Feeling stuck in current RN position

[ddrn97]

I started nursing at a large hospital in the float pool about 8 months ago on nights as a new grad. I found med surg to be a drag. I’m not sure how I feel about floating it has it’s pros and cons. My manager has a 3 year rule/contract and I can’t transfer or go anywhere no exceptions. I feel unhappy and stuck like all I have worked for in school is going to waste. I feel that this 3 year “verbal” contract is ridiculous. They have denied transfers and have given other floats who wanted a change a really hard time. If I quit I will be blacklisted from this large organization which consist of most of the hospitals in my area. I was thinking of going per diem and finding something outpatient to do full time instead while still technically fulfilling my 3 year obligation at my current job. Problem is I know that there is a certain amount of time a nurse has to wait before switching to per diem here. I was hoping it was only one year but I have a feeling it is two years. I work nights and somehow magically before each shift lately I can barely sleep and my health and well being is suffering. Going to days I feel won’t help much since I feel like anxiety about work is mainly the problem. I just feel stuck and don’t know what to do. The thought of suffering through another 2 years of this makes me feel sick. All areas of my life are suffering right now. I wish I researched a little more about what I was getting into before I started this job and now I feel like it’s too late. I know I haven’t even hit a year yet but I feel like if I don’t like it now I don’t predict feeling better anytime soon. I have posted about this before and am trying to give it time but still feel the same way. I have some good shifts where I feel like being a nurse makes me feel good and that I’m making a difference and other times where I wonder why I got myself into this. I don’t think it’s me not liking nursing as much as it is feeling like I have no options while knowing there are so many more options out there which I’m cut off of now. Anyone else ever find themselves in a similar situation? Advice please?

[ahlee, BSN, RN]

Hi!

I feel like what you're going through right now is so common among us new grads. I'm a new grad too and am feeling some of the things you are feeling right now, but I heard it should get better after the one year mark! I'm not sure where you are located, but I'm pretty sure it's illegal to have those sorts of contracts. My advice would be to stick it out for a couple of more months and wait till you reach that one year mark, and start looking for a different position elsewhere if you are still feeling the same way. What other specialties you are interested in?

I know things are so much easier said than done, but I'm sure you're doing great ? Nursing is definitely a challenging-but rewarding-position, and working in an acute care setting can get very stressful. One thing I like to do when I'm feeling the way you are feeling is to remind myself why I chose nursing in the first place.

I hope I was able to help in some sort of way!

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

19 hours ago, ddrn97 said:

If I quit I will be blacklisted from this large organization which consist of most of the hospitals in my area.

Are you unable or unwilling to make a major move? It seems to be a recurring theme with new grads on this site. They either spend 6 mo trying to find a job in their area or take a job in a specialty they do not like just to be employed. They don't want to make a major move and leave behind their family and friends to pursue an area that has jobs in a specialty they would enjoy. I understand that many people have reasons that they can't move (kids and spouse's job), but with 1-2 yrs experience you could find a job somewhere in the country that you would enjoy.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

On 5/14/2019 at 7:42 PM, NICU Guy said:

Are you unable or unwilling to make a major move? It seems to be a recurring theme with new grads on this site. They either spend 6 mo trying to find a job in their area or take a job in a specialty they do not like just to be employed. They don't want to make a major move and leave behind their family and friends to pursue an area that has jobs in a specialty they would enjoy. I understand that many people have reasons that they can't move (kids and spouse's job), but with 1-2 yrs experience you could find a job somewhere in the country that you would enjoy.

This. AND you could find it and secure the offer before you ever give notice.