Help a nurse with 1 yr experience

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Specializes in COU, Rehab, ICU.

I need help finding a job in nursing. I have tried working in a hospital for the past 14 months as an RN. I graduated about 15 months ago from nursing school. I have worked in two different hospitals on 3 different units. What do i do next? Any suggestions? I can't work in a hospital setting. I am not good in the staff nurse role. I don't handle the responsibility well. I am getting overwhelmed and fail every time. Where might I go from here? With 14 months experience under my belt and a love of nursing, what do I do?

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Try office nursing. I worked in family practice for 13 years....thought I was missing out by not working in a hospital....hah. I learned more working side by side with physicians in the office than I have in the hospital environment. I miss the range of age...we saw infant to aged. You develop relationships with patients that you just dont have time for in the hospital environment. We had more inservices and education in the physician office than there is time for in the hospital. Hospital envronment---I have never seen so much disrespect and gossip from co-workers and physicians as well since working in the hospital. The pay....more in the hospital but the work is ....ridiculous. Daycare centers have mandatory ratios. Hospitals....cost effectiveness boils down to working the people to the point of physical breakdown. I moved 2 years ago from another state. Thought I would try hospital nursing. I love nursing, patients...respectable co-workers.....but I can honestly tell you...if you get with the right physician practice...you will learn alot. AND YES...OFFICE NURSES ARE REAL NURSES......not just MULES.

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Specializes in COU, Rehab, ICU.

Thank you for your valuable insight. I feel as you do about hospital nursing. I love the patients but the workload is devastating. Healthcare is a mess from every aspect of care. I am surprised the doctors manage to heal anyone, but they do. The doctors I have worked with do a pretty amazing job, despite the impossible pressures of their schedule. I have wondered about working for a family practice. You have given me a lot to think about. I really appreciate it. I feel like I have a new direction and I am excited about it!

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Specializes in Oncology, Med-Surg, Nursery.

I totally agree with the previous poster. I don't speak from experience, as I have only been a nurse for 5 months, but that is what I would do if I were in your shoes. I think it'd be great to work in an office, it is just office jobs in my area are hard to come by. Nurses stay a long time in that role it seems! :)

Best of luck to you!!

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Specializes in COU, Rehab, ICU.

How are you doing with your new profession?

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I don't know if the question was directed to me but....I have been in the hospital a year now. Recieved my first annual eval. I was surprised. It was really good and gave a lift to my spirits. I am my worst critic. I enjoy the patients, they are all veterans and I am a veteran myself. So, I enjoy that. Mostly, I am disappointed by negative co-workers. Also, admittedly, I miss the variety of the things you get in family practice the variety of ages, the variety of problems. I know it sounds negative but some days it is like "time to make the doughnuts"...never really a variation in routine. I do love when I get to work the hospice side, because I know I am making a difference there. Thanks for asking.

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