Frustrated and considering a career change

[xEdgexRNx]

I thought nursing was to be more than simply a career choice; it felt like my calling. After having several close family members and friends battle cancer and other serious illnesses (and being their caregiver), it seemed as though some higher being was leading me to my path: to be a nurse. Thus, I applied to an extremely competitive ADN program, graduated valedictorian of my class, took an NLCEX review course, and passed my NCLEX. Everything seemed to be going well . . . until I got laid-off from after 1.5m from a Medical-Oncology unit at a local hospital 2 wks after moving out on my own. I couldn't find a job for 4 months, save for very-PRN LTC and private-duty jobs that didn't pay the bills. Luckily, I landed a job as an RN in an alternative school. . . but was laid-off again b/c they wanted a Certified school RN.

So, in less than a year, I got laid-off twice and cannot find a job to save my life. I live in IL and have applied state-wide to every place I can think of---- from hospitals, clinics, schools, and even abortion clinics. Everything is either frozen or they only want BSNs, 3-5+ yrs experience, specialties, PRN/registry positions.... not ADNs (damn Magnet status requirements! lol). I've applied to a few places out of state, but even those hospitals would rather take a more experienced instate RN than an "inexperienced" out of state RN. Plus, I have no money for relocation---and relocation bonuses are not happenin' anymore!

Not only am I frustrated by the whole job aspect (so much for nursing being "great job security!"), but even the ROLE of the RN has changed.... it seems like RNs do less "patient care" and are instead more akin to a glorified secretary, pill pusher, supervisor, and MD b*tch. The CNAs are the ones who are able to spend the most time with the pts... RNs are running around, fielding phones calls, documenting, consulting with the numerous MDs each pt has, etc. I went into nursing to provide pt care----it's not like that anymore. RNs are SO overworked, underpaid, and inundated with pts and other tedious tasks.... where's the nursing? Plus, the stress of having someone's life rest upon your shoulders is enuf to cause major anxiety attacks!

I'm dismayed, frustrated, saddened, and burned out already from nursing. I jus started my RN-BSN completion program thru Chamberlain (I've completed 4 classes... lots more left to finish), but am seriously considering changing careers. I've always had a passion for teaching and am considering going into education instead. Or dental hygiene (u can work PT doing this and make more than an RN! Plus, very little stress!).

I need help figuring out what to do. My family thinks I havent given nursing enough time, but I've given it a year and all the signs are pointing towards a career change.... perhaps nursing isn't my calling? How do I know this for sure tho? I know the economy is bad, but seriously, how much more "red flags" can one be shown?

Should I finish my BSN? Should I switch majors and go into Education or Dental Hygiene? Any job searching advice (I've exhausted every option, I'm telling ya!)? I'm so upset that nursing has lead me down this horrible path, but perhaps this is god's way of telling me to go into something else?

[xEdgexRNx]

If you want honest feedback, here it is: your posts are sounding flaky. I checked out your other posts and multiple, similar threads.

You posted that you were "let go" from one hospital job because the manager said you "weren't a good fit" and you were vocal about your nursing philosophy versus your preceptors' nursing philosophy. You wanted to change your hours after starting your preceptorship because you didn't feel well on that shift. You were offered dialysis and apheresis jobs but you had problems with those jobs, too, like having "no life outside of work." You started the apheresis job and "hate it." You lost the school nurse job.

In one post you "hate hospitals" and in another you want an ICU job. Next, in another post you need a new car because one job requires a lot of commuting and you have a stick shift. (So what if you have a stick shift, just drive it and be grateful!).

You say you have concerns about nursing maybe not being your "calling" and that maybe "god" is trying to lead you elsewhere. I have another perspective. Maybe your multiple threads and posts reveal a pattern that you do not commit yourself to your work fully with a good work ethic, and you have unrealistic expectations.

Maybe nursing is for you, and maybe it isn't. I can't answer that. I do know that your posts and threads reveal a pattern, though, and if I were you, I'd look in the mirror for solutions.

