Did I make the right choice?

Specialties Public/Community

Published

OK so here is the deal. I've always lurked on these forums and started posting towards the end of nursing school.

After I graduated, I got a job on a medical floor in a community hospital- the same hospital that I did my 3 month practicum at (400 hours...for an MSN program. It was a lot)

It's been almost a year since I started and it's been extremely rough. Patient ratios range from 1:5 - 1:6 - new grads don't normally get 6 patients but since I've been deemed a "great" nurse I get stuck with 6 often (gee thanks!). I was getting so burnt out at work...rude patients, cleaning up poop and pee non-stop because of understaffed techs, equipment that doesn't work and condescending (and incompetent) doctors making terrible decisions for patients. About a month ago I decided to start applying for other jobs...

I've always been interested in public health and psychology. I decided to go out on a limb and apply to an outpatient psychiatric nursing job - I interviewed and absolutely loved everything about it. Office job, M-F from 8-5 with state benefits and a good pay increase.

I put in my two weeks a few days ago at the hospital...after weeks of coming home crying and so stressed after work I decided it was the best thing for me. I couldn't believe it though - my boss started CRYING when she found out! It was very dramatic. We talked for about 15 minutes and I'm leaving on good terms...but it was emotional.

Now it's Sunday night and I have to start my last 2 weeks of work this week. I'm so nervous and am feeling like I made the wrong choice for some weird reason. Make me feel better!? Do you all love community/public health nursing? It's been my passion but I'm scared of the change I'm making.

:arghh:

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

Change is scary. Every time I've put in my notice, or in the first few days of my new job, I've always though "OMG, I've made a huge mistake!" It's hard to start something new that you're not familiar with.

I love community health nursing. Good luck to you.

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Thank you so much- you've already made me feel much better. It's nice to know others have felt this way too! I appreciate your feedback :)

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Specializes in Emergency.

I recently left the ER and will be starting a Public health position soon. I am nervous too! Hoping I made the right choice. I liked the ER but didn't love it. I was good at it too. I am hoping to love PH nursing and am willing to give it a try. If I hate it I can go back to the hospital. Good luck to you!

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Your post indicated that you needed the break, so look at this as a necessary step. Much, much better than wondering what happened after being terminated. Go to your new job, relax, and enjoy your new environment!

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Specializes in Public Health, Maternal Child Health.

You did the right thing!! So have you started already? Don't worry, You will love working for a public health department! It was actually my first job as a new grad and of course went thru a "but omg I need acute hospital care experience!" But I've been there a year and I have no regrets at all and I am loving my job so much!! Although my job is very different from the position you took - I do home visits to pregnant women and little babies - your position sounds amazing and I hope you enjoy it. It is so rewarding to work with the community, especially if you have a passion for the underserved and vulnerable. Good luck with the new journey and please update us on how it goes!

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

It sounds like a very good fit for you. Unfortunately that's the only thing i can say as i left a great job for public health and realized right away it was very much not for me and i am now headed back to the hospital lol

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Mia415 - thank you so much for your supportive comment - I actually started this past week and my first day was Christmas Eve! I love it so far. I have a nice office where I see patients and have been asked to come up with a wellness workshop series for these patients as well to go over basic health promotion stuff (healthy diet, exercise, etc.). Your job sounds amazing! That's the great thing about nursing, so many options out there for wherever your passion is :) best of luck to you!

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Hi Dreamct,

How is the public health position so far? I'm considering making the switch too.

I recently left the ER and will be starting a Public health position soon. I am nervous too! Hoping I made the right choice. I liked the ER but didn't love it. I was good at it too. I am hoping to love PH nursing and am willing to give it a try. If I hate it I can go back to the hospital. Good luck to you!
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Hi Peachnurse22,

How was the transition to public health nursing?

I'm also considering making a similar transition :)

Mia415 - thank you so much for your supportive comment - I actually started this past week and my first day was Christmas Eve! I love it so far. I have a nice office where I see patients and have been asked to come up with a wellness workshop series for these patients as well to go over basic health promotion stuff (healthy diet, exercise, etc.). Your job sounds amazing! That's the great thing about nursing, so many options out there for wherever your passion is :) best of luck to you!
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I switched from the ED (level one trauma center) to public health and I LOOOVE it :)

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Hello, im a new grad, currently started working in a med surg floor. I like my job, but since nursing school I always new I wanted to be a Public Nurse. How much experience do I need, in order to be considered for a position? Do I need a BSN?

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