Do I want to climb this ladder?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Informatics, Critical care.

I have been a nurse for 14 years. Critical care, peri-operative, informatics nursing, now informatics physician support. It's been good to me. This career is part of who I am as a person, as a woman, as a human. I am really climbing the ladder lately and while I am proud of my success, I am starting to wonder if I want to climb this ladder?

I love nursing. I left the bedside because the informatics opportunity was a great one and I was ready for a new challenge. Informatics is the place to be and is in demand in my area. I transitioned to physician support because I found myself doing that anyway. I have always had a great report with providers and can communicate with them effectively when others fail.

I recently finished my MSN and have been walking through the proverbial opening doors for a couple of months with new opportunities that expand my knowledge, make me more visible to the system, and grow my professional network. It is extremely flattering and challenging. I'm up to the challenge. The disheartening truth is that I do not believe I WANT it.

My boyfriend is looking for employment nationwide after a lay-off so my time in this role is limited. This introspection was brought on by the question "What jobs do I apply for when we move?" I find the creative, right-brained side of myself is slowly withering away in favor of spreadsheets, metrics, data and strategic planning. I find myself looking at jobs on employment sites that include key words like "writing", "creative", and "flexible". I will appreciate any ideas. And also, if anyone knows of a creative writing job for nurses I'm game! Everyone wants experience, which is understandable, but that is a vicious circle because you have to HIRE me so I can GET experience!

So the question I will pose to the masses is this:

In working up the ladder of corporate success, how do we nurture our creative spirits, in a job that is not usually creative, and still make a living and be happy?

Best holiday wishes everyone. Remember to take time to nurture yourself while you are so busing giving your all to your patients this season. Many blessings!

-Amanda

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Hmmm...great question. I did the MSN (management and leadership) first because I thought I wanted to climb the corporate ladder. However, I found that those on the top rungs were pretty bitter people with poor attitudes and a business acumen that made money for the organization. The pts seemed to suffer though.

I am happier in pt care.

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Specializes in Informatics, Critical care.

Thanks! I just feel a little lost. I've worked so hard to get to this point and now to realize I'm not really happy doing it, and I don't know what else to do is very disheartening. :( Transitions can be tough but I'm looking forward to the next chapter, wherever that is!

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Consider doing what you're good at for a day job, but nurturing your creative side by writing for nursing journals. Nursing informatics, EHR, forensics/audit trails, and all that are verrrrry hot topics in many journals now. You could also consider opening your own consulting firm to help attorneys (plaintiff and defense) deal with EHR and all that other stuff, and do quite well on comparatively few hours. You could have some fun with it. PM me if you're interested, I have a few contacts. :)

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Specializes in Informatics, Critical care.

Thank you so much GrnTea! I have always had an interest in legal consulting and forensics. I do a lot of volunteer work with the crisis center here so the legal aspect of healthcare has always been on my radar.

I'm new to this site... how do I PM you?

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Specializes in Informatics, Critical care.

I have not posted enough on this site yet to be allowed access to the PM feature. Feel free to email me at [email protected]. I'm happy to take suggestions. Thank you so much!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

GrnTea is right on the money... your job is not your life. Creativity urges can be met in a variety of ways. I remember an elderly relative saying - in response to a young-un whining about his job - "It isn't supposed to be fun - that's why they call it work".

Me? I'm a nurse educator. My job is very creative and never dull or routine.

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Specializes in Informatics, Critical care.

Thank you HouTx. I am looking at education but I think the crux of the problem is that I am burnt out on being in a hospital. I would love to do some full-time advocacy, non-profit, crisis intervention work and write in my spare time, but for now that will not pay the bills. :( I will continue to look for opportunities and hope that someday i will not spend 50+ hours in this building! :) Thank you all

Let's keep the ideas coming. We have to take care of our own!

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