Wow, that's rather harsh. Perhaps my confidence is extremely low d/t the fact that I've gotten laid-off twice since graduation. Perhaps my perceptions of nursing is wrong----the job is not at all similar to clinicals. Perhaps i DO have unrealistic expectations of nursing... but I dont think it's unrealistic to demand that nurses are given the time and resources to actually provide care to their patients instead of merely having enuf time to throw meds and them in order to cross off another task on their long list.

Before u judge someone and slam them based on assumptions, perhaps u should get the full background. U don't know the other stuff going on in my life, nor should it concern u. However, being a nurse, I would hope u offer your patients more empathy than u did me.

Anyway, I am truly burned out from nursing and I want to get away from the bedside, that is why I am completing my BSN (even though I am completely turned off from nursing at this point) with Chamberlain also. I hope that you are able to find a job or something that will benefit you and allow you to make some money because it is hard making it even with a job.

What are u planning on doing with your BSN? How are u liking Chamberlain and how much further do u have to go before graduating?

[quezen]

I do have a suggestion.

If you ever were to consider attending a BSN program, it would be good practice to practice communicating in a clear, standard English fashion.

I know that if you graduated Valedictorian, you know how to do this.

I know that Twitter and 'shorthand' spellings are in vogue, in some settings, and I am not saying I am against them, even congresspersons use this method of communication these days!

However, in this day and age of the ipod, forcing others to listen to your taste in music, whatever it may be, is just egotistical and bad manners.

In the same fashion, on this 'allnurses' site, with it's 'Preview Post', and spell check, communicating your opinions, whatever they may be, in a clear, standard English ( or Spanish, or German or what ever language you are educated in and choose to write in), is just good manners and shows respect for your audience.

Also, should you choose to further your education, do it to further your education, not to push off the inevitable day of financial reckoning by living it up on some more Student Loans.

One more suggestion. There is an organization that is hiring, that will forgive Student Loans, will give you free money for future Education, will give you free food, free housing, and will pay your way to get there.

Pick up the phone and call the Army.

They build upon the skills you have, but train you to do things their way. The Army has a great deal of experience training people, and they do it well.

Also, there is the added advantage, especially for 'undecided' youth.

You can't quit.

You MUST finish.

[NurseLay]

What are u planning on doing with your BSN? How are u liking Chamberlain and how much further do u have to go before graduating?

Well at first, I thought I wanted to do anesthesia, but when I shadowed I was bored and more intrigued by the medical side of it, but I think this is because the physician did the anesthesia plan and all of the nerve block and the CRNA (at this particular facility) only performed the induction (with the physician by her side) and managed the anesthesia through the procedure. I am planning on shadowing again, but not anytime soon because I am not working in the ICU anymore so I will wait until that happens, and I work nights plus chamberlain full time, and the extracurricular activities are minimal for me right now. Anyway, I met with a clinical research nurse, and I am thinking about going that route for a little while because I work with assist device patients and I love the device patients and the machinery itself. However, I wouldn't mind being like the cardiac transplant coordinator either, but one year of nursing experience and a BSN isn't going to get me there. I will complete Chamberlain's program in December of this year. I'm excite about that. I like it so far. It is a lot of work in a short amount of time. I started in March and I've been taking two classes per session, I went to a university for my ADN program that had a BSN program but I moved, so I had pretty much all the pre-reqs the asked for. I had to take the Soc 350 (I had intro soc, but apparently Chamberlain's is not intro), Econ 312 (haven't taken this yet) and a 2 credit residency requirement, and the rest are nursing classes that I had to take. You pretty much get out of the program what you put into it (as with anything). If you have any questions about Chamberlain, just PM me.

[Miss Mab]

Yeah, you'd be surprised at just how much the Army and other of our Armed Forces are actually not 'hiring' nurses at the moment. Or certainly, there is no quickie path for someone to go that route.

