tired of hospital nursing?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Heres my question-

I'm 35, and I'm tired of hospital nursing. I've been a labor and delivery nurse for about 9 years, and I'm thinking of changing to do something a little less stressful, like clinic nursing. The hours, no holidays, weekends etc REALLY appeals to me. I've got two little kids that I want to put to bed every night, and a husband that I feel like I never see. Plus, I'm exhausted and grumpie every weekend.

But, I'm worried that I'm going to regret not keeping up with my dream of labor and delivery nursing. It's what I went to school for.

But, I really want to change! help me -what do you think? :(

Specializes in Operating Room Nursing.

I know how you feel when you say you have regrets not keeping up with your dream. I'm going through the same thing right now where I'm considering getting out of OR nursing into something different. You have to think of your own mental health, if your not happy with what your doing then it's time to go IMHO.

Specializes in ICU.

there comes a time in everyone's life when it's time to put dreams aside for the greater good. i love critical care nursing, love walking the edge but i took a break for about 5 years and did dialysis. at the time it worked better for my family although i was sure god would strike me down for not using the skills and intuition he gave me. he didn't and now that the family is grown and more independant i'm back in the ICU where i belong. i didn't leave the dream, i just put it aside for a little while. :smokin:

What about a part time clinic job and staying prn on your current unit? Might be the best of both worlds. :) (Unless your unit has weekend/holiday/call commitments for their prn staff, that is!)

Specializes in LTC and Med/Surg.

I agree with ERNurse...you may want to consider that.

How about joining an OBGYN, it's a clinic and you get your hours, and it's still within your love for L&D

Specializes in ACNP-BC.

I am thinking the same thing for myself. I worked as an RN for 3 years doing med/surg/tele working mostly 3-11, with holidays and weekends on, etc. Now I am an NP and am working in hospital medicine, doing 12 hour night shifts...and although I like my job, I do not like the hours. Plus, I know we are going to be doing day/night rotating shifts soon, which make me even more apprehensive. I am still not even used to the night shift! I am seriously thinking about looking for an outpatient type of NP job, esp. one with more reasonable hours.

Specializes in ICU.

i don't think it would hurt to shop around a little bit to see what's available in a clinic setting - and perhaps you could use your l&d skills in an appropriate clinic, or try something a little different just for awhile

i don't see it as leaving a dream - just a minor rest stop to refuel;)

best of luck to you

Specializes in floor to ICU.

I have been nursing for 18 years. When I left a hospital job in 1994 for a government desk job I was worried I would "loose all my skills" etc... I eventually went back to hospital nursing after about 6 yrs. While I had no idea what a Pyxis was (I was used to an ol' school med cart!) I eventually picked up where I left off once I got my routine back.

Take a break and enjoy your kids. Stay on PRN if you like. You can always go back.

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