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Discussion

Feeling Lost

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Hi everyone I could really use some advice. I have been working as a RN for 2 years and have not found my niche. I worked on a Neuro unit for 1.5 years and recently transitioned into Neuro/surgical/trauma ICU. Before I took this job I was contemplating between going ICU or ER. I got the ICU job first and thought it would be easier to transition into the ER later if I felt I still wanted to go. It has been 6 months and I just applied to the ER at my hospital. I have a bunch of friends in the ER and have made none on my current unit. I can't tell if its the patient population, ICU in general or the fact that I sit most shifts alone are the reasons I want to leave. I know I should try to stick it out 1 year before leaving, but several factors about being to the ER just sound more appealing. Still 12 hr shifts but I could work an evening shift, which sounds way better than staying on noc. And not to mention I just really want to work somewhere that I work hard while being with people I enjoy working with. I have such bad anxiety before going to work now because I feel so alone and I just don't think I like the ICU environment. Am I making a bad decision by leaving this early and thinking the grass will be greener in the ER? Again I have always been torn between both units and wasn't sure which would be the right fit until I did them. I have a pretty good chance of getting hired into the ER soon but I just don't want to jump ship this early and regret it and disappoint my manager. Thanks for any advice!

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    Hi there,

    I think you have reached the answer that you were looking for, just by writing it out. It sounds like moving to ER might be the direction you want to take at this time. Go For IT! Life is about living.

    You might find your direction changes again, that is okay. You won't know if you don't make the move. Be happy in what you do....it a learning curve.  Just remember....we all have good days and bad days in nursing - it happens to the best of us. Find your feet and settle and you may find you fit into the groove.  

    You can just say to your manager, I just don't feel ICU is a good fit for me....she will understand. You need to be Happy!

    Lets know how it goes?

    Brissygal

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    Life is too short to stay somewhere that you are unhappy with. If you are so unhappy that the thought of going to work is stressing you out, that's your sign that it's time for a change. There is really no harm in finding out an environment is not for you. 

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    • Author

    Thank you both for your thoughtful replies. I'm just scared I will move into the ER and not enjoy that either. Starting nursing during Covid has been challenging so I am just really hoping I made the right career change. Thanks again for perspective ?

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    Set your course. Believe in yourself and have a leap of faith!

    What is the worst that can happen.........it might not be what your looking for....but it might be the best step you have ever taken!

    Just remember to Breathe......it will be fine....we all continue to grow in our nursing profession, faced with obstacles and challenges along the way. 

    Work will always be busy and demanding and have you pulling your hair out...but working alongside other like minded professionals and serving the patients we have been trained to care for - makes it all worthwhile (its the people you meet that makes our jobs purposeful)!

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    • Author

    Thank you for your response! Reminding myself that I have no control over the future and growth in this field comes from being uncomfortable. I'm hoping I will get along better with the ER staff as I do not have the ICU personality. Thanks again!

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    I think you already know where you want to be.  You can always leave if it's not for you.  I always thought OB nursing was boring until I had to make a choice to work on a medical floor or OB. This was back in the 70s. I had always worked on a general surgical floor. I won't tell you how I compared the two but I decided on OB. I needed a day shift.  That was in 1977? By 1995 I was a certified nurse-midwife so you can see where that went.  There are so many choices in nursing these days. If you are where your heart wants you to be, you win and so do the patients that you care for. 

     

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    • Author

    Thank you for sharing your story ? Definitely gives me something to think about. 

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