Of course, if you meant the OP should enlist in the Army, well, then I suppose you were suggesting she abandon her nursing education as all of the services(sans USAR I believe) would require a BSN in order to access and function as a registered nurse. Maybe you were meaning to suggest this? To enlist in an altogether different career field? I don't know, seems a tad extreme to the situation but always an honor to serve...

Anyway, OP, I don't know anything about your posting history or your personal life and can only respond to what you were addressing here and to that I would only say this; nothing you described as to the current state of 'nursing' is unrealistic or too terribly off base and it is a healthy thing to be seeking out your options.

I vote for keeping your license but applying your ADN general ed credits toward whatever degree field at the bachelor's level that appeals and to go on from there.

There are certainly some good places to practice as a nurse but your concerns are too entirely represented across units, geographics, specialties, etc. to even pretend that your concerns aren't both realistic and, sadly, likely to continue.

There is no shame in change. Perhaps it's easier now to understand how there could have ever been a nursing 'shortage' back when you entered school while there were a million(?)RN's with inactive licenses.

[reboo]

I totally agree with everything you have written. I have often thought of using a little tablet like waitress so I can remember everything a patient wants. Such as, ice cream, pop, ice, etc......oh and don't forget a side of percocet with all that...

[xEdgexRNx]

Yeah, you'd be surprised at just how much the Army and other of our Armed Forces are actually not 'hiring' nurses at the moment. Or certainly, there is no quickie path for someone to go that route.

Of course, if you meant the OP should enlist in the Army, well, then I suppose you were suggesting she abandon her nursing education as all of the services(sans USAR I believe) would require a BSN in order to access and function as a registered nurse. Maybe you were meaning to suggest this? To enlist in an altogether different career field? I don't know, seems a tad extreme to the situation but always an honor to serve...

Anyway, OP, I don't know anything about your posting history or your personal life and can only respond to what you were addressing here and to that I would only say this; nothing you described as to the current state of 'nursing' is unrealistic or too terribly off base and it is a healthy thing to be seeking out your options.

I vote for keeping your license but applying your ADN general ed credits toward whatever degree field at the bachelor's level that appeals and to go on from there.

There are certainly some good places to practice as a nurse but your concerns are too entirely represented across units, geographics, specialties, etc. to even pretend that your concerns aren't both realistic and, sadly, likely to continue.

There is no shame in change. Perhaps it's easier now to understand how there could have ever been a nursing 'shortage' back when you entered school while there were a million(?)RN's with inactive licenses.

Thank u for the support... I must admit, I am quite taken aback by the rude and hurtful responses I am getting by some of the nurses here. Perhaps they are taking my original post as a criticism to their career and/or as a personal attack---which is not the case whatsoever. The post is about MY feelings regarding nursing d/t my experience thus far, as well as my desire to embark on another field. But personally attacking me is uncalled for and downright inappropriate. If u have nothing nice to post, then don't bother wasting the time to post it.

Armed forces is not an option for me, for reasons I will not disclose. Plus, u need a BSN to be a nurse.... otherwise, u are just a medic. Sure, it will still provide much experience and great benefits, but again, this is not an option for me.

I will keep my license active, of course. But my dilemma is to try to stick it out, in hopes things will turn around, or take this as a sign to move on to something else---something I've wanted to do for a while, but was persuaded otherwise.

[NurseLay]

I totally agree with everything you have written. I have often thought of using a little tablet like waitress so I can remember everything a patient wants. Such as, ice cream, pop, ice, etc......oh and don't forget a side of percocet with all that...

Haha, yeah I know. I had a patient telling me what she wanted. Then her brother had the audacity to say "Oh and can you get me two cups of sherbert and a pepsi" I couldn't believe it. I complied like a good little waitress, I mean nurse, and got the guy some dang on sherbert and pepsi.

[NurseLay]

take this as a sign to move on to something else---something I've wanted to do for a while, but was persuaded otherwise.

