Help? I need a change!!

[BrookeeLou_RN]

I have been a RN for 23 yrs. I started in L&D at Teaching hospital, then OB/GYN, LTC(mgmt), Infection Control/Employee Health, Antepartum and many yrs of Home Health from staff, to Clinical Supervisor. Home health was spaced through out career and most current in last 9 yrs. I like home health but so tired of being "Road Warrior". I enjoy OB/GYN best but this is oldest experience. I am physically unable to do 12 hr nights. Everytime, I apply for something different, I get the "over-experienced" or "not right experience" routine.

I have RN to MSN program lined up but realized I am not sure I want to be a nurse any longer. Need a new specialty or maybe become PTA or OTA. There are tons of therapy jobs and pay better than I make as RN. And I like how therapist are treated!

Please make suggestions, give me ideas or just tell me I am losing my mind!

Thanks to everyone!!!

[juzme]

firstly, a big hug to you! OMG, I go through that about every other week:eek: It is like I need to take a step back and give my self a pep talk about nursing and why I became one, because I really do love to help people:) I actually looked into becoming a chef! I really looked into and I came to the conclusion that it wasn't for me. Sometimes I really think, if I know I can escape nursing, if i have other choices, if I want them, it makes me get a whole new appreciation for nursing. If this did not happen, I guess, I would have to go for another career. So yes, look at your options and see if they make you think twice about remaining a nurse, if they do, maybe you do need to do something else.

Good luck in whatever you decide!

a friend in nursing

[Zaphod, BSN, RN]

Speech is a great field, but it does require a 2 year masters. Good schedules, respect and decent pay.

[doune]

I feel the same way too eventhough i've only been a nurse for two years... I want to change career but don't know what to change it to.

[enchantmentdis, BSN, RN]

Go for the ot/pt route. You're right-they are treated well and make more than nurses and their stress level is low compared to nursing.

[BrookeeLou_RN]

Let me go into alittle more detail, I have had the burnout all thru career(as we all do) but since I am good at it and Who knows what else I could do??....So I stuck with love/hate thing. This time it is paralyzing....I am signed up to do RN to MSN online as Nurse Educator ( leaning towards Professional Development) I would do this well but can not move forward, so I put it on hold till Jan. First half of this yr cared for dying father, now terminal mother.

Speech would not be my thing..OTA/PTA is still on list.

Also I am 54 yrs old and all that loan money just sorta seems silly, but I love learning so I know I can do it but is it sensible thing to do, and I need to work as I am widowed, I appreciate anyone who even reads this so much.

[Runman1914, MSN, RN]

Let me go into alittle more detail, I have had the burnout all thru career(as we all do) but since I am good at it and Who knows what else I could do??....So I stuck with love/hate thing. This time it is paralyzing....I am signed up to do RN to MSN online as Nurse Educator ( leaning towards Professional Development) I would do this well but can not move forward, so I put it on hold till Jan. First half of this yr cared for dying father, now terminal mother.

Speech would not be my thing..OTA/PTA is still on list.

Also I am 54 yrs old and all that loan money just sorta seems silly, but I love learning so I know I can do it but is it sensible thing to do, and I need to work as I am widowed, I appreciate anyone who even reads this so much.

Nlmoore,

I totally appreciate and understand what you are going through. I have been in nursing 17 years . Im very very very seriously considering going the OTA/PTA route. Im even looking into schools in my area. I feel burnout now more than ever. I have been jealous for years of PT and OT people with cake jobs and almost zero patient responsibility.

Best wishes on what ever you decide!!