Help my life and career are in shambles

Dear Nurse Beth Advice Column - The following letter submitted anonymously in search for answers. Join the conversation!

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I have been a nurse since 2013. I was a CNA prior. I have my masters and it seems pointless. when I first graduated with my bachelors, noone would hire without experience. how do you get it if noone lets you ? so I had to start off in LTC. nightmare. went to post acute rehab.. still bad.. then found a inpatient unit for a hospice.. loved it. stayed with a few hospices in about 3-5 different roles.. then did ER.. went back to hospice , then ortho medsurge, I've done 1:1 in home care for very ill kids... I failed my NP exam twice. I gave up. Im back in hospice but im beyond miserable . there seems to be nothing about nursing that makes me happy. I want to get my PALS back and go back to ER or go into peds.. again it kills me that in the world today hospitals hire new grads at drop of dime and with all my experience ( even as a paramedic prior to CNA) im still getting turned down or stuck in roles I hate. I only loved the bedside inpatient unit for hospice and now I just drive to their homes or facilities for their care and I have to drag myself out of bed. I give good care but the charting and all the petty stuff and driving is exhausting and I still have no money to pay loans, just filed bankruptcy and at 52 and sole provider , I don't know what to do with my life . I just want to be in a job thats exhilarating, fun and people don't back stab you. please help if you can

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

Your situation sounds incredibly challenging, and it's clear you've put a lot of effort and dedication into your career. Getting your master's is a huge accomplishment. As you get older and may want to move away from bedside care, you will be qualified for other roles. 

But let's get your career back on track. So you have 9 years of experience and a Master's degree, you love children and providing bedside care. What is hindering your career success and satisfaction?

Starting now, you are going to have to take progressive steps to turn this around and get to where you want to be.

  • Stay in one job. Build your work history. Changing jobs 8 or more times in as many years is crippling your career and hindering your landing a job. You are considered a flight risk to employers.
  • Financial security. You need to be in a job where you are financially planning for your future, whether it's a 401K or pension.
  • Examine your expectations. Jobs are not supposed to be exhilarating and fun. Hospice and sick children have never been described that way. Your job will not meet all your needs. Do you have healthy and supportive relationships?
  • Get counseling for your mental health.  Prioritize your mental and physical health. You may not have been taking care of yourself and your needs, and that's just not sustainable. Counseling can help you discover what's blocking your career success and satisfaction.

Here are some additional steps and strategies to help you find a more fulfilling and sustainable career path in nursing:

Self-Assessment

  • Identify what you enjoy. Reflect on the aspects of your career that you enjoyed the most. It sounds like you loved working in the inpatient unit for hospice and enjoyed the ER and peds environments. You studied for your NP, but don't mention being a provider as one of your goals.
  • Assess your strengths. Consider what your key strengths are. Is it patient interaction, hospice, emergency care, pediatric care, or something else?

Career Exploration

  • Specialty certification. You mentioned getting your PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) certification. Pursuing additional certifications related to peds, ER, or hospice can make you a more competitive candidate. Just be sure that your certification is is the speciality you want to stay in.
  • Consider non-traditional roles.  Explore roles in nursing that might not be on your radar. This could include case management, telehealth, clinical research, or nurse education.

Job Search Strategies

  • Leverage your network. Reach out to former colleagues, supervisors, or mentors. Networking can often open doors that a traditional job search cannot.
  • Tailor your resume. Make sure your resume highlights your diverse experience and focuses on the roles and settings you are passionate about. Emphasize your strengths in emergency and pediatric care.
  • Consult a recruiter. Sometimes, working with a healthcare recruiter can help you find positions that match your skills and interests.

Financial and Professional Support

  • Financial planning. Seek advice from a financial planner to help manage your debt and plan for the future. There might be ways to alleviate some of the financial pressure.

Education and Exam Preparation

  • NP exam prep. If becoming a Nurse Practitioner is still a goal, consider enrolling in a comprehensive NP exam prep course. Sometimes, a different study approach or additional support can make a significant difference.
  • Continuing education. Engage in continuing education courses that align with your interests and career goals. This can also help you stay updated with the latest nursing practices and improve your employability.

Explore Alternative Roles

  • Healthcare administration. With your extensive experience, a healthcare administration or management role might be fulfilling and less physically demanding.
  • Nursing informatics. Combining nursing with information technology, this field focuses on improving patient care through better data management.
  • Travel nursing: Offers the opportunity to work in different environments and might temporarily provide the change of scenery you need.

Final Thoughts

You have a wealth of experience and a solid commitment to patient care. By aligning your career with your passions and strengths, seeking support for financial and professional challenges, and prioritizing your well-being, you can find a more fulfilling and sustainable path in nursing.

I wish you the best,

Nurse Beth

 

 

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