If you know of something else that you want to do, but have let others persuade you, I say go for it. No sense in being unhappy. I am a medical person and I don't want to do anything else but contribute health care. Again, I've professed my love for the devices and I have actually been contemplating the pursuing biomedical engineering, however, I am married and my husband is trying to pursue his first degree and I think it would be very selfish to go and get a second bachelor's degree when he doesn't have a first. Therefore, for my situation, I am trying to focus on other ways to contribute to health care with my nursing degree without doing bedside care.

[xEdgexRNx]

If you know of something else that you want to do, but have let others persuade you, I say go for it. No sense in being unhappy.

Very true. I'm just afraid that the same thing will happen as did with nursing: that I will have built up this image of teaching in my mind, yet when I actually start my career, I will be sorely disillusioned. What if I am giving up on nursing too soon? What if I just havent found my niche? These questions are unanswerable, which makes this decision that much more difficult. And it's not like I can shadow a teacher now b/c it is summer. Plus, shadowing doesn't give u the full feel of the job.

Ugh, I get so jealous of the people who knew what they wanted to do since they were little! How lucky they are!

[NurseLay]

Very true. I'm just afraid that the same thing will happen as did with nursing: that I will have built up this image of teaching in my mind, yet when I actually start my career, I will be sorely disillusioned. What if I am giving up on nursing too soon? What if I just havent found my niche? These questions are unanswerable, which makes this decision that much more difficult. And it's not like I can shadow a teacher now b/c it is summer. Plus, shadowing doesn't give u the full feel of the job.

Ugh, I get so jealous of the people who knew what they wanted to do since they were little! How lucky they are!

Well you do have to answer the questions for yourself, and you can't really do that because you don't have a job right now. Which grade level do you want to teach? I you don't mind college Chamberlain has a newly accredited MSN program and you could be a nurse educator. Just a thought.

[Multicollinearity, BSN, RN]

Thank u for the support... I must admit, I am quite taken aback by the rude and hurtful responses I am getting by some of the nurses here. Perhaps they are taking my original post as a criticism to their career and/or as a personal attack---which is not the case whatsoever. The post is about MY feelings regarding nursing d/t my experience thus far, as well as my desire to embark on another field. But personally attacking me is uncalled for and downright inappropriate. If u have nothing nice to post, then don't bother wasting the time to post it.

Armed forces is not an option for me, for reasons I will not disclose. Plus, u need a BSN to be a nurse.... otherwise, u are just a medic. Sure, it will still provide much experience and great benefits, but again, this is not an option for me.

I will keep my license active, of course. But my dilemma is to try to stick it out, in hopes things will turn around, or take this as a sign to move on to something else---something I've wanted to do for a while, but was persuaded otherwise.

You started this thread saying you don't know what to do - not that you are sure you are done with nursing and just want support, or to vent. This is a common occurrence on this board; people ask for feedback then don't like the feedback they receive.

I felt badly for you until I read your multiple threads and posts and saw the pattern of multiple job flame outs in less than a year. From your posts and threads I saw a lot of excuses and an attitude that one's job should cater to them.

I submit to you that it IS empathetic to place ourselves in your shoes and then give you honest feedback and point out the pattern you may not see yourself. I'd want others to tell me if I had a pattern of excuses and failures that I didn't see.

Do you understand that many other new grads could have taken one of the jobs you had and would have had a totally different perception? Another new grad might have maximized the positive, diminished the negative, been receptive to training, and just dug in to make the job work?

Good luck with what you do.

[Moogie]

Well you do have to answer the questions for yourself, and you can't really do that because you don't have a job right now. Which grade level do you want to teach? I you don't mind college Chamberlain has a newly accredited MSN program and you could be a nurse educator. Just a thought.

No offense intended here, but please don't go into nursing education solely if you're burned out at the bedside---especially if you don't have a whole lot of experience. Some of the worst educators I have known---as a student and as an instructor---were those who "hated" nursing and got into teaching because they "despised" the bedside. Some had very little clinical experience and, while they were able to lecture about nursing, they lacked practical expertise and therefore lost credibility, especially in the eyes of students who were climbing the educational ladder from LPN to RN or RN to BSN.

Just my