Unfulfilled

[2bNurseguru]

I currently have a Master's degree in Nutrition and I make a decent salary About 40K in the midwest. But although the job is very flexible (i make my own schedule or work from home), I am very unfulfilled. I hated this subject when I was in high school (did not even take it). When I went to undergrad, I was forced to take it since it had more teaching opportunities. I taught high school for 2 years. I then ended up in grad school in the USA doing the same thing--it was the only way I could make it to grad school and did not know much else--I am from another country.

I endured through grad school hating every part of it. It was very challenging and is still is teaching people about foods that are strange to you. It is very frustrating when you are teaching a class about what foods to avoid if you are diabetic and someone asks you about a food that you have no clue what it is. I would say I still don't know about 30% of the foods in US. I hate this career and the subject I teach but I like the flexibility.

I have thought about nursing but my husband has discouraged me from it due to the odd working hours, working holidays and weekends and the stress.

I am now thinking about occupational therapy or nursing. I could qualify for the accelerated nursing option.

I could also qualify for a direct entry Master in Occupational therapy or Doctorate in occupational therapy but the school closest to me costs about $800 per credit hour. The doctoral program is 3 years and the masters is two years. I have 2 young kids but have no student loans currently.

What would you advice?

[vashtee, RN]

Maybe you can shadow a nurse and an occupational therapist each for a day, and see if either profession still appeals to you.

[Antikigirl, ASN, RN]

Think HARD and truthfully to yourself on WHY your chosen profession now is the way it is for you emotionally! This will be key in choosing another!!!!

Heck, the first thing I though of, especially when I read about the diabetic...is "well if she gets dissapointed knowing they getting this valuable info and not listening...oh man welcome to my world!!!!". Heck, I can't get people to adhere to changing their dressings right, eating right, excersizing right, going to their MD's regular, treating their conditions, getting and taking their meds, or any part of their nursing plans!!!!!!! It is very upsetting...makes you feel unappreciated and "why the heck do I bother"!

If that is a big part of it...you may want to look into something other than bedside or direct patient care related! Or something outside of medical...

Be very honest with yourself on your reasons for feeling unfulfilled..that will help guide you well!!!! Don't feel guilty either...it is a part of yourself..and to yourself you can NOT lie...it will come back and bite you!

Good luck! AND thank you so much for the job you do! I do appreciate you and I work with our dietitions (to their shock..LOL!) because I find it as valuable as me sputtering off the meds the MD orders for them...if not MORE! Bless your heart!

[TeleNurse2010]

I completely understand how you feel, as I felt the same way for a long time. I have begun the journey to becoming a RN and begin my program in August. I was considering Nursing and Pharmacy and after doing research on both careers, as well as speaking to individuals in both professions, I finally decided on Nursing. I too have a bachelors degree in another field and several courses towards a Masters (which I stopped once I realized I didn't want to work in that field). I advise you to really research both fields and see if you can shadow some professionals that work near you so that you may get an idea of what it's like to work in the profession. This website has tons of useful information for nursing, and I'm sure that you can find a great website for Occupational Therapists as well. Really think about why you want to be a nurse or OT and try to envision yourself doing the job. Don't jump into a career change unless you are absolutely sure that's what you want to do, or you'll find yourself in the same boat again in a few years.