Hi! I don't post here very often (mainly just lurk!) but as of May 2014, I am a proud owner of my BSN. I went into nursing because I have a passion working with people with special needs and kids in general. I spend a lot of time volunteering at camps, ect and I love it. If I could just do that forever than I would - you don't even have to pay me! THAT is how much I love it.
I really dislike medsurge. In fact, I never liked any of my rotations in the hospital. I was recommended for a medsurge postion by one of my professors at the end of that summer. I scheduled an interview before she even really looked at my application. They made the job sound really appealing so I thought, what the hay, I'll give it a shot. I was even excited about working nights. Really, I was.
But that wore off after about 2 months. And the truth is, I really dislike it. It's not that it's too hard, it's not that it is too stressful, I just don't like it. I hate pushing meds all night long. Every once in awhile, a patient will start having a conversation with me and what do you know, the call lights start going off because someone, somewhere needs something. So I usually leave the patient I am talking to high and dry. Or if I do finish the conversation, I **** about 5 people off. The patient, the secretary, the aids, the other nurses. I dread morning because I know the snappy people in lab are going to call and tell me my patient has a critical lab value. And the doctor that I wake up (because it is mandatory) will just shrug me off so they can go back to sleep.
One night I found myself sitting in the bathroom with the lights off. I had to say a prayer, take a few deep breaths and force myself to go back out there because to be honest, I could give two craps if certain patients get there pain meds. Not when they ask me every dang hour. And giving heparin and protonix to every single person at 6am, no thanks, I'm over it. I know it's important, but really, I have to force myself to put on a happy face as I go into those rooms. And I always hope they aren't too chatty first thing in the morning because really I just want to do my 6am med pass, finish my charting, and leave. Quick.
IT IS NOT FOR ME. I decided that since I dislike my job so much, well I need to find a new one! So I went around to literally 20 different places: allergy clinics, surgical centers, doctor's offices, and I have been scowering jobs online like my life depended on it. Out of all the places I went, I got 3 somewhat promising replies (but again, nothing is ever certain). I'm really hoping one of the allergy clinics will call me back because honestly, it does sound interesting! I've done a little research on what it is they actually DO because I don't want to get stuck at another job I don't like.
Part of me knows I should do the "right" thing and keep this job. I am making good money, I'm learning new things, these people went through the time to train, not to mention that they are counting on me. (Especially when 30 people have quit in 12 months and the rest are slowly dropping off too).
But part of me thinks, you know what, I worked my butt off for 5 years to get this degree if I am not happy - WHY AM I STAYING?
So I am asking you all, people who have quit possibly been in nursing longer than I have been alive, when do you know? How do you decide - do what I should? Or do what I want? I know ultimately it's my decision but well, I'm up for opinions!
I got through nursing school and vowed to myself I would do my best to never set foot in a hospital, and I did manage that for 17 years. I started out in home health to get SOME inkling of medical/surgical, but in two years I went to psych, which is where I wanted to go and stayed there. I did work in hospitals but now that I did acute med/surg/oncology I can say psych ain't a hospital job (at least in my book :) ).
That's the beauty of nursing -- SO MANY places to work :)
I stayed at the 'never gonna work acute care in the hospital' job for six and a half years. It didn't start getting 'boring' until the last year, and I really pushed hard through it, not really getting it that I just don't like it. I liked the hospital, the coworkers, management was good, the patients were fantastic. But I just don't LIKE it. I'm so glad I did it, it opened up doors for me to work in a lot more kinds of areas. I have no regrets and am now going into private duty with kids -- something I've never done and seems exciting (I know, ha!).
I'll miss the money of hospital work, but my kids are grown and I don't need to make money hand over fist at this time. Quality of life is about balance for me, not money piling up while I drag myself bodily through another shift and just want to go home.
Go for it, do what you want, don't believe anything about 'losing your skills', I'm a great example of how that ain't gonna happen -- and good luck!
Gooselady, BSN, RN
601 Posts
I got through nursing school and vowed to myself I would do my best to never set foot in a hospital, and I did manage that for 17 years. I started out in home health to get SOME inkling of medical/surgical, but in two years I went to psych, which is where I wanted to go and stayed there. I did work in hospitals but now that I did acute med/surg/oncology I can say psych ain't a hospital job (at least in my book :) ).
That's the beauty of nursing -- SO MANY places to work :)
I stayed at the 'never gonna work acute care in the hospital' job for six and a half years. It didn't start getting 'boring' until the last year, and I really pushed hard through it, not really getting it that I just don't like it. I liked the hospital, the coworkers, management was good, the patients were fantastic. But I just don't LIKE it. I'm so glad I did it, it opened up doors for me to work in a lot more kinds of areas. I have no regrets and am now going into private duty with kids -- something I've never done and seems exciting (I know, ha!).
I'll miss the money of hospital work, but my kids are grown and I don't need to make money hand over fist at this time. Quality of life is about balance for me, not money piling up while I drag myself bodily through another shift and just want to go home.
Go for it, do what you want, don't believe anything about 'losing your skills', I'm a great example of how that ain't gonna happen -- and good luck!