Conflicted about an upcoming change

allnurses Guide · Sep 27, 2019

Ah, but what if this change is exactly what you needed? What if the lower pay means higher staffing and good people to precept you and help you through the transition? What if you fall in love with the patient population and finally, finally find your niche? What if you go on to learn so much that you have the ability to teach others about it too?

You have every reason to feel optimistic. Is it going to be easy? No. Are you going to love every shift? No. Are you going to feel like a new grad all over again? Yes. Are you going to sometimes doubt this move? Of course. But all of that aside, taking decisive action can be exhilarating. Sink into the strength that took you and trust in yourself. You can change again if it doesn't work out, so why not go into it having faith that you can handle whatever is coming? Because its true. You already proved you can.

Change is scary but its also exciting. Its the only way things ever get better. I have changed specialties and had it be a terrible idea. I then changed again and got super happy, even with the steep learning curve.

You got this.

AnnieNP, MSN, NP · Sep 27, 2019

Congratulations and good luck. Anxiety is normal with any change. Every time I changed positions I was always a little nervous but each change was an incredible learning experience and always led to something better.

Jedrnurse, BSN, RN · Sep 27, 2019

5 hours ago, Nurse SMS said:
What if the lower pay means higher staffing and good people to precept you and help you through the transition?

While I (theoretically) get the possibility of higher staffing because of lower payroll costs (though it hasn't been my experience) I can't understand how lower pay might translate to good people.

Can you flesh that out a little bit?

stren003, BSN, RN · Sep 27, 2019

You mention patient ratio's. Just to let you know, I worked med/surg neuro tele and we had 4 high acuity patients on days /eves and 6 at night. Most nurses on the night shift (myself included) almost never left on time. On the other hand, I did learn valuable skills and was glad for the experience, but quickly knew that specialty wasn't my niche. Good luck with your move and remember, you will need to give it a bit of time to know if it was the right decision. Neuro nurses have lots of skills to learn, which may initially seem overwhelming. But you already have great experience under your belt!

soigne, ASN, LPN, RN · Sep 30, 2019

Thank you everyone for the encouraging words! I'm still a little nervous and worry that I'm making the right decision (the pay cut being one of the biggest factors), but I know I won't know for sure unless I take a chance. My current patient load of up to 19 can be overwhelming. Even though it's inpatient psych, having that many with a portion of them being active detoxers can be overwhelming. So the thought of the 5 patient load average on the new unit I was offered seems wonderful, although I know the acuity will be high.

I will be sure to keep everyone updated. Thank you again!

allnurses Guide · Sep 30, 2019

Who Moved My Cheese is a fantastic read for anyone facing a big change.

Sour Lemon · Sep 30, 2019

On 9/27/2019 at 1:49 AM, soigne said:
Hello everyone. I'm conflicted and just need to get some things out to someone, anyone. I've been a nurse now for 7 years. 6 1/2 as an LPN and 6 months now as an RN. I've worked primarily long term care, rehab, and psych. I've been on my current unit for 6 months now and do not feel as though it's a good fit. Started off in adolescent inpatient psych and moved into adult inpatient psych with no fulfillment. Prior I was in geri-psych for 2 years.
I say all this because I'm about to make another big change and feeling nervous about making the right decision. I have yet to start orientation but I was offered and accepted a position with a different hospital network for a neuro med surg unit. The downside is that this position will be $5/hr less in pay, but seems challenging and interesting. I'm worried about making the decision to leave my network, taking the pay cut, and it not being what I envisioned it to be. I feel like a brand new nurse with my RN and wish I was staying in the place I started, but I know how unhappy I am. The nurse to patient ratio is sometimes too much with the acuity I work with currently at times. I want a smaller patient load and to utilize my skills while I gain new ones.
I suppose I'm trying to justify this change I'm about to make. Anyone else want to share stories of confliction of a new position that turned into a successful change? Thanks.

Have your psych patients also had acute medical issues, IV antibiotics, etc. or are they medically cleared? Have you had difficulty getting interviews and offers for acute medical units?
I do behavioral health and med/surg. I fear you're not going to have as much time to learn new skills as you think you might. 95% of the time, medical is "harder" and much busier.

I would consider the leap only IF it's an opportunity you really and specifically want, but can't find elsewhere. If that's not the case, I suggest that you keep looking around for something closer in pay to what you're making now- or just something that REALLY grabs you and is 100% irresistible.

On the flip side, I do think it's good that you're considering getting some med/surg experience. I think it's one of he best things we can do to make ourselves more marketable as new nurses. It also seems fairly easy to transition to more specialized areas for those who have the desire.

Good luck with whatever you decide. I do think you'll manage to successfully find your place one way or another.