Career advice - rehab, medsurg, school

[Hayleyjc26]

I have currently worked as a nurse on a medsurg unit for 8 months. I have been on nights and am depressed, exhausted, and feel like I don’t have any type of life outside of work. Going to days on my unit isn’t really an option. Today, I had an interview for the inpatient rehab unit within the hospital. I feel like I pretty much have the job. I do want to start going back to school for my MSN soon. My question is, do you think taking the rehab job will impact my resume negatively? For school and future jobs alike. I know it is less intensive skills wise, most patients are very stable, etc. I don’t know if I should take the job, or stay with medsurg.

[caliotter3]

How do you feel about it? Your opinion is the one that counts. FWIW, depressed and exhausted says a lot. There was a reason you starting looking. As far as I see it, when going from one job to another, versus ‘advancing’ one’s career, hiring personnel tend to place their own staffing needs ahead of concerns over the applicant’s proper career goals. For me: I go from job to job, from being unemployed or underemployed to hopefully better employed. I gave up on a desirable ‘career’ path a long time ago. If a career is still within your reach, there is nothing wrong with taking a breather in an easier job while you finish school and look for a better career move. Good luck.

[samiam7898]

Rehab is no less intense than most other types of nursing. At my facility we have a higher ratio than other units. None of the patients are able to ambulate themselves to the bathroom, or even move from the chair to the bed on their own, as they can on other units. Many need extra help due to the circumstances that brought them to rehab. CMS quidelines are very strict on criteria for admission to IPR. Patients are sicker than ever before. I compare my unit to a typical med/surg unit with the addition of working with and around therapies.