Masters and become a womens health nurse practitioner, but so far have not made any decisions to pursue this further.

Basically, the experiences I have had since leaving my old job as a clinical assistant and moving into the world of nursing school, hospital nursing, and then office nursing, have left me feeling rather disappointed and confused. I have not enjoyed any of my jobs all that much...I have been stressed, scared, worried that I will make a critical error or do something that will cause me to look stupid in the eyes of my colleagues, and as a result I am already becoming quite burned out.

I'm starting to think that this was the wrong career move, but I'm not really ready to give up on it just yet. I was a straight-A student in nursing school, and was in a pretty rigorous program, so I know that I'm no dummy. And I'm old enough to feel confident in my interpersonal skills - I've been working for close to 17 years in various public service roles. So I don't think it's an issue of maturity.

I'm hoping to meet people on this site who have found creative ways to be a nurse - perhaps roles that do not involve such direct patient care as most typical hospital or office jobs? I love teaching, I love promoting wellness, and I think I have a special skill when it comes to helping to calm and reassure people in times of stress. What I dislike is the technical side of nursing. I hate needles, monitors, pharmaceuticals, wond care, etc. I don't really like the hands-on aspect of nursing. Usually when I say this, my non-nurse friends ask me, "well then why on earth did you become a nurse anyway??" I often wonder that same thing myself...

But I do believe that there is a niche out there for me, i just haven't found it yet.

I'd love to learn about other nurses who have found ways to be creative, share their knowledge of health and wellness, but are not responsible for direct one-on-one patient care. Are you writers for journals? Educators? Lactation consultants? Nutrition counselors? What have you done to capitalize on your training as a nurse, but also managed to work in an alternative capacity?

Thank you all in advance for any insights or suggestions! :loveya:

I look forward to some good discussions!

Take care,

J.

[Boston-RN, RN]

Most options either require more education or more experience (or are office/clinic jobs). What about being a clinical instructor. Some CC are looking for BSN with approx 5 years of experience.

[bostongrad07]

have you looked into public health nursing? it seems like a completely different branch of nursing.. def. different than hospital nursing. you get to be with people on their own terms, like on the streets helping homeless..

[RNAMY]

interesting we share the same view as I am a new icu nurse. i have experienced the same level of fear and feel discomfort in caring for patients just as well. I have been a nurse for 2 years, and am also looking to get my experience and move on. I am looking for the same nitch you are so that i can feel comfortable in doing what i do. if you figure out new ways to work as a nurse, let me know! Good luck!

[Nursey Face]

have you considered working for planned parenthood? it sounds like a position more up your alley. there's one in allston that has a huge clinic. check out their website and see if could find any positions. I am pretty sure they hire BSN nurses and I KNOW a lot of their practitioners are NPs as well. They have a site called Plan, which is in Somerville and only does pap smears, birth control and testing and they have only NPs working there.