Clinic not for me?

[erika.RN]

Hi there! First time poster here, although I've lurked tons! :)

I am a new grad RN-BSN, have been a LPN for 5 years-worked in long term care. I took an office job a few months ago as a float nurse at a large clinic. I took the job because the benefits, schedule and hours seemed perfect for what I was looking for. I am 26 and pregnant and really wanted family hours. When I interviewed at the clinic I was told I would get "SO much experience" in all the different areas they had as a float nurse. So far I have been to internal medicine and OB where I've done nothing but room patients, answer the phone and give the occasional shot. I have not been to the infusion center, urology, cancer center, or anywhere I was guaranteed I'd get to go and use my new skills. On top of that I am encouraged NOT to apply for a permament office position because of the fact that I am pregnant and they don't want to have to find the coverage for when I am on maternity leave.

The problem mostly seems that I am mentally not stimulated and find myself very bored and un-challenged. Most days I am "training" so I am shadowing another nurse all day long. It's so mentally draining and boring to me, I find myself looking at the clock. When I am actually covering for a nurse, I find I do enjoy the job a lot more.

I am a very quick learner, and I have been told that I am doing a phenomenal job, so I know they won't want to lose me there. However the hours are 8-5 and I have a half hour-35 minute commute there. I am not looking forward to being away from my new baby for 10 hours a day when the time comes. My husband keeps telling me most people do not like their jobs and to stick it out, but I feel like nurses should be different-and that they should really enjoy what they do.

I am just so torn. I don't want to work nights or holidays at a stressful hospital, but I don't want to be miserable either.

Any insight? Maybe clinic nursing just isn't for me?

[TheMoonisMyLantern, ADN, LPN, RN]

Honestly, I'd give it more time. It sounds like things maybe completely different once you're off orientation, I too hate orientation I just want to be allowed to go and do my job instead of having to follow someone else around. Also, where you are pregnant right now it may be good to just stay put and draw some extra income before you go on maternity leave. Best of luck with whatever you choose to do!

[erika.RN]

Thanks for your reply. I guess I should just re-iterate that I am actually not in orientation. See as a float nurse you are "trained" in an office for a week, and then you go back there and cover that nurse's vacation time. Then you are off to be trained in another office. So my training will never end. I am starting to get frustrated and just unhappy because they think you need 4+ days training in each office because all the doctors do things a bit differently. I am not afraid of doctors and if I have a question-I'll ask, and I can usually remember things fairly well.

Maybe your right though, more time is needed until I find a place I can call my "home" office. It's frustrating being a float and answer the phone and the patient on the other line says "Where's nurse ____, I don't want to talk to you, I want to talk to nurse _____"

*sigh*

[ayorenee]

I work women's health at a clinic and it can get very repetitive at times. Right now it is the best situation because I am in grad school and I have decent hours, great benefits, and holidays off. Being pregnant I would say to stick it out, give a minimum 6mo. if after 6mo. you are still not inspired, don't quit, just start looking for other jobs.

[sissib]

The best advice I can give is stay there and tough it out. In this economy all other nursing jobs are so stressed out, feel like they are pulled in 10 directions at once. You have your whole career in front of you and this could lead to something a lot more interesting than you may see right now. Hang in there and keep doing a fabulous job!