Feeling unfulfilled in my career.

[Sweetpea04, BSN]

 

Hi guys I'm a registered nurse.  

In my 20's.

 

I have been a nurse for 3 years. Most of my experience is in oncology and not really by choice. 

 

I originally wanted to work in an adult critical care unit, but after applying in my hospital I was rejected.. several times.

 

I did transfer at one point and transferred into a night job involving sick babies, where I did like it, but working night shift took a huge mental toll on me and it felt like a drastic change for me. I was really anxious working there. I quit after 7 months. 

 

So I transferred back to my old unit in adult oncology. I have a lot of regrets and mixed feelings about having done this. 

 

I have been back 9 months and I feel so unfulfilled there. I feel stuck and like I have no option other than to wait. 

 

I currently work part time at that oncology job, and I have 2 more jobs working per diem at an infusion clinic, and I also now have a work from home job on the side. 

 

Although I am very grateful to have the jobs that I do have... there are many moments I become frustrated with myself and regret having left the job with the babies, which is a hard unit to be hired into. 

 

I did like the area and I did like working with moms and their babies. 

 

I don't feel very passionate about my hospital job in oncology, which is my main form of salary, and I can't leave it because I can't transfer from it until April. 

 

My hospital job drives me crazy and I am very "burnt out" from the floor.. despite working only part time. 

 

I hate it and feel like I do the bare minimum everyday. The unit can either be really stressful, or it can be so underwhelming that I feel like I serve no purpose at my job because I am so unhappy with it. 

 

I have a lot of anxiety surrounding work. 

 

In a few months I will be eligible to transfer within my hospital, and I am 100% thinking of leaving again, but I worry I won't be able to find a job and stay here longer than I want to. 

 

Everyday I also apply to other hospitals in my city, but I don't get many interviews. I have applied to several other areas... and nothing. I feel like most jobs go to very new nurses or really experienced nurses. 

 

I worry a lot about my future and how dumb I feel for having left the job with the babies which could have been a great opportunity for me to grow as a nurse. 

 

Can anyone offer me advice?

 

I feel like a failure most of the time and like I am behind in my life for not having chosen a path. I come to work upset every single day. 

[FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN]

Well first of all, you are doing great. You are a successful RN in your 20s working in many different capacities. In no way, shape or form are you a failure.

You discovered that you like working with sick babies and their moms and that you hate night shift (me too) and dislike oncology.

It seems like there also may be other units you would enjoy, but you're not sure. You can transfer in April which is a breath away. 
 

It's not really waiting time, it's planning time. You need to get out of oncology, and the opportunity is about to open up. Time to start checking out other units you might enjoy, networking to get yourself in, etc. I think it's best to start in your hospital. Contact your old unit and tell them you left because you can't do night shift but you want to come back if and when days are available. Think about some other units you might enjoy, I'm thinking peds, mother-baby, L&D. Find out the names of the managers there and send emails or better yet show up in person and tell them you are looking to transfer and are interested in their unit. Can you come In to introduce yourself? Shadow? 
 

You got this.

[291tiger]

Feeling stuck doesn't mean you've failed. it just means this isn't the right fit for you. Focus on transferring in April and keep applying to jobs that match what you're passionate about. Soon enough, someone will take you. For now, take things one step at a time and give yourself room to figure it out.