I'm sorry this is so long, but I am in dire need of some help. I have posted this in 1st year nursing but need some real help so I have posted here too. I just read the "paying dues" thread, so I realize that many of you will flame me for not wanting to pay my dues in the hospital. Instead of flaming me for it, I really hope you will overlook your feelings on that and give me some advice instead. Please.
I have posted here before about how I was hired as a new grad on the birthing center of our hospital - the one job I had thought for a long time was the one for me. I actually chose to go to nursing school with that goal in mind. I am an "older" new grad at 44, having raised 4 sons. All through school I did my clinicals in the hospital thinking "I am so glad I don't have to do this" - be it med-surg or ortho or whatever. I did fine but I really hated it. I just don't feel a calling to do it. I had and still have no interest in hospital nursing other than the birthing center.
So as some of you know, I oriented on days and, although it was very, very difficult and much different than I had expected, I was gradually getting it. I had some tough times but nothing that any other new grad wouldn't have had. Then they switched me over to nights and the bottom fell out. I was almost completely unable to sleep during the day, at all. I would try to nap during the day on my first night but couldn't. So I would go in and work 13 hours, come home and sleep for about 2 to 2.5 hours total, then be unable to sleep any more that day. So I would have to work another 13 hours on 2.5 hours sleep in the past 36 hours. It was unbearable on me, and also very hard on my sons - three of whom are still at home. My 10 year old was very negatively affected. My husband could tell I was on the edge of collapse but tried hard to be supportive. I only lasted on nights for a couple of weeks before I realized that I would end up in the hospital myself if I kept doing it. I spoke to my nurse manager and she was very nice, but told me it was nights or nothing, as they had nothing open on days. I very sadly bowed out and am now unemployed.
I am absolutely reeling now. I am questioning everything. I really thought it would be the right thing for me, and it may have been if I hadn't had to switch to nights. Everyone is telling me "go to med surg! go to ortho! etc" and the truth is, I would rather not be a nurse than do hospital nursing on any other floor. I don't mean to knock nurses who do this - I have a TON of respect for them in fact. I am just not one of them. At this age, I know my abilities and limitations.
All through school my clinical instructors told me that pt education was my strength - especially childbirth, breastfeeding and newborn care. How do I use this strength - and this nursing license - without working on the birthing center? Please, please don't tell me to suck it up and work med-surg - I can't and won't. I don't mean to be unflexible, but it would be like telling a double amputee to suck it up and walk anyway. Not the best analogy, but it just is not for me.
Can anyone tell me what they would do in this situation? Lactation consulting would be at least 2 more years of extensive schooling and I don't feel I can do that at this time. I need a paying job, but don't see a lot of light at the end of this tunnel. Are there any physician's office nurses out there? I could use some advice on that. Please help. Thank you.
The good thing about nursing is you have options. There are many different types of jobs you can go for. I chose to work in a clinic, granted they pay less, but you have a steady shift, most of the time pretty good benefits. I knew that being a single mom it would be hard to do hospital work. I loved it in clinicals, but ultimately decided that I needed that mon-friday job.
I think checking with your health department would be a great starter. I dont know about everywhere, but our health department has nurses that go out and counsel with pregnant women and continue through the first few weeks of the child's life. Something like that could be good. Just check out and dont get discouraged, hospital work isnt the only thing out there. It just doesnt work for everyone.
I will be working flu shot clinics for the next 2 months, so that's something. It will give me a chance to think more and try to network more too.
If nothing else comes up, and even if it does, I may decide to offer my pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and newborn care teaching to our local crisis pregnancy center- a pro-life organization that counsels girls and women who've decided against abortion. I can't think of anyone who may be more in need of someone who can really teach them this stuff. I think this may be what I was "supposed" to do. I am blessed to be in a situation where I can offer my services for a very reduced rate (or free). I can't believe I never thought of it. :loveya:
I will be working flu shot clinics for the next 2 months, so that's something. It will give me a chance to think more and try to network more too.
If nothing else comes up, and even if it does, I may decide to offer my pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and newborn care teaching to our local crisis pregnancy center- a pro-life organization that counsels girls and women who've decided against abortion. I can't think of anyone who may be more in need of someone who can really teach them this stuff. I think this may be what I was "supposed" to do. I am blessed to be in a situation where I can offer my services for a very reduced rate (or free). I can't believe I never thought of it. :loveya:
I admire you for putting family first. I'm not really happy with my med/surg job either. I'm sucking it up though trying to get experience, plus I signed a contract for a huge sign on bonus. I'm just scared that if I quit only after 6 months, it will be very hard for me to find a job elsewhere. I don't think my family is suffering too bad, but it was definintely more peaceful around here before I started work. Now I just sleep depressed all day, don't cook, don't exercise anymore, have huge dark circles under my eyes. I can sleep during the days, problem is, I'm just sleeping too much even on days off !
Anyway, I really do admire you for knowing your priorities. Goodluck.
Specializes in Nursing Ed, Ob/GYN, AD, LTC, Rehab.
I would say go to an OB/GYN office.
I currently work in one and work 4 10s, no weekends or holidays. All I do all day long is lactation, birth, and GYN care and so on. Its a great job and sounds like its right up your alley. Good luck!
PedsAtHeart, LPN
375 Posts
The good thing about nursing is you have options. There are many different types of jobs you can go for. I chose to work in a clinic, granted they pay less, but you have a steady shift, most of the time pretty good benefits. I knew that being a single mom it would be hard to do hospital work. I loved it in clinicals, but ultimately decided that I needed that mon-friday job.
I think checking with your health department would be a great starter. I dont know about everywhere, but our health department has nurses that go out and counsel with pregnant women and continue through the first few weeks of the child's life. Something like that could be good. Just check out and dont get discouraged, hospital work isnt the only thing out there. It just doesnt work for everyone.