****Off the bat, I don't intend for this discussion to deteriorate into a debate over which area of nursing is "real" and which isn't -- so I applogize in advance if this happens. ****
I've been working full time on an inpatient psychogeriatrics unit and, well, things are starting to feel a bit like the place is a pressure cooker (I'm sure you've all been there).
I have the option of cutting my hours down to part time (.6 EFT) for the sake of my sanity. I am very tempted. I'm looking at this as an opportunity to branch out a little.
As much as I love geriatrics, the work climate is absolutely psychotic (for lack of a better term). The drama of it all is killing me.
I applied last week for a (well we call it CASUAL up here) prn job as a street nurse in public health. I've always been facinated with the health promotion and risk reduction point of view of nursing. Plus the salary rules. If this doesn't work, I'll look for something else. What I'd really like to do is to get into counselling or else work in a sexual health clinic, but don't know if this is do-able.
I'm remembering back a few years, to a conversation with a friend of a friend of a friend who, held several jobs in nursing. She had her main, "career" job which was working in a busy ER and her "fun" job working in a dental clinic monitoring people under anaesthesia. I just loved her attitude. What a great way to ensure that you do not over-extend yourself, just limiting your time spent focusing on your "real-career" job and learing new skills at the same time